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The 6 Best Flash Drives For iPhones

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by Tiana Crump
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Amazon/Bustle

A flash drive makes it a cinch to back up files, photos, videos, and more, or transfer files between your smartphone and computer, and the best flash drives for iPhones are uniquely compatible with your smartphone and offer plenty of storage space. They'll also transfer between devices at high speeds, thanks to USB 3.0 technology.

When shopping, you’ll want to make sure that your iPhone model is compatible with the flash drive. Unlike a standard USB flash drive, you'll need a drive with a USB connector on one end and — if you have an iPhone 5 model or later — a Lightning connector on the other. And if you want to upload and transport files from cameras, a flash drive with a micro USB port can also be good to have.

Another consideration is the quantity and types of files you’ll be transferring. Here's a brief cheat sheet that can give you an approximation of how many GB of storage space you'll need:

  • 32 GB holds about 20,000 photos or 21 full-length movies
  • 64 GB holds about 39,000 photos or 42 full-length movies

Most of the choices below support USB 3.0 transfer speeds, which are significantly faster than the previous USB 2.0 technology. With that in mind, scroll on for my roundup of the best flash drives for iPhones that'll have you covered in the digital storage department.

1

The Overall Best Flash Drive For iPhones

Given its reasonable price tag and great functionality, the SanDisk iXpand flash drive is a fantastic option for most iPhone users. Download the iXpand app, and when you plug in the drive, it'll automatically back up files and allow you to move photos and videos off your phone, freeing up storage space. There’s also an option to use the in-app camera to instantly take and store photos. The drive is outfitted with password protection, but there's no touch ID feature.

This drive features a Lightning connector that's attached to a flexible loop that fits through most iPhone cases and it works with USB 3.0. Plus, it comes in several storage capacities to suit your needs.

According to a reviewer: “Easy to use and effective way to free up space on the iPhone. The purpose this was purchased for was to download just over 3000 photos from my wife's phone and not have to purchase more space on the cloud. Very easy to use, just plug it in and it has you download the mobile app then it asks to set up auto back-up feature. Very quick download speed which was a surprise. I was able to then remove it from the phone and plug into my laptop and transfer the photos and place them where I want.”

  • Available sizes: 32, 64, 128, and 256GB

2

An Affordable Flash Drive That Comes In Lots Of Colors

This flash drive is another affordable option, and it has more than 100 five-star reviews from Amazon shoppers. The versatile drive features USB 3.0 and micro USB ports and a Lightning connector, and it also comes with a Type-C adapter. When it’s plugged in, you can store files directly onto the flash drive without having to transfer them, and your files are protected with a password and touch ID. Plus, you can choose from eight colors, including green, gold, and blue.

According to a reviewer: “I travel a lot and don’t like to carry a laptop since my Iphone does just about everything I need. But sometimes I need to access documents from my computer. Having a USB flash drive to download documents to before I leave and for the same flash drive to be able to plug into my IPhone to work on a document has been a lifesaver! It has plenty of memory for my needs.”

  • Available sizes: 128 and 256GB

3

This 4-In-1 Flash Drive With A Large Capacity

Providing major versatility, the iDiskk 4-in-1 flash drive is the ideal option for anyone wanting to connect their iPhone to a camera, tablet, or another type of device. This pick features a Lightning connector for your phone, a USB 3.0 port, a USB Type-C connector (which works with the Macbook Pro), and a micro USB connector for cameras and Android devices. The downloadable app makes it easy to transfer and back up files, and there’s also a touch ID and password protection feature to keep everything secure. However, you might have to remove your phone case to use this drive.

According to a reviewer: “Have tried a couple of these (different brands) and had no luck. This worked immediately. It's well made of a metal body and has some heft to it. [...] You must D/L the app to your iPhone. When you plug in the device, it recognizes the app and opens it (if you allow it). Then you simply select the photos you want to copy and let it rip.”

  • Available sizes: 64, 128, 256, and 512GB

4

A Flash Drive You Can Attach To Your Keychain

This highly rated SanDisk flash drive has a built-in keyring loop, making it easy to attach to your keychain and take it anywhere. It features a Lightning connector and USB 3.0 port for high-speed file transfers to your computer. You can use the iXpand Drive app to set up automatic backups from your phone, and your files can be password protected.

According to a reviewer: “This tiny device is great! It plugged into my iphone without needing to remove the Otterbox case. It told me I needed the app and showed me where to get it. The app downloaded quickly. Then I was asked a series of questions and I was on my way. You can unplug it from your phone at any time without needing to "eject" or "save" anything. When you plug it back in you can resume what you were doing. You can choose which folders to transfer instead of the entire photo albums. I transferred one folder of 1, 985 photos in about 5 minutes! That is a LOT of photos to move so quickly!”

  • Available sizes: 64, 128, and 256GB

5

This Sleek Silver Flash Drive

Featuring a sleek silver design, this 3-in-1 flash drive has Lightning, USB 3.0, and Type-C connectors to quickly transfer files between multiple devices. You can back up files from your phone with one click using the complementary app, and it’s also easy to store photos and videos in real-time on the drive by using the in-app camera. Plus, the drive supports file encryption to keep your data secure.

According to a reviewer: “I wasn't sure how well this would work for saving a back-up and moving files from my iPhone to my MacBook Pro. But it worked very well. I found the app for the flash drive to be easy to use. I was able to create files on the flash drive that were named exactly like I had my albums on my phone. Then I simply transferred the photos and videos from each file to the same named file I created on the flash drive. It's time consuming but well worth it. It does take a lot of power on your phone to make it happen. So make sure your phone is fully charged. As long as this drive keeps working, I'm completely happy with my purchase.”

  • Available sizes: 128, 256, and 512GB

6

A Storage Drive That Automatically Backs Up Files When Your Phone Charges

The Qubii photo storage drive automatically backs up your files every time you charge your phone, so you never have to remember to do it. Just insert a micro SD card into the storage cube (you can purchase a drive that comes with a card or use your own) and plug the drive into your charging block. Then, it’ll instantly and securely back up files every time you plug in your phone, and it’s easy to switch to a new micro SD card when you need additional storage. What’s more, you can plug the Qubii into the USB port on your computer to view, edit, and transfer files (though the brand doesn’t specify the USB transfer speed.)

According to a reviewer: “Bought it as a gift for my mother who has an iPhone that had no more room for photos. This works perfect ...she is able to just plug her phone to charge at night and then in the morning she can delete old photos she no longer cares to have on her phone but that she does not want to lose. All on a micro SD card. And simple for the non tech person.”

  • Available sizes: 128, 256, and 512GB, or without a micro SD card

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