As our devices have advanced, so has our storage devices. They are no more just a tool to store and transfer files. You can backup your iPhone to a flash drive, access files directly, encrypt them for security, and even shoot photos or videos straight on the drive. Keeping in mind how valuable your data is to you, we have curated an impressive list with the best flash drives for iPhone. Check them out now!
A: Attaching a USB drive to an iPad is only possible with the use of a USB-C to USB adapter. This is an accessory that you must purchase separately for the iPad. Shop for iphone flash drive at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Skip to content. False false None false. Credit Cards; Top Deals; Deal of the Day.
1. SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive for iPhone – Editor’s Choice
SanDisk is a renowned name in the storage world even before the iPhone came into existence. It still maintains the utmost spot with reliable, durable, secure, & intelligent products.
The lightning memory stick sports a flexible connector compatible with most iPhone cases. Furthermore, a handy iOS app enables automatic backup, direct shoot & save for videos and photos, and direct music or video playback.
Pros
If you need more storage space on your iPhone, the easiest way to tack some on is with a special flash drive that features a lightning port on one end and a USB port on the other. You’ll use an app designed for that drive to actually manage files.
High-Speed transfer with USB 3.0
Direct Shoot feature
Available in Loop & Swivel Style
Cons
The iOS app isn’t that great
Price: $33.49
2. iDiskk iPhone Memory Stick
The MFI certified flash drive is a media hub with an extensive and versatile list of file-format support. From .doc, .jpeg, .m4a, .avi, .mp3, to .wav; every format is welcomed open-heartedly.
And whether attached to iPhone or laptop, you can play uninterrupted music or movies directly from the drive. Besides, you can also add a biometric password to prevent your data from being misused or stolen.
Pros
Password protected
Fast read/write speed
Wide compatibility
Cons
Old-school design
Price: $39.18
3. HooToo MFi Certified Flash Drive
Boasting a sturdy yet lightweight aluminum body, HooToo flash drive for iPhone is relatively compact & easy to carry. Most importantly, it offers 80 MB/s reading and 30 MB/s writing speed, enabling fast & safe transmission.
Thanks to secure data encryption technology, your private files will have to be decrypted before being visible on PC. As for your iOS device, you can lock them with Touch ID & Password.
Pros
The iPlugmate app support multiple formats
Secure and fast data transfer
Cons
Auto-backup does not run smoothly
Price: $39.99
4. iKlips C USB-C and iPhone Lightning Flash Drive
Specially designed to make data storage and transmission easier, the ADAM elements iKlips C [World’s first Apple MFi certified] sports lightning and USB C connectors. Apart from being fast & secure, it is the iOS app that impressed me most.
It manifolds the flash drive’s functionality, to media viewing, Apple Music, and iTunes integration, password protection, Apple AirPlay, and more. It can even instantly backup your Instagram, Facebook, and Evernote accounts.
If you are interested, check out the in-depth review of the flash drive.
Pros
Great iOS app
Lightning to USB C
“lost-proof” silicone cover
Cons
Pretty Expensive
Price: $179.00
5. Kimiandy 3 in 1 USB Flash Drive
Whether iPhone, iPad, Mac, or an Android device, with Kimiandy, you won’t need an additional dongle for file transfer. As it sports a Lightning, USB, & micro USB port, and along with that comes a Type C adapter.
But doesn’t that increase the risk of a data breach? Well, to counter that, Kimiandy incorporates a fingerprints & password lock. So you can lock the full drive or lock specific files as per your convenience.
Pros
Support multiple devices
Plug & play
Cons
Data transfer is a bit slow
The app doesn’t have a friendly interface
Price: $21.99
6. HooToo iPhone Lightning Memory Stick
All the goodness of HooToo is now enhanced with one additional port. The 3-in-1 flash drive for iPhone is equipped with an MFi-Certified Lightning Port, USB-A Port, and USB-C Port. Notably, all ports are laden with the utmost technology to offer high-speed transfers.
The ante is also upped in terms of material employed; the zinc casing offers rugged and durable protection and better heat management. The U-Hub app supports auto-backup and direct shoot & save.
Pros
3-in-1 drive
Zinc casing
Supports multiple formats
Cons
The connector isn’t rugged-case friendly
Price: $39.99
7. Sunany USB Flash Drive
This USB flash drive for iPhone has a 4-in-1 linker design convenient for data transfer between different platforms. It boasts 128 GB storage capacity, and you can experience up to 80 MB/s reading and 40 MB/s writing speed.
It’s ideal for quickly free up space on your phone and to carry your photos, videos, and other media with you. Further, it’s super lightweight and portable, which only adds to the convenience. You can choose from 4 color options and take advantage of dedicated customer support in case of any quality issues.
Pros
Multi-port support
One-Click Backup
Directly share to social media
Connecting Thumb Drive To Ipad
Cons
Feels cheap & flimsy
Instructions are not proper
Price: $22.99
8. EATOP USB Memory Stick Flash Drive
A handy plug & Play feature enables one-click backup of photos & videos from the camera roll. Further, the free Y-disk app supports all major video and music formats to stream directly without any hindrance.
Apart from videos and photos, you can backup and manage files efficiently and encrypt single files in the memory stick flash drive. With a 3-in-1 port design, it comfortably & efficiently supports multiple devices.
Thanks to iOS’s strict privacy stand, not all flash drives work on iPhones. This is why it is essential to check compatibility and MFi certification before you buy a flash drive to back up your iPhone.
Flash Drive For Ipad
We have found the drives mentioned above a perfect match. If you have any more feedback or suggestions, do let us know in the comment section below. Meanwhile, here are some articles to aid you:
A self-professed Geek who loves to explore all things Apple. I thoroughly enjoy discovering new hacks, troubleshooting issues, and finding and reviewing the best products and apps currently available. My expertise also includes curating opinionated and honest editorials. If not this, you might find me surfing the web or listening to audiobooks.
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Why Is Samsung's Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite a Brilliant Idea?
The days of floppy disks are long past, and while CD-Roms are still around very few people use them for anything besides the occasional mixtape or digital photo album.
As we race ahead into the era of cloud storage, it’s worth keeping an eye on our friend — the USB Flash Drive, which has by no means expired.
Flash drives are reliable even when the Internet is down, files are too large to upload, or when you can’t remember your password. Plus, they’re easily shared among other people and can be used to distribute large amounts of information as well or store the final version of a project for later reference.
So whether you want a place to keep your digital movie collections, the latest year’s worth of schoolwork, or all the material for a particular client, a thumb drive is a versatile and inexpensive solution to your problem.
In this buying guide, we’ll help you choose the best flash drive that works with your MacBook Pro. In addition, you’ll learn tips and tricks on how to keep the drive in good shape.
Quick Summary
Want to be on the cutting edge of the future and enjoy using USB Type-C? Luckily SanDisk offers 256GB Ultra Dual USB-C Drive, which contains plenty of storage while allowing you to use a newer MacBook without dongles.
If you’re looking for as much space as you can get at a great value and reliability, the PNY Turbo 256GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive will have you covered with a sleek design and an expansive 256 GB of storage.
Just need something that will last a while and have enough space for your old photos and videos? The Samsung BAR Plus 64GB is durable and the 32 GB of space includes a keychain attachment so you can’t lose the drive anytime soon.
Who Should Get This?
USBs are almost completely universal devices, so you don’t have to worry about which ones will or won’t work with your computer unless you have the newest MacBook Pro, which has no USB-A slots at all! Can i use alexa with an apple mac. In that case, you’ll need a USB-C dock or adapter in order to use most flash drives, or you can purchase a specialty USB-C model.
Beyond that, almost everyone can benefit from having a USB drive on hand. They work on both Macs and PCs without reformatting so file transfer and backup are very easy. You can keep any type of file on them, and you’ll doubtless need one soon in the future to save something large or pass a file to a friend.
However, for those who’ve been used to live “in the cloud” (aka, using cloud storage or services for all kind of files), you probably won’t need a physical disk drive at all.
Buying a Flash Drive for Mac: What to Consider in 2020?
Capacity
When you’re storing files, space is everything. Especially since thumb drives aren’t expandable, you’ll want to pick one big enough to encompass your needs for quite a while. Alternatively, if you like to keep each project separate, buy many small flash drives so you don’t have an excess of space that you don’t end up utilizing.
Type
These days, USBs are coming in more and more varieties. The classic USB-A actually has two variations- 2.0 and 3.0, and you’ll want to get a 3.0 model whenever possible since at this point 2.0 is fairly outdated though widely available. You can also step it up a notch by going for USB-C, which has the new reversible design and doesn’t look anything like you would expect. It’ll be faster and more efficient, but only newer computers have the correct port to use it.
Size
Do you lose things easily if they’re too small, or would you prefer something that fits in your wallet? USB drives can be as small as one joint of your finger or include keyrings or other attachments that make them easier to keep track of. The size is also relevant when inserting it into your computer — if your USB ports are close together, especially if you already use them regularly, a small flash drive will make sure the other accessories don’t get pushed out in the process.
The Best USB Flash Drive for MacBook: Our Picks in 2020
Kindly note that all the products recommended below are chosen based on the criteria above (plus our own personal preferences). They are, however, by no means ranked in this order.
1. SanDisk 256GB Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C
Hate dongles and adapters but using the newest MacBook Pro with only Type-C ports available? This flash drive from SanDisk has you covered. The progressive design is made for the future and using USB-C, so you can copy, read, and store files even faster than USB-A 3.0 without ever needed a middleman for your laptop.
Pros:
Available from a range of 16GB all the way up to 256 GB, this USB-C drive is ready to work with your modern Mac.
The Type-C connection is cutting edge and allows faster file transfer than legacy models.
Cons:
Not all old Macs have USB-C ports, so you may be able to use the drive with your main MacBook but not with the computers of peers or your own other models.
2. PNY Turbo 256GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive
Need space in epic proportions? PNY offers a 256GB flash drive that will have you covered for quite a while. With a sleek sliding design and transfer speeds 10 times faster than with USB 2.0, you’ll be able to utilize that space quickly and efficiently. PNY has a great electronics reputation isn’t expected to fail anytime soon.
Pros:
Sliding cover is attached and cannot be lost, securely covering the electronics from the elements.
Reading and writing speeds are much faster than on a USB 2.0 model, and the drive has enough space to store thousands of songs or most any other file type.
3. Samsung BAR Plus 200MB/s USB 3.1 Flash Drive Titan Gray
For an all-around winner, the Samsung BAR Plus drive hits all the important points. It’s extremely damage resistant, easily attaches to a keychain so you can keep track of it, and the slim design leaves plenty of space for peripherals in other ports of your MacBook. The 64 GB size is more than sufficient for a casual user.
Pros:
Slim design is durable — waterproof, shock-proof, and magnet proof- your data will be safe no matter what.
The built-in key ring makes it hard to lose, and the 64 GB of space gives you plenty of options when it comes to what data you want to store- from movies to Word documents.
Cons:
None, this drive does everything right (unless you only have type-C ports, but in that case, any USB-A device is going to be a struggle to use).
Useful Tips
A USB flash drive is more than a place to store files. There are tons of fun things you can do with it, as demonstrated in this article from Gizmodo that shows you 10 cool ways to use a flash drive such as speeding up your computer, applying for a job or making new connections, etc. Nevertheless, Apple also curated a list of commonly asked questions about connecting USB devices to a Mac.
If you’re out of luck when it comes to USB-A ports, Apple has you covered with their USB-C to USB-A dongle (see on Amazon). This means you’ll be able to use any standard flash drives you have because the new USB-C port on your computer will be converted to the legacy version for a perfect fit.
Final Words
You can’t go wrong with a flash drive. From backing up your important files to storing extra video games, they’re extremely versatile and reliable. Flash drives can be used for years, and you’re never really done with one unless it becomes corrupted or lost.
What do you use your flash drives for the most? Leave a comment and let us know!