As we all know, with a USB drive, people can easily transfer all kinds of files from one computer to another. Then, how about using the iPhone, the most popular mobile device, as a USB drive? Can you use iPhone as USB drive, and how? In this guide, we will tell you the answer and help you transfer files between your iPhone and computer.
Many iPhone users wonder if they can use iPhone as USB flash drive. While iPhones aren't designed as conventional USB drives, there are ways to leverage their storage for file transfer and storage purposes.
You can use your iPhone to store and transfer files using the cloud services. Additionally, there are also third-party applications available that facilitate the transfer of files between your iPhone and computer. So, it is feasible to use iPhone as USB drive.
iTunes, Apple's media player and device management software, can be utilized to turn your iPhone into a USB drive. Here's how to use iPhone as USB flash drive with iTunes to transfer files:
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes.
Step 2. Select your device in iTunes.
Step 3. Navigate to the "File Sharing" section.
Step 4. Click on the app you want to transfer. Here are two options:
To transfer a file from your phone:
Highlight the file in the list and click the "Save" button.
To transfer a file onto your phone:
Click "Add", pick the file you want to move, and then click "Open".
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In this part, we mainly discuss how to use iPhone as external drive without iTunes to transfer files between your iPhone and computer. Here are four methods you can try, including both wired and wireless methods.
The first and foremost method is Coolmuster iOS Assistant, a professional iPhone transfer application. It is a user-friendly software designed to manage your iOS device on both Windows and Mac computer. With this powerful tool, users can seamlessly transfer, backup, and manage various types of data on their iPhones, iPads, and iPods.
Key Features:
Feel free to click the download button below to acquire the tool now.
Here is how to use iPhone as USB drive via Coolmuster iOS Assistant to transfer files between iPhone and computer:
01Download the correct version of the software to your computer and connect your device to the computer using a USB cord. Once the software detects your device, the main interface will be displayed.
02Start the transfer progress.
Transfer from iPhone to computer:
Select the desired data for transfer from the left panel. Preview the detailed files on the right side, then click on the "Export" icon to initiate the data transfer to the computer.
Transfer from computer to iPhone:
Select the file type you intend to transfer. Select the "Import" option and browse the files you wish to import to your iPhone. Then, click on the "OK" option to initiate the process.
Video Tutorial:
iCloud provides a cloud-based solution for using your iPhone as a drive. However, this method is more suitable for photos, videos, and other iCloud-supported file types. Besides, iCloud only provides 5 GB of free storage space for users to synchronize their data. Therefore, if you're not dealing with extensive photos or videos, it is a viable option. Here's how to use iPhone as flash drive via iCloud:
Step 1. Open "Settings" > Scroll down and tap "Photos" > Toggle on the "iCloud Photos" option. Once "iCloud Photos" is enabled, your photos and videos will be automatically synced to iCloud.
Step 2. Launch a web browser and navigate to the iCloud website. Sign in using your Apple ID and password.
Step 3. Select the "Photos" icon to access your synced photos and videos.
Step 4. Choose the photos or videos you want to transfer to your computer.
Step 5. Use the download icon or the "Download" option to transfer the selected files to your computer.
See More: Click here to learn how to back up iPhone to Flash/USB/Thumb Drive.
Google Drive, a widely adopted cloud storage service, presents another alternative. Here is how to leverage Google Drive to transform your iPhone into a USB storage device:
Step 1. Download, install, and launch the Google Drive app on your iPhone. Sign in with your Google account.
Step 2. Tap the "+" icon within the Google Drive app. Choose "Upload" and select the files you want to transfer from your iPhone to the computer.
Step 3. Open a web browser on your computer and go to the Google Drive website. Sign in with the same Google account you used on your iPhone.
Step 4. Locate the uploaded files in your Google Drive on the web. Choose the files you want to download to your computer. Click the "More" option (three vertical dots) and choose "Download".
For Windows users, utilizing File Explorer to treat your iPhone as a hard drive is a straightforward and efficient method. However, this methods only supports photos and videos. Here is how to access iPhone as drive on Windows using File Explore:
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
Step 2. Unlock your iPhone and tap on "Trust" to establish a connection.
Step 3. Open File Explorer on your computer and locate your iPhone's name in the left menu.
Step 4. Navigate to "Internal Storage". Depending on the type of files you want to transfer, navigate to the appropriate folder. For example, photos are often found in the "DCIM" folder.
Step 5. Copy the desired files and paste them into a folder on your computer.
That's all ways you can use iPhone as USB drive:
Therefore, Coolmuster iOS Assistant is the best choice for you. It doesn't rely on internet and supports various file types. Download it and give it a try.
Related Articles:
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How to Back Up iPhone to External Hard Drive on Windows or Mac
How to Transfer Photos from Flash Drive/USB/Thumb Drive to iPhone 15/14/13/12/11
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