Connecting a SanDisk 1TB SSD to your iPhone allows you to store, transfer, and access files, especially if you have an iPhone 15 or later with a USB-C port.
🔌 Connection Requirements
The connection method depends on your iPhone model's port:
* For iPhone 15 series (USB-C Port):
* You can connect the SanDisk SSD directly to your iPhone's USB-C port using the USB-C cable that came with the SSD.
* Many SanDisk Extreme Portable SSDs are tested and compatible with these models.
* For Older iPhones (Lightning Port):
* You will need a compatible adapter, such as the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter (which also has a Lightning port for power).
* Connect the adapter to your iPhone, connect the SSD to the adapter's USB port, and if necessary, connect a power source to the adapter's Lightning port, as some external SSDs draw too much power for the iPhone alone.
💾 Drive Preparation
* File Format: Ensure your SanDisk SSD is formatted in a file system compatible with iOS, such as exFAT, FAT32, FAT, or APFS. iPhones will not read drives formatted with NTFS. Most SanDisk portable SSDs come pre-formatted with exFAT for broad compatibility. If your iPhone doesn't recognize the drive, you may need to reformat it using a computer (be aware this will erase all data).
📁 Accessing and Transferring Files
Once connected, you will use the Files app on your iPhone to manage the drive:
* Open the Files App: The Files app is a pre-installed app on your iPhone.
* Locate the Drive: Tap the Browse tab at the bottom. Your external SSD should appear under the Locations section (it might be named "USB Drive," "Portable SSD," or the manufacturer's name). Tap the name to view the contents.
* Transfer Files:
* To copy files to the SSD:
* Navigate to the file you want to transfer (e.g., in your iCloud Drive or 'On My iPhone').
* Long-press on the file or folder and select Copy.
* Navigate to the desired location on your SanDisk SSD, long-press in an empty area, and select Paste.
* Direct Save from Photos/Videos:
* Open the Photos app, select the photos/videos you want to transfer.
* Tap the Share icon (square with an up arrow).
* Select Save to Files.
* Choose your SanDisk SSD as the destination, and tap Save.
* Disconnect Safely: Unlike a desktop computer, you typically do not need to "eject" the drive from your iPhone. You can simply unplug the SSD once your file transfer is complete.
Newer iPhones (iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max) also support direct video recording in ProRes format to an external SSD like the SanDisk 1TB, saving you from filling up your iPhone's internal storage.
The video provides a demonstration of connecting a SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD to a mobile phone, showing how it is recognized and accessed.
Connecting SanDisk Exreme Portable SSD in Mobile