DB Labs
Quick Answer
To transfer photos from iPhone to a USB drive, connect a USB-C flash drive directly (iPhone 15+) or use a Lightning to USB adapter (older models). Open the Files app, then go to Photos > select photos > Share > Save to Files > choose your USB drive. Alternatively, use the Photos app to select images, tap Share, then Save to Files and pick the USB drive as the destination. The drive must be formatted as exFAT, FAT32, or APFS.
What You Need
Before you start, gather the right hardware. The requirements differ depending on which iPhone model you own.
For iPhone 15 and Later (USB-C)
iPhone 15 and newer models use a USB-C port, so you can plug in any standard USB-C flash drive directly. No adapter needed. If your flash drive is USB-A, you will need a USB-A to USB-C adapter, which costs around $8-10.
For iPhone 14 and Earlier (Lightning)
Older iPhones require Apple's Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter (model MK0W2AM/A, around $39). This adapter provides a USB-A port where you plug in your flash drive. There are also third-party Lightning flash drives from brands like SanDisk (iXpand) that plug directly into the Lightning port.
Method 1: Transfer via the Files App
The Files app is the most straightforward method and works with any USB drive that iOS recognizes.
1 Connect the USB Drive
Plug your USB drive into your iPhone directly (USB-C) or via the Lightning adapter. Wait a few seconds for iOS to recognize the drive. You will not see a notification — just proceed to the next step.
2 Open the Files App
Launch the Files app and tap Browse at the bottom. Under Locations, you should see your USB drive listed by name (e.g., "SANDISK" or "USB DRIVE"). If you do not see it, try unplugging and reconnecting the drive.
3 Open Photos and Select Images
Open the Photos app, tap Select in the upper right, and choose the photos and videos you want to transfer. To select many photos quickly, tap and drag across multiple thumbnails. You can also go to an album and select all items at once using Select All.
4 Share to Files
With your photos selected, tap the Share button (square with up arrow). Scroll down in the share sheet and tap Save to Files. Navigate to your USB drive in the Locations list, choose a folder (or create a new one), and tap Save.
5 Wait for Transfer to Complete
A progress bar appears at the top of the Files app. Transfer speed depends on your drive and the number of photos. Expect roughly 500-1,000 photos per minute for a fast USB 3.0 drive. Do not disconnect the drive until the progress bar completes.
Method 2: Drag and Drop (iPad-Style)
If you use Split View or Slide Over, you can open Photos on one side and Files on the other, then drag photos directly to the USB drive. This works best on larger iPhones (Pro Max models) where Split View is available, but Slide Over works on any model.
Tips for Large Transfers
- Transfer in batches: iOS occasionally fails if you try to copy thousands of photos at once. Transfer 500-1,000 at a time for best reliability.
- Keep your iPhone charged: Large transfers can drain the battery. Plug into power if transferring more than 5,000 photos.
- Use USB 3.0 or faster: USB 2.0 drives are painfully slow for large photo libraries. A USB 3.0 or 3.1 drive transfers at 5-10x the speed.
- Check available space: Before starting, make sure your USB drive has enough free space. A quick way to estimate: 1,000 HEIC photos take roughly 2-3 GB.
After the Transfer
Once your photos are safely on the USB drive, you can verify the transfer by opening the Files app and browsing the drive's contents. Tap a few photos to confirm they open correctly. After verifying, you can safely delete the originals from your iPhone to free up storage.
For other methods to get photos off your iPhone, see our guides on transferring photos to a computer and backing up photos without iCloud.