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[Solved] How to Use iPhone as USB Drive in a Few Simple Steps

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In the age of digital versatility, using iPhone as a USB drive is a game-changer. Whether you need additional storage on the go or a quick way to transfer files between devices, the ability to use iPhone as USB drive can be incredibly handy. In this article, we'll explore various methods to achieve this feat. Let's have a look.

 

Part 1. Can You Use Your iPhone as a USB Drive?

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.

Part 2. How to Use iPhone as USB Drive with iTunes

iTunes, Apple's flagship 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.

file sharing on itunes

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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Part 3. How to Use iPhone as Flash Drive Without iTunes

Besides iTunes, in this part, we will discover innovative methods that liberate your iPhone's potential, offering a seamless and efficient approach to using iPhone as external drive. Explore these four methods to discover the most suitable approach based on your specific requirements.

Method 1. How to Use iPhone as Flash Drive with Coolmuster iOS Assistant

The first and foremost method is Coolmuster iOS Assistant, a proficient iPhone transfer application. It is a comprehensive and user-friendly software designed to simplify iOS device management for both Windows and Mac users. With this powerful tool, users can seamlessly transfer, back up, and manage various types of data on their iPhones, iPads, and iPods. Coolmuster iOS Assistant stands out for its intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate and perform tasks like transferring contacts, messages, photos, videos, and more between iOS devices and computers. Whether you're looking to organize your iOS data, create backups, or transfer files effortlessly, Coolmuster iOS Assistant offers a reliable solution with added features for a more efficient and streamlined iOS device management experience.

Key Features:

  • Effortlessly back up and restore your entire iPhone/iPad/iPod with a single click.
  • Transfer iOS files at your discretion after previewing and selecting them.
  • Completely manage iTunes backup files and iOS data directly on your computer.
  • Freely edit, add, or delete data information saved on your iOS device from your PC/Mac.
  • Compatible with the latest iOS 17.

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:

01Upon downloading the correct version of the software, connect your device to the computer using a USB cord. Once the software detects your device, the main interface will be displayed as depicted below.

connect your ios devices to computer

02Start the transfer progress.

Transfer from iPhone to computer:

Select the desired data for transfer from the left panel. Review 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.

transfer files via coolmuster ios assistant

Further Reading:

How to Transfer Videos from iPhone to USB Stick with or without a Computer?

Transfer Music from iPhone to Flash Drive (Flexible and Reliable Guide)

Method 2. How to Access iPhone as Drive via iCloud

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. And iCloud provides 5 GB of complimentary storage space for users to synchronize their data. If you're not dealing with extensive photos or videos, iCloud is a viable option for the transfer process. 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.

enable icloud photos on your iphone

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.

visit icloud on your computer

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.

Method 3. How to Use iPhone as USB Storage via Google Drive

Google Drive, a widely adopted cloud storage service, presents another compelling alternative. Learn how to leverage Google Drive to transform your iPhone into a USB storage device, enabling convenient file transfers and access. Here are the steps:

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.

upload the file you want to transfer to the google drive

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".

download the files to your computer from google drive website

Learn More:

[Fixed] How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Flash Drive with or without Computer?

[2023] How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to External Hard Drive in 5 Effective Ways?

Method 4. How to Use iPhone as Hard Drive on Windows Using File Explorer

For Windows users, utilizing File Explorer to treat your iPhone as a hard drive is a straightforward and efficient method. 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.

Use iPhone as hard drive Windows using file explorer

Step 5. Copy the desired files and paste them into a folder on your computer.

Wrapping Up

That's all you can use iPhone as USB drive. After exploring a spectrum of methods, Coolmuster iOS Assistant emerges as a highly recommended solution. This conclusion highlights the user-friendly interface, robust features, and seamless integration of Coolmuster iOS Assistant, making it an outstanding choice for transforming your iPhone into a USB drive. Download it and give it a try.

Related Articles:

Flash It Forward: How to Transfer Photos from Android to Flash Drive

How to Transfer Files between Android and Flash Drive via OTG?

How to Transfer Photos from iPad to External Hard Drive with/without Computer?

How to Back Up iPhone to External Hard Drive on Windows or Mac

How to Transfer Files from PC to iPad Using USB Cable [Effective]

[2023] How to Transfer Photos from Android Phone to External Hard Drive Directly?

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Back up and restore everything on iPhone/iPad/iPod with one click.
Freely manage iOS data and iTunes backup files on the computer.
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