With the limited storage capacity on iPhones, many users find themselves needing more space to store photos, videos, music, and other files. An external hard drive that is compatible with iPhone can provide expanded storage and serve as a backup for important data. But with so many hard drives on the market, how do you know which ones will work with your iPhone?
Do I need an external hard drive for my iPhone?
Here are some quick answers on whether you need an external hard drive for your iPhone:
– If you find yourself constantly running out of space on your iPhone and needing to delete photos, videos, or apps to free up storage, then an external hard drive can help provide that extra space.
– If you want to create backups of your photos, contacts, and other important data on your iPhone, an external hard drive allows you to store those backups separately from your iPhone.
– If you store large files like movies, TV shows, or large music libraries on your iPhone, then transferring those to an external hard drive can free up a lot of space.
– If you want to transfer large amounts of files or data between your iPhone and computer, an external hard drive can be much faster and more convenient than emailing attachments or syncing to cloud storage.
So in summary, if you need more storage space, want to keep backups of your iPhone, or regularly transfer a lot of data on and off your device, an external hard drive is extremely useful. It provides extra storage in a portable container while also freeing up precious space on your iPhone.
What to look for in an external hard drive for iPhone
When shopping for an external hard drive to use with your iPhone, here are some key factors to consider:
– Connectivity – The hard drive must be able to connect to your iPhone, so look for wireless hard drives with WiFi and ones with direct Lightning or USB-C cables for wired connections. Wireless drives offer more flexibility and convenience.
– Hard drive format – External hard drives typically come pre-formatted as FAT32, exFAT, or APFS. iPhones can only read hard drives formatted as FAT32, exFAT, APFS, or HSF+.
– App integration – Many wireless hard drives come with companion iOS apps that allow you to access, view, and manage files on the drive through your iPhone. This offers a seamless user experience.
– Power source – Wireless hard drives are powered by built-in batteries charged through USB, while wired drives get power directly from the iPhone or computer they are connected to. Consider battery life for wireless models.
– Durability – Since external hard drives are portable, they should have rugged construction to withstand being carried around and used on the go. Look for features like dust/water resistance and shock protection.
– Security – Many hard drives offer password protection and encryption to keep your data secure. This is an important feature for drives used to store sensitive information.
– Storage capacity – Consider the storage space you need now and may need in the future. Often hard drives are available in 1TB, 2TB, 4TB or larger capacities.
Top external hard drives for iPhone
Based on factors like connectivity, app integration, portability, and price, here are some of the top external hard drives that work seamlessly with iPhone:
SanDisk iXpand – Best Overall
– Connectivity: Lightning connector
– Storage: Up to 256GB
– App integration: SanDisk iXpand Drive app
– Pros: Compact design, strong encryption, flexible connector, affordable price
– Cons: Lower maximum capacity than some drives
Seagate Backup Plus Slim – Best Portable Drive
– Connectivity: USB 3.0
– Storage: Up to 5TB
– App integration: Seagate Toolkit app
– Pros: Slim and portable, fast transfer speeds, USB connection works with adapter
– Cons: Requires adapter to connect directly to iPhone
WD My Passport Wireless Pro – Best Wireless Drive
– Connectivity: WiFi, USB 2.0
– Storage: Up to 2TB
– App integration: My Cloud app
– Pros: Direct wireless connection, portable, long battery life
– Cons: Premium price point
LaCie Fuel – Most Affordable Wireless
– Connectivity: WiFi
– Storage: 1TB capacity
– App integration: Seagate Media app
– Pros: Lower cost than most wireless drives
– Cons: Bulkier size, shorter battery life
SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick – Most Compact
– Connectivity: WiFi
– Storage: Up to 256GB
– App integration: SanDisk Connect app
– Pros: Tiny, flash drive-sized design
– Cons: Lower maximum capacity
Using an external hard drive with iPhone and iPad
Here is a step-by-step guide on using an external hard drive with your iPhone or iPad:
1. Connect the hard drive
For wireless hard drives, power on the drive and connect to its WiFi network from the iPhone’s Settings app, just like connecting to any WiFi router.
For wired hard drives, connect the included cable between the drive and your device. For Lightning-connected drives plug directly into the iPhone. For USB-C drives, you’ll need a USB-C to Lightning adapter.
2. Access the drive through the app
Most wireless hard drives come with a free companion app. Download the app and open it to access files on the drive. Wired drives may also have optional apps, or you may be able to access them directly through the iPhone’s Files app.
3. Manage files and data
Within the app, you can browse through files on the drive, open and view files like photos/videos, play music, and manage/organize the drive’s contents.
Options like copying, deleting, moving, renaming, and sharing files can help keep your drive organized. Most apps also allow backing up your iPhone camera roll and contacts to the drive.
4. Transfer files to iPhone or computer
Store media like photos, videos, music, and documents on your external hard drive to free up iPhone space. You can then access this media from the external drive when needed.
For easy file transfers between the drive and computer, connect them directly via USB rather than using the WiFi network. This offers faster transfer speeds.
5. Safely eject the drive
To avoid data corruption, always properly eject an external drive before disconnecting it from your iPhone. Wireless drives can be ejected directly through the app. Wired drives need to first be ejected through the iPhone Files app.
Tips for using external hard drives with iOS devices
– When connecting wireless hard drives, connect your iPhone to the drive’s WiFi network the same way you would connect to a WiFi router. The network name is usually the hard drive’s name.
– To manage files and data on the iPhone itself through the hard drive’s app, you will need to allow access to iPhone storage. Enable this in Settings > General > iPhone/iPad Storage.
– Apps that come with wireless hard drives only provide access to that specific drive. To access files across multiple external drives at once, use the Apple Files app.
– Wired hard drives may require you to format the drive first before using. Go to Settings > General > iPad/iPhone Storage to do this.
– To move files between a hard drive and iPhone/iPad, use the app’s import/export functions or drag-and-drop within the Files app. This bypasses syncing to cloud services.
– Check the app’s settings to enable auto-backup features for photos and contacts. This provides an automatic backup to the drive when connected.
– Disconnect the hard drive properly through its app or the Files app before unplugging it from your device to avoid data loss or corruption.
Quick shopping guide for hard drives
Here is a quick shopping guide for what to look for in an external hard drive for your iPhone or iPad:
– Storage capacity – Minimum of 16GB, up to 5TB available
– Connection type – Wireless drive or wired Lightning/USB-C
– Compatible app – Seamless file management capabilities
– Portable design – Compact and lightweight enough for mobility
– Durability – Solid, protective casing for on-the-go use
– Security features – Password protection and encryption
– Positive reviews – Strong ratings and feedback from other iOS users
Focus on drives with wireless connectivity, robust apps, and enough storage for your needs. Read customer reviews to compare real-world performance and satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect an external hard drive directly to my iPhone?
Yes, as long as the hard drive has a wired Lightning or USB-C connection you can connect it directly. Wireless hard drives can also connect via WiFi without cables.
What format do external hard drives need for iPhone compatibility?
iPhones can read hard drives formatted as exFAT, FAT32, APFS, and HSF+. Before using a newly purchased drive, check if it needs to be reformatted for iOS.
Can I use an external hard drive to back up my iPhone?
Absolutely. The apps that come with most hard drives provide the ability to back up your iPhone’s camera roll, contacts, and other data to that drive automatically.
Do wireless hard drives work with both iPhone and iPad?
Yes, wireless hard drives will connect via WiFi to iPhones and iPads. Just connect to the drive’s WiFi network from both iOS devices.
How do I transfer files between iPhone and an external drive?
The hard drive’s companion app typically has options to import or export files between the drive and your iOS device. Simply select files and use these transfer features.
Conclusion
Adding external hard drive storage can be a huge benefit for any iPhone user needing more space for photos, videos, music, and backups. Top hard drives with direct iPhone connectivity offer wireless freedom plus large storage capacities at affordable prices. Focus on drives with companion apps for smoothly accessing, viewing, and managing files on the go. With the right external hard drive, you can significantly expand your iPhone’s storage and have peace of mind from making regular backups.