If you're an iPhone user, you don't have to worry about storage issues with the availability of USB flash drives. By simply plugging in a flash drive to your iPhone, you can now transfer important files and documents without purchasing additional iCloud storage or even a new phone!
To help you choose the best flash drive for your iPhone, we've discussed some important points to consider in the buying guide below. We've also listed down the 10 best flash drives available online—we've made sure to include options from trusted brands like SanDisk, Leef, and more.
Quick List - Top USB Flash Drive for iPhones
SanDisk
Recommended for People Who Take a Lot of Photos and Videos
Adam Elements
A Safe and Secure Device for All Your Files
Ace John is a freelance writer and editor who joined the myBest PH team in September 2022. He is interested in anything technology-related that shapes the lifestyle of consumers. An avid reader, he can be found in nooks and corners with a book that usually discusses performance efficiency, systems productivity, or the future of work. He also has a degree in Education and is pursuing a Master's in English.
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Unlike Android phones, iPhones do not have a slot for an SD card. Instead of buying extra iCloud storage, you can opt for a USB flash drive built for this brand. This device has a lightning connector on one end and a USB-A connector on the other. This makes it possible to sync your data from your iPhone to the flash drive easily—or you can transfer or view it on a laptop or another device.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Furthermore, some USB memory drives may not be compatible with certain iOS versions. Therefore, you should get a flash drive that's compatible with the iOS system you're using, especially if it is not the latest one or if you don't plan on updating your iPhone.
The first thing to consider when choosing a USB flash drive is its storage capacity. These vary per device, but typically, external storage capacities range from 16GB all the way up to 1TB.
If you're on a budget and just want an extra storage device, a flash drive with 16 to 32GB may be enough for you. However, if you're looking to save thousands of files, a USB with 100GB to 1TB storage is recommended. Do remember that the higher the storage, the more expensive the flash drive is.
However, before buying a flash drive, check your gadgets' USB ports. If your device has a USB 2.0 port, even if you have a USB 3.0 flash drive, it will only go as fast as the USB 2.0 port allows. Keep this in mind to maximize the flash drive that you will buy since USB 3.0 devices are more expensive.
Third-party accessories that are compatible with Apple's devices have a certification system called an MFi, which means "Made for iPhone/iPad." Basically, any gadget that has this certification is compatible with iOS mobile devices. Note that a flash drive (e.g. Sandisk) can be compatible with a model (e.g. iPhone 13) although it is not MFi-certified.
However, choosing a USB flash drive that is not MFi-certified can be a risky choice as it might not be compatible with your Apple device or might cause some problems. Even though an MFi-certified device costs more, it's worth the extra pesos to ensure the safety of your gadgets.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Leef iBridge 3 Mobile Memory | ![]() | USB With Fast Transfer and Maximum Compatibility | |
2 | SanDisk iXpand Go 128GB OTG Flash Drive|SDIX60N-128G-GN6NE | ![]() | Recommended for People Who Take a Lot of Photos and Videos | |
3 | Adam Elements iKlips Duo+ Premium Apple Lightning Flash Drive | ![]() | A Safe and Secure Device for All Your Files | |
4 | Kingston OTG 2-in-1 Pen Drive for iPhone | ![]() | A Heavy-Weight USB Flash Drive for All Your Needs | |
5 | UGreen OTG USB Flash Drive for iPhone | ![]() | A Budget-Friendly USB Flash Drive for Everyday Use | |
6 | Sumsoniko OTG USB Flash Drive for iPhone | ![]() | A Sleek and Modern USB Memory Drive for Work | |
7 | HP 4-in-1 Flash Drive | ![]() | A Multi-Purpose Flash Drive for All Ports | |
8 | UGreen OTG USB Flash Drive for iOS | ![]() | A Convenient and Efficient Gadget to Store Your Media | |
9 | 3-in-1 OTG USB Flash Drive iPhone | ![]() | Best for Those Who Have Apple and Android Devices | |
10 | OTG Usb Flash Drive for iPhone | ![]() | Affordable and Compatible With Most Gadgets |
This USB memory drive is MFi-certified, which means that it's compatible with most iPhones starting from the iPhone 5 and iPads starting from the iPad mini. It's also compatible with a wide variety of file types, including gif, m4a, mov, avi, along with the usual photo, audio, and video formats.
You can also store docs, web pages, Excel sheets, and PowerPoint presentations on this, making it an excellent option for office workers. It also has a direct-to-drive feature that allows you to capture photos or videos and store them automatically, with a Leef Lock system that protects them. Users love that it's easy to use and their gadgets recognized the drive immediately.
With SanDisk being an established brand in the flash drive market, it is no surprise that their iXpand USB drive is an excellent option. It has features such as automatic backup of your camera roll, and software that lets you set a password to protect your files.
It's a USB 3.0 device as well, allowing you to transfer your files at the most optimal speed possible. Users are very impressed with this product, as it's user-friendly, especially for those who often transfer their photos to their non-Apple gadgets. They also recommend it for people who take lots of pictures and videos since these can take up most of the storage space on your phone.
This MFi-certified flash drive takes your digital safety seriously with password and fingerprint protection for your drive or selected files through its app. It has advanced features such as direct photo backup and integration between Facebook and Instagram.
It has a convenient design, too, with an opening at the top that will allow you to clip it to a small purse or lanyard. With its high-capacity storage, this is a great memory drive to get to keep your files secure. You can even stream 1080p HD movies using this device!
Need a USB flash drive that can store thousands and thousands of files? Kingston OTG 2-in-1 Pen Drive for iPhone offers a 512-GB capacity that is perfect for saving your favorite pictures, songs, and videos. This also comes with a plug-and-play function that enables you to play anything via your iPhone.
This drive is heavy-weight in storage capacity but compact in design. A fantastic feature of this is that it supports encryption if you want to secure your files for privacy and safety. Plus, this drive supports the backup of your contacts, aside from the fast transfer of files between devices. A customer has mentioned that it can also be read on MacBook and Windows laptops!
If you're on a budget but still want to expand your mobile phone storage, the OTG USB Flash Drive is the one for you. This is built for busy individuals since it comes with convenient features that you want for an external drive - all packed inside a neat and compact design.
Transfer and manage your data directly with this flash drive, which also supports auto-playback of music or videos. A good thing about this device is you have four storage options to choose from—128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB- at very affordable prices.
This USB flash drive is a sleek, convenient option with its all-silver design and compact size that allows you to bring it anywhere. It's compatible with iPhones and iPads running on iOS 8 and above, plus, it supports different types of file formats. You just need to download the i-Easy Drive app to get started, and you're all set!
Aside from housing your files, you may also playback videos and music directly from this gadget. You can back up your contact lists, too, and all the info is encrypted, perfect for businessmen and businesswomen. This is highly recommended by previous buyers—they said that the transfer of files is very fast when using this device.
This 4-in-1 device promises high 2 TB storage and fast performance. And it comes with four ports, namely MicroUSB, Type C, Lightning port, and USB port, so users can just plug it in any of the supported ports to quickly back up pictures and videos. Previous customers can vouch for the quality of the product—they said that it's working well and they'll recommend it to other people.
For those who are looking for something efficient, this 2-in-1 USB flash drive saves your music or movies in a flash. These media can also be played directly through this device. Plus, you can easily copy, delete, move, and edit files in PDF, Word, and Excel formats using this gadget.
It has amazing transfer speed, thanks to its dual 8-pin design and a standard USB 3.0 connector. The writing speed is between the range of 10m/s - 30 m/s, while the reading speed is around 80 m/s. And it supports external expansion for iPhones and iPads. This is most likely why it has earned 5 stars on Lazada!
This highly-rated option is not only compatible with Apple gadgets but also Android ones. All you need to do is to lift the USB interface to see the micro-USB end. This makes it great for those who have two smartphones or those who want to transfer files from their Android tablet to their iPhones and iPads and vice versa.
Aside from that, this USB flash drive has a big storage space of 512GB, which means that you can store multiple documents, songs, pictures, and videos on it. Plus, the Y Disk app supports encryption, so you can be assured that your files are safe from hackers. In addition, it comes in three colors—black, silver, and pink—which you can choose according to your preference.
This affordable flash drive has a fun design that's reminiscent of Transformers; plus, it's straightforward to use. You simply have to download the i-Easy Drive app from the App Store to transfer and organize your photos, videos, and other files across different devices and OS. It's compatible with Apple gadgets using iOS 8 and above, as well as Mac and Windows laptops and PCs.
It's a plug-and-play device with up to 13MB/s lightning port reading speed and 9 MB/s writing speed—this means that you can transfer files easier and faster from your mobile device to your computer and vice versa. And with numerous storage options, it's a great gadget to store your important files. Most customers say that it has excellent quality and it works perfectly.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
The price of a USB flash drive usually depends on the storage capacity and speed of transfer. The higher the GB or TB, the more expensive it is. USBs from known brands also have extra security features that add to the cost. In most E-commerce sites in the Philippines, you can purchase a good USB flash drive for as low as ₱400. Meanwhile, premium flash drives go by ₱2,000-6,000.
There is no single way to back up the files in your iPhone using a USB flash drive. Each brand has its own application to manage your files. This is why you first need to install the recommended or compatible app for your flash drive. After this, just plug in your flash drive and navigate through the interface.
Yes. However, Apple is known for its security features. With iPhone, you can only download applications from the App Store, so there's a slim chance for viruses to corrupt your device. In buying USB flash drives, you have to purchase only from trusted brands. We also recommend purchasing an MFi-certified product, so you won't face errors and issues.
Aside from a USB flash drive, you might need other accessories for your iPhone. In the articles below, we've reviewed the best iPhone cases, lightning cables, wireless chargers, and power banks that'll help you have the best experience with your Apple device.
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Leef|iBridge 3 Mobile Memory
No. 2: SanDisk|iXpand Go 128GB OTG Flash Drive|SDIX60N-128G-GN6NE
No. 3: Adam Elements|iKlips Duo+ Premium Apple Lightning Flash Drive
No. 4: Kingston|OTG 2-in-1 Pen Drive for iPhone
No. 5: UGreen|OTG USB Flash Drive for iPhone
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