If you’re seeking to increase the storage capacity of your iPhone without relying on cloud services, external storage devices offer a viable alternative. USB flash drives and SD cards are popular choices for expanding storage, and they can be easily connected through adapters. However, a common question arises when considering the connection of a hard drive to your iPhone. In this post, we’ll provide a comprehensive answer to address this query.
What you need to connect accessories to your iPhone
The iPhones are among the last Apple products that still utilize the Lightning connector. This connector poses certain limitations, particularly concerning compatibility with accessories and the power they require to function efficiently. To connect accessories to the phone, a Lightning to USB adapter is often necessary, making official accessories or those with MFi certification the preferred choice.
When it comes to USB memories or SD cards, the iPhone can deliver sufficient power through the Lightning port, as these peripherals require minimal energy. However, the situation changes when attempting to connect external hard drives. External hard drives, especially those that rely solely on the power from the connected USB cable, demand significantly more power, which the Lightning connector cannot provide.
While iPads, with their larger size and USB Type-C connection, support external hard drives, iPhones operate differently due to the limitations of the Lightning connector. Unfortunately, connecting external hard drives through an adapter is not possible with iPhones. As of now, hard drives are only compatible with iPads featuring a USB Type-C connection or USB-C with the Thunderbolt standard, leaving Apple computers aside.
What if the iPhone incorporates USB type C in the future?
For a while now, there have been rumors that future iPhones may come equipped with a USB Type-C connection, bidding farewell to the Lightning connector along with its limitations. However, it’s important to note that even with the transition, it is not certain whether external drives can be connected. This will ultimately depend on Apple’s decisions regarding how they want to open up the physical connection port.
One key factor that remains to be determined is the maximum data transfer speed that the iPhone port will support. Will it match the speeds seen in the USB-C of the 10th generation iPad? Will it feature both USB-C and Thunderbolt standards? Or will it only allow connections to specific peripherals authorized by the MFi certificate? These questions are yet to be resolved by Apple, and until then, we can’t say for sure how the new USB Type-C connection will function on future iPhones.
How to Expand iPhone Storage
As of the present moment, considering that all iPhone models come equipped with a Lightning port, there are several options for connecting external accessories. We can connect SD cards, USB memories (with the help of an adapter), or network hard drives that are accessible through remote connections.
Despite the limitations posed by the Lightning connector, compatibility with such accessories has significantly expanded with the introduction of the Files application in iOS 11. While external hard drives cannot be directly connected, the availability of Lightning adapters allows for the connection of flash drives or SD cards. If you are in search of Lightning adapters to enhance your connectivity options, here are a few that could prove to be useful.