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When your iPhone's memory is full, flash drives are a reliable way to store and transfer data from your iPhone without the need for monthly fees or an internet connection. Flash drives with lightning connectors allow you to directly connect and transfer data from your phone to the flash drive to clear up precious storage space or transfer data from your iPhone to another device.
To find the best flash drives for your iPhone out there, we researched what's out there and picked seven of our favorites. We especially liked the Sunany flash drive for its versatility and its ease of use according to rave reviews. We have six other flash drives that made it onto our list, so read on to find the best one for you! And if you want some more advice on how to find a good flash drive for your iPhone, check out our buying guide at the end.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
Your flash drive will be storing important data from your iPhone, so you want to make sure you're getting the most out of it. Here are some points to keep in mind to help you find your best flash drive.
When looking for a flash drive for your iPhone, make sure to check for the “Made for iPhone” (MFi) certification that indicates that Apple has confirmed that the flash drive is compatible with iPhones.
This is important to do because flash drives that are not certified run the risk of not working properly or damaging your phone entirely. Connecting a normal USB flash drive using a Lightning-to-USB cord is not likely to work because most flash drives are not MFi certified.
Flash drives come with their own unique app to transfer content from your phone, so you want to make sure that the app is easy to use or understand. Some apps have an in-app camera that will automatically save photos as you take them or stream movies while the flash drive is plugged in.
Different devices connect to different adapters, so checking what adapters the flash drive has is integral to getting the most out of it. Most flash drives have a USB adapter, which is compatible with most computers.
Many flash drives come with multiple adapters, like micro-USB or type C adapters that can connect to Android phones, cameras, and newer Macbooks.
More often than not, flash drives are compatible with the basic file formats, software, and iPhone models. However, you want to double-check that the flash drive you choose will support your iPhone model, data, and other devices.
Most, if not all flash drives for iPhone support the basic file formats like jpg, mp4, PDF, and mp3. Confirming that the data formats you want to transfer are supported is important for successfully using your flash drive. Most flash drives list out the supported formats, so you can always take a look.
One thing to note is that licensed materials aren't transferable due to the Digital Rights Management (DRM) system. Most media files downloaded by third-party applications are DRM protected. Some examples of licensed materials include iTunes data and library materials.
Most flash drives are compatible with recent Apple products and software. Sometimes, old iOS systems will not work with the flash drive's software. Conversely, there can be cases where newly released iPhone models or software clash with the flash drive, so peek at the software or device requirements as well as reviews for confirmation.
If you’re transferring private or sensitive data, you will want something that has protection. Consider the level of security you want, such as if both a password or Touch ID protection is required.
There is a range of storage space options available, from 32GB up to 1TB. If you catch yourself deciding between two storage options, sizing up is likely to be a better long-term investment.
According to iClick, 64GB can store approximately
Of course, it is important to keep in mind that these are averages that are to be used as a rough guideline. Factors such as the iPhone model and data type may affect the storage.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sunany External Storage Thumb Drive|128GB | $19.99 Low | A Handy Flash Drive With Different Color Options | ||
2 | PNY Duo-Link On-the-Go Lightning Flash Drive|128GB | $79.99 High | Charge Your Phone While You Transfer Data | ||
3 | HooToo iPhone Flash Drive |128GB | $33.99 Mid | Durable and Easy to Carry With You | ||
4 | TRYVAT Flash Drive for iPhone|256GB | $23.99 Low Mid | A Retractable Flash Drive for Portability | ||
5 | iDiskk Apple Flash Drive|128GB | $39.00 Mid | A Portable, Reliable Flash Drive Compatible With All Your Devices | ||
6 | SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive|128GB | $45.99 High Mid | Conveniently Use Your Phone While Plugged In | ||
7 | iDiskk Photo Stick for iPhone|128GB | $39.99 Mid | A Small, Straightforward Flash Drive |
This flash drive is equipped with four different connectors, giving you the opportunity to transfer data from your iPhone to any device you likely have. It boasts up to 80MB per second reading and 40MB per second writing speeds. It also comes in eight different color options to choose from!
A few reviewers thought the instructions could have been a little clearer. Others would have liked the flash drive to come with a cover to protect the connectors or a case to keep the drive safe.
Most reviewers loved how easy it was to transfer or store photos from their iPhones. Many were happy that they were able to conveniently transfer photos without the need for an internet connection.
This flash drive can be used to store data from your phone while you charge it. Using the associated transfer app, you can sync and backup important files like photos, videos, music, and contacts.
Some reviewers had issues with the transfer app crashing multiple times when trying to back up photos from their iPhone, although they didn't provide details as to their iPhone model or software, so it's difficult to pinpoint what may have been the cause.
Many reviewers praise the flash drive for how easy it is to use, especially when transferring data from an iPhone to a Windows computer where iCloud can be tricky to navigate. Other points of praise include fast transfer speeds and reliability.
This compact, aluminum alloy flash drive comes with a keyholder loop to make it easy to keep with you at all times. The flash drive's lightning port has four millimeters of extra length, allowing it to be easily plugged into phones that have cases on them.
For a handful of reviewers, the flash drive was not recognized by their phones or was unable to store the data they wanted to store. The flash drive didn't last long for others, with reviewers reporting that it stopped working after some time, ranging from after one use to after a year later.
Reviewers found the flash drive to be easy to use for storing or transferring photos and video. The app was said to be straightforward and was easy to navigate when transferring or accessing the stored data.
The design of the flash drive is pretty popular, but this one stands out because it's fully retractable, which protects the adapters and makes it easier to safely carry around. The flash drive is said to be waterproof, shockproof, and resistant to high temperatures, but we don't recommend testing this out.
Some reviewers found the instructions confusing and difficult to read because of the small print, which may make the flash drive difficult to use for those who struggle with technology.
According to reviewers, the flash drive did a satisfactory job in transferring data from their iPhones to their computers. The flash drive comes with a key holder, which is convenient for those who want to carry their flash drive around with them.
This flash drive is equipped with four different connectors: a lightning port, USB, micro-USB, and type C port, allowing you to connect to any type of device you may own. The related transfer app comes with an in-app camera feature that automatically backs up photos or videos as you take them.
The lightning connector isn't extended, so reviewers had to take their phone out of its case when they wanted to use the flash drive.
However, many reviewers reported that the flash drive worked perfectly for them and was easy to use. Most reviewers used the flash drive for storing photos to clear up space on their phone or to transfer data between devices and were satisfied with the flash drive for those tasks.
This flash drive features an interesting design that makes it easy to use your phone while leaving the flash drive plugged in. The drive automatically backs photos up via the transfer app, and there is also an in-app camera that allows you to save photos and videos as you take them. The flash drive comes in different two other USB models as well.
Reviewers ran into problems with data not actually being stored or transferred despite the app indicating that it was. Others found that the app crashed often when trying to download large amounts of photos.
Others found the flash drive to be perfect for saving their photos and freeing up space on their iPhones. Reviewers found the flash drive to be convenient and easy to use for transferring photos from the iPhone to other devices.
For those who want a simple flash drive to transfer data from their iPhone to a USB-compatible device, this is a great choice. You can look through photos or watch movies that are saved on the flash drive while it is plugged in.
The instructions were minimal, which led to confusion according to reviewers. It was difficult to figure out how to transfer content or what folder the content was in, and some reviewers even ran into issues of the app crashing or rendering the files unreadable.
Others were able to figure out how to use the flash drive and found the transferring process to be done quickly. Reviewers were satisfied that they were able to clear up storage space on their iPhones thanks to the flash drive.
Depending on how you use your iPhone, your photos and videos may not be what's taking up the most space on your iPhone - it might be the mysterious "Other" memory on your device.
The video above teaches you what's in that "Other" category (like cache files) and, more importantly, how to free up that valuable space.
Now that you're on your way to finding a flash drive to safely store the important data on your phone, take a look at our other recommendations for phone accessories and tools!
No. 1: Sunany |External Storage Thumb Drive|128GB
No. 2: PNY|Duo-Link On-the-Go Lightning Flash Drive|128GB
No. 3: HooToo|iPhone Flash Drive |128GB
No. 4: TRYVAT|Flash Drive for iPhone|256GB
No. 5: iDiskk|Apple Flash Drive|128GB
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