You can use the Files app and other supported apps to access files stored on external devices, such as USB drives and SD cards, connected to your iPhone.

June 27, 2025 - Use a Lightning to USB-3 adapter or USB-C to USB adapter to connect a USB drive to an iPhone or iPad. Open the Files app and tap the USB drive name underneath "Locations". Safely eject the USB drive by closing the Files app and disconnecting ...

By default, you need to first unlock your iPhone or iPad to connect to an accessory or computer — like USB or Thunderbolt devices, Smart Connector accessories for iPad, or a Mac or PC.

August 7, 2025 - I’ve tested Apple’s Lightning/USB adapter with plenty of drives. I tested a bunch is thumbdrives from different companies and a range of capacities. And I tried the adapter with a Samsung T7 solid state drive. It worked perfectly with all of them. Whether you have an iPhone, iPad or iPad Pro, the only software you’ll need to access the contents of USB drives is Apple’s Files application.

August 30, 2023 - Plug in your charging cable to the Lightning port on the USB 3.0 Camera Adapter. You'll find the Lightning port to the right of your iPhone's USB port. Connect the same charging cable you use to charge your device to ensure the adapter has enough ...

September 27, 2024 - Plug the Adapter into Your iPhone: Connect the appropriate adapter to your iPhone’s charging port. Connect the USB Drive: Plug your USB drive into the USB-A port on the adapter. Access Your Files: Open the Files app on your iPhone.

July 15, 2025 - Some flash drives are designed ... iPhones) or a USB-C flash drive (for newer iPhones like the iPhone 15). Plug the flash drive into the adapter or port, then open the Files app on your iPhone....

August 31, 2023 - If your USB flash drive has a standard ... 13 to access the external drive. Additionally, you'll need a USB-A to Lightning adapter to connect the dongle to your iPhone. If your device is an older generation and may not provide enough power to the dongle, opt for an adapter with a second Lightning input for external power. The USB stick 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 ...

To learn how much power a drive ... select the drive in the USB Device Tree at the top, and then read the Current Required line. Accessing Your Drive Once you’ve connected a drive to your device, you can access it in Files. On the iPhone, or if you’re using your iPad ...

May 27, 2021 - The easiest way to use a USB drive with an iPhone is to use a device designed for this purpose, such as a USB drive with a Lightning cable adapter attached. This device plugs directly into an iPhone with no extra devices.

November 22, 2019 - To learn how much power a drive ... in the sidebar, select the drive in the USB Device Tree at the top, and then read the Current Required line. Once you’ve connected a drive to your device, you can access it in Files. On the iPhone, or if you’re using your iPad in portrait ...

January 16, 2025 - Access the files saved on your iPhone or iPad inside Mac’s Finder or PC’s Apple Devices app. Select the file, right-click over it and choose Delete. In the above steps, you saw how to copy files from a computer to an iPhone or iPad and vice versa via a Lightning or USB-C cable.

June 7, 2021 - To connect a portable device, use an adapter cable with a 30-pin or Lightning connector at one end and a standard USB port on the other. If you only want to transfer files, use a portable memory stick.

Here's how to access the setting: Open the Settings app. Choose Touch ID & Passcode or Face ID & Passcode, depending on the device. Enter your passcode to access the settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the app where it says "USB Accessories."