How to Access Files on USB Stick Using iPhone
If you often need to access files stored on a USB flash drive when you're away from your computer, an iPhone can come to your rescue. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to access files on your USB flash drive using just your iPhone.
Preliminary Requirements: What You Need to Connect
Before proceeding with the detailed instructions, it's essential to understand the essential requirements. If your USB flash drive has a standard USB-A connector, your iPhone must be updated to at least iOS 13 to access the external drive.
You'll also need a USB-A to Lightning adapter to connect the flash drive to your iPhone. If your device is older and may not provide enough power to the flash drive, opt for an adapter with a second Lightning input for external power.
Formatting and Compatible File Systems
The USB flash drive must be formatted with a file system supported by iOS: FAT (or FAT16), FAT32, exFAT, APFS, or NTFS. Each has its own pros and cons, so choose the one that best suits your needs. Remember, formatting will erase all data on the flash drive, so back up before proceeding.
USB Sticks Designed for iPhone
If you don't want to use external adapters, there are USB flash drives designed specifically for use with iPhone. These devices are MFi certified and equipped with both a USB-A and Lightning connector. Some of these sticks include special applications that facilitate data transfer.
Using the Apple Files App to Access the Flash Drive
Once you've prepared everything you need, the next step is to actually access your files. Apple offers a built-in Files app that lets you do just that. Follow these simple steps:
- Connect the USB stick to the adapter.
- Insert the adapter into the iPhone's Lightning port.
- Open the Files app and navigate to the location of your USB stick.
- Now you can view, copy, move or delete files as you want.
Third-Party Applications for Greater Flexibility
If you're looking for more advanced features or a different user interface, there are numerous third-party apps that offer additional options for accessing your files. These apps can offer features like automatic photo transfer, ZIP file management, and compatibility with a variety of file formats.
Use the Apple Files App to Access USB Flash Drives on iPhone
If you're trying to access the contents of a USB flash drive from your iPhone, Apple's Files app is probably the simplest and most convenient solution. Natively integrated into the iOS operating system, this app has received support for external storage devices since iOS 13. It can read flash drives formatted with file systems such as FAT, FAT32, exFAT, and APFS, and since iOS 16, also in NTFS (read-only).
How to Use Apple's Files App
To launch the app, simply tap the blue folder icon located on your device's Home screen or in the App Library. If you've deleted the app for some reason, you can re-download it for free from the App Store.
Once the app is open, connect the USB flash drive to your iPhone's Lightning port using the appropriate adapter. Next, tap the "Browse" tab in the lower-right corner of the screen and select the name of the USB flash drive that appears in the "Locations" box. A new panel will open showing all the files and folders on the USB flash drive.
Manage Files and Folders from the USB Stick
The displayed files can be managed like any other file on your iPhone or in the cloud. Tapping a file icon will open it with the default application for that type of document. Additionally, long-pressing the file icon will reveal a contextual menu that allows you to access various options such as renaming, compressing, duplicating, moving, sharing the file, and much more. It's important to note that writing or editing operations will only be possible if the flash drive is formatted in FAT32 or exFAT.
Additional Features of Apple's Files App
By tapping the three-dot button in the upper right corner, you can activate other functions such as multi-selection mode, creating a new folder, or changing the view options.
Third Party Applications and Limitations
Apple places some restrictions on third-party apps, preventing them from directly accessing files on standard USB sticks. Therefore, most third-party apps defer to Apple's Files app for this task.
Specific Lightning Sticks for iPhone
However, there are USB flash drives with Lightning connectors, designed exclusively for iPhone and iPad. These devices often require a companion app developed by the manufacturer and available on the App Store. While the look and feel of the various apps may vary, the process is almost always the same: download the app, connect the flash drive, and follow the on-screen instructions to transfer media files.
Finally, if you purchased a flash drive with a Lightning connector, it's a good idea to consult the manufacturer's manual or online guide for detailed instructions.
