How to use USB flash drives with an iPhone (iOS 13)

USB Flash Drive support is now available in iOS 13!

After a (very) long wait, you can now use USB flash drives, USB hard drives and USB SD card readers with your iPhone in the new iOS13 operating system for iPhone. The same function will soon come to iPadOS providing the same functionality for iPads.

In this video, I show you how to use the Files app in iOS 13 to transfer different file types between a USB flash drive and your iPhone.

Covered in this video:
00:00 Introduction to USB file support
00:59 What gear you will need (Lightning to USB 3 adapter)
01:40 How to connect a USB flash drive to an iPhone
04:27 Copy a photo from a USB flash drive to an iPhone
05:40 Copy a video file from a USB flash drive to an iPhone
06:30 Copy an audio file or folder from a USB flash drive to an iPhone
07:37 Copy files from an iPhone to a USB drive
09:22 Zip and unzip files to transfer to USB flash drives
12:28 Using a USB SD card reader to transfer files to an iPhone

== Related Videos ==

How to transfer files from PC to iPhone/iPad using AudioShare Wifi Drive

== Pete Recommends ==

Note - Links provided in this video description may be affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to purchase products using these links, a small commission may be paid to me for referring you.

== Web & Social ==

[wiRUzA]

Thx dude - finally some1 has shown how it really works.

[HeroShotz]

It’s amazing how long it took for apple to implement this feature.

[RickSumchin]

My latest test: I just plugged in my 1st Gen iPod into my 2017 iPad thru the Apple USB 3 camera connection kit. Voila! Worked perfectly. Can play the music thru the iPad from the iPod. One caveat; being so old, the iPod uses short cryptic file names so you never know what’s going to play, but plays perfectly and responds promptly to start, stop etc. good fun!

[arniewilenken]

Took your advice and purchased recommended devices. They worked great with an iPhone 13! Thanks much!!!

[yes]

All of your videos are superb and extremely informative and easily digestible many thanks 🙂

[bobboB]

Great tute, very clear. Thanks, Pete. Got a nice chuckle out of your naming the drive ABOUT TIME.🤣

[bernaldulce]

WOOWWW WHY DIDNT I THINK OF THAT?!? Ugh thank you thank you thank you LIFE SAVER!!!🤦🏽‍♀️🙌🏽

[Buildermaster]

What would be a good idea is to test a few usb keys and make a list of those who do not require too much power from the iphone to work.
It would really be helpful for the consumer to know what usb keys will be compatible with the dongle !

[RestoreTechnique]

Can you play/view the files on the card? Without transferring them?

[JunaidKureshi]

Wow you put lot of effort, great tutorial very detailed, you almost covered all scenarios, thanks

[creativediva]

Please show where you connected the lightning cable to from the adapter, thanks.

[screamingiraffe]

Would this allow moving all photos or music from the phone to the flash drive?

[DrTwine]

thanks man your the best. I've been looking for a video for this so that I can transfer 1080p videos via ps4 usb

[srayproctor]

Hi Pete! Thanks for sharing this information!

[ebentee]

Thanks for this video, I will try and see

[emiel]

It’s a great feature and it will help us, iOS music producers, a lot. You can also hook up an external harddisk via the USB3 Lightning connection kit. Very useful! And a great video, as always, Pete. Greetings, Emiel.

[organicintelligence]

Thank you! This video allowed higher resolution! YT keeps lowing it! It makes it frustrating when trying to read or see what others are showing!

[abdullahgamer]

yo bro thank you so much, I had to plug my iPhone into the public computer at work and everyone would see all my photos but now I can just use a flash drive instead.

[johnmixon]

Great video. Lots of info, links, and great replies to questions. I cant wait to see your other videos!! Thanks

[lindaharris]

I have apple Lightning to USB 3 camera adapter and as you show it tells me not enough power, but when I plug in charger doesn’t make any difference - help please