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Over time, Apple has gradually made it easier to use external storage with an iPhone or iPad, giving you more options when it comes to transferring files to and from your Apple device. As of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, you can format external drives too, reducing your reliance on a computer even further.
Most storage options that work with your computer will work with your iDevice as well, including USB hubs and memory cards. As per Apple's guidelines, storage devices must have a single partition and be formatted as APFS, APFS (encrypted), macOS Extended (HFS+), exFAT (FAT64), FAT32, or FAT.
Choosing the right drive
It's not difficult to find an external drive that'll work with your iPhone or iPad, because the vast majority of options out there should work, from little flash drives to larger hard disks that use the old mechanical platters rather than the newer SSD tech. Any external storage you can use with your computer should also work with Apple's devices.
That said, it's a good idea to double-check product listings before buying. Some external storage drives are built specifically for iPhone and iPad use, while others might not be suitable for whatever reason. Note that you'll need a connection type to match your iPhone (Lightning or USB-C), or an adapter cable.
It's also worth checking if the external storage requires an additional power cable, as some larger and higher capacity drives will. This doesn't mean you can't use it with your iPhone or iPad, but it's something to consider: The setup isn't quite as convenient if you need an extra power lead, but it does mean the drive won't be sipping battery power from your Apple device while it's being used.
Obviously the key spec you're looking at with these drives is storage capacity: It's a good idea to get more than you think you'll need, just in case, within the limits of your budget. Tiny USB sticks are the easiest for portability and won't need another cable, but they're also usually more expensive than larger portable USB drives.
Here are a few recommendations to get you started (you can get these drives in multiple configurations, but the largest available capacity is mentioned here):
Kingston XS2000 4TB: Tiny and tough, and with support for the latest USB 3.2 speeds. It has a small rubber sleeve to add water resistance and shock-proofing ($270)
Seagate Portable External HDD 5TB: Not as fast as the latest SSD tech, but fast enough for most people, very affordable, and easy on the eye in terms of design. ($110)
Samsung USB-C Flash Drive 512GB: Compact and speedy (with USB 3.2 support), this plugs straight into your iDevice, though the capacities don't go as high. ($50)
Formatting drives and managing files
When you've purchased your drive—or found one lying around you can use—you can plug it right into your iPhone or iPad to get started. There's no need to use a computer for formatting anymore, though if it's an older drive you've used before, it's a good idea to check if there's anything important on it before wiping it.
The Files app built into iOS and iPadOS is best for managing the external device. Tap Browse, and you should see the external storage drive listed alongside internal storage and iCloud storage: Tap and hold on the drive name to see information about it and to rename it, if needed.
Tap and hold on the drive and pick Erase to wipe and format the device. You get a choice of formats—APFS (the Apple File System) is best for Apple devices—and then you can tap Erase again to wipe the drive. Confirm your choice on the pop-up dialog, and the external storage is wiped.
File operations in Files are pretty straightforward. Tap and hold on a file or folder to see a list of options pop up, including Copy and Move—choose Copy, and you can then tap and hold and choose Paste on your external drive. Choose Move, and a new window appears inviting you to choose a destination. To handle multiple files at once, tap the three dots (top right), then Select, and once you've made your selection, you can tap and hold on it again to bring up the file operations.
Tap and hold on a blank part of a folder inside your external storage to create folders for organizing files, and tap and hold on files or folders to delete or rename them. All the usual Files features apply to your external drive: Tap the three dots (top right) to change how files and folders are displayed, and in what order, for example. There's no specific eject feature for external storage on the iPhone or iPad—just make sure you're not moving data to or from the drive when you disconnect it.
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