Best Flash Drive for iPhone in (Top 6 to Back Up Photos)

The best flash drive for iPhone should have enough space for your needs. Plus, it should be certified, and you may want it to be password-protected. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We rounded up the top flash drives to back up photos and more from your iPhone!

We’ve got something for everyone. Our top pick is this iDiskk photo stick. It connects to almost any phone, has 256 GB of storage, and makes file transfer a breeze. But keep reading to find out which flash drive best suits your needs.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Flash Drive For iPhone

256GB Photo Stick for iPhone, iPad, Android, PC, Mac

SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe 128 GB

128GB Flash Drive for iPhone, iPad, & Computers

What’s the Best Flash Drive for iPhone?

After summarizing our top picks, we’ll look at our recommendations in more detail.

Our Top Pick

256GB Photo Stick for iPhone, iPad, Android, PC, Mac

Large 256 GB storage capacity
Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android and computers
Easy to back up photos, videos and contacts
Plug and play, no WiFi setup required
Compact and lightweight

Best Cloud Backup

SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe 128 GB

Automatic cloud backup for photos and videos
Stores up to 128 GB of files
Quickly transfers files between iPhone and computer
Password protected for added security
Slim and portable design

Best Phone to Laptop

128GB Flash Drive for iPhone, iPad, & Computers

Compatible with most devices
Dual USB-A and USB-C connectors
128 GB capacity
Fast transfer speeds
Compact and portable

Biggest Storage

Sttarluk 1TB Photo Stick USB Flash Drive

1 TB high-capacity data storage
Superfast data transfer
Easy to use
Shock and water resistant
Compact and lightweight design

Best File Encryption

128GB iPhone Photo Stick: USB3.0, MFi Certified

Supports up to 128 GB memory
High-speed data transfer
Plug and play on both iPhone and iPad
18-month warranty
Ultra-compact, slim design

Best Cross-Platform

64GB Photo and Video USB Flash Drive for Apple, Android and PC

64 GB for plenty of photos and video
Simple one-click first-time backup
Smart backup automatically continues from last one
Supports multiple platforms
Portable and easy to use

6 iPhone Flash Drives in Detail

1. iDiskk 256 GB Photo Stick

Brand	Brand iDiskk
Capacity	Capacity 256 GB
Connections	Connections USB, Lightning, micro USB, USB-C
Key Features	Key Features MFI certified
Best For	Best For Using across a range of old and new devices

For us, the iDiskk photo stick is the ultimate Lightning flash drive for iPhone. And it’s compatible with Android phones as well.

The iDiskk has four ports. Of course, it includes the iPhone USB Lightning port. But it also features a micro USB for older Android smartphones and cameras and USB-C for newer devices. Finally, it has a USB 3.0 port to plug into your computer.

The iDiskk is most helpful if you want to transfer files from an iOS device to an Android or vice versa. Typically, moving data can be frustrating. You either need to connect two devices using a cable or via Wi-Fi.

With the iDiskk, you don’t need the other phone to move all your photos and videos. Just plug in the iDiskk, and you’re ready to transfer!

There are many iPhone flash units out there with questionable quality. But the iDiskk is MFI certified. MFI stands for “Made For iPhone, iPod, and iPad.” That means Apple approved this flash drive for use on their devices. So you can be certain that using it will be safe for your files and smartphone.

2. SanDisk 128 GB iXpand

Brand	Brand SanDisk
Capacity	Capacity 128 GB
Connections	Connections Lightning, USB-C
Key Features	Key Features Automatic backup and password protection
Best For	Best For Recording direct from iPhone to flash drive

SanDisk has been around longer than most brands selling flash drives. iPhone users know it for its quality products. If you want a reliable flash drive for your iPhone, the SanDisk iXpand is your best choice.

This iPhone flash drive has 64, 128, or 256 GB storage. 64 GB is enough to store all the files from a single iPhone. But if you have a lot of files to transfer, you can always get the 128 or 256 GB options.

You can use the iXpand as an iPhone external storage if you’re a smartphone filmmaker. It lets you record video straight to the flash drive. So you don’t have to worry about filling up your memory while shooting footage. Of course, it comes with a USB-C connector if you need to transfer those files quickly to your computer.

This SanDisk iPhone USB drive has automatic backup. It sends your files to the Cloud via the iXpand Drive app. It also features password protection to ensure nobody else can access your files.

3. PNY 128 GB DUO LINK

Brand	Brand PNY
Capacity	Capacity 128 GB
Connections	Connections USB, Lightning
Key Features	Key Features Works as a Lightning to USB connection
Best For	Best For Backing up files when there's no internet available

Like Sandisk, PNY is another excellent brand. It has produced high-quality storage devices for decades. They have everything from solid-state drives to, you guessed it, several iPhone flash drive options.

The DUO LINK is the best iPhone flash drive that PNY offers. It can store 32, 64, and 128 GB of files. The storage space options are a bit lower than the Sandisk iXpand. But for smartphone photos and videos, even 32 GB is more than enough, in our opinion.

What makes the DUO LINK different? It’s more than a flash drive for iPhone. It also doubles as a connecting cable to your computer.

Unlike flash drives with a solid body, this device has a short, flexible cable. This lets you transfer files quickly and doubles as a charger for your iPhone or iPad Mini. It features a USB plug that makes it compatible with most computers.

The PNY DUO LINK comes with the PNY DUO LINK 4 app that features automatic backup. It lets you access your files at any time without connecting to Wi-Fi. That’s convenient, especially if you’re in a location with no internet connection.

4. Sttarluk USB 1 TB

Brand	Brand STTARLUK
Capacity	Capacity 1 TB
Connections	Connections USB, Lightning, USB-C, Micro USB
Key Features	Key Features Fingerprint recognition
Best For	Best For Backing up the entire contents of your phone

Sttarluk is one of the more affordable flash drives on this list. But it’s also one of the options with the most features. Let’s look at the few advantages it has with competing storage devices.

First, Starrluk comes with 1 TB of storage. That’s way more than any flash drive on this list offers. It’s the best option for an iPhone like the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which also has 1 TB of storage.

Starrluk also isn’t only a flash drive for iPhone. It’s also compatible with Android smartphones. It comes with detachable USB-C and Lightning ports. You can switch them out depending on your device. And if you have an older phone, don’t worry. The kit comes with a micro USB as well.

As for data security, Starrluk has password protection. It also features fingerprint recognition to ensure your files are safe. Its Luv Share App lets you back up your files with a single tap on your phone.

5. JSL JDTDC 128 GB iOS

Brand	Brand JSL JDTDC
Capacity	Capacity 128 GB
Connections	Connections USB, Lightning, USB-C
Key Features	Key Features MFI certified
Best For	Best For Keeping your files password-protected

If you want a flash drive for iPhone with a lot of storage space, you need to look at the JDTDC photo stick. It comes in 128 and 512 GB options. That’s a lot of storage if you have lots of files to transfer.

This flash drive has an app that lets you back up all your data with password protection. You can use it to transfer your photos and videos to the Cloud. So you won’t lose your files even if you lose your flash drive!

As it says in its product name, it’s MFI-certified. That means Apple has inspected and approved all the hardware in this hard drive. So you can be confident that it’s fully compatible with iOS devices.

The JDTDC photo stick has a USB 3.0 connector. It lets you seamlessly transfer files from your phone to your computer. It’s quick and safe. And it comes with a hinged cover to ensure the USB connector stays clean when unused.

6. Picture Keeper 64 GB

Brand	Brand Picture Keeper
Capacity	Capacity 64 GB
Connections	Connections USB, Lightning, USB-C, Micro USB
Key Features	Key Features Simple backup process via the free app
Best For	Best For Backing up files from a variety of sources

This is one of the most popular and well-reviewed flash drives for a good reason. People like using it because of its simple design and ease of use. The Picture Keeper Connect looks like any other flash drive. That’s what makes it appealing. Its clear lids protect the USB. And Lightning ports let people quickly see which end of the stick they need.

This nifty gadget has a built-in Lightning connector for your iPhone or iPad. But it also has a USB-C and micro USB attachment if you need to transfer data to an Android device.

The Picture Keeper Connect has several options from 16 to 256 GB. But the most popular is the 32 GB. It may seem inadequate compared to the 1 TB versions on this list. But it’s enough to store up to 16,000 pictures. And that’s more images than an average person takes on an iPhone!

5 iPhone Flash Drive Features

What should you look for in an iPhone flash drive? Here are five things to consider.

1. MFI Certification

MFI stands for “Made for iPhone, iPod, and iPad.” Apple products tend to have more proprietary features than Android devices. For instance, they use a Lightning cable. They don’t use universal USB-C, so third-party products are likelier to fail with Apple devices.

The MFI certification ensures third-party products follow Apple’s strict criteria. This is done so that they don’t fail when people use them. Check if your flash drive for iPhone says it’s MFI certified. That way, you can be confident that it’s compatible with your Apple devices.

2. Ample Storage

Before buying a flash drive for your iPhone, find out how much memory your phone has. It helps you narrow down the flash drives you need to consider.

If your phone can store lots of files, it’s best to get a flash drive that can hold just as much data, if not more. Remember that not all iPhones have the same storage space.

The iPhone 13 has a storage space of up to 512 GB, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max can save up to 1 TB of files. Meanwhile, if you have the older iPhone XR, you may only have either 64 or 256 GB.

Research the storage space of your specific device. Ensure your flash drive has enough memory to handle all your photos and videos.

3. Cloud Storage

Redundancy is crucial when it comes to storing your files securely. You need to back up all your photos and videos. That way, you don’t have to worry when accidentally deleting an image on your device.

Apart from storing your files physically in your flash drive, you can also upload them to the Cloud for redundancy. Thankfully, some brands like PNY and Sandisk offer Cloud storage services. They sync with your iPhone and flash drive.

But be aware that not all flash drives offer Cloud storage. To use this feature, buy a brand with this service.

4. USB and Lightning vs USB-C Connectors

Look for flash drives that have a fast USB connector. By “fast,” we mean it should be capable of transferring files quickly without losing all your data. Currently, the fastest USB connector is USB 3.0.

USB 2.0’s transfer rate is about 480 Mbps, while USB 3.0 is 4,800 Mbps. It’s the perfect option, especially if you need to transfer large files to your computer.

Also, your flash drive needs a lighting port instead of a USB-C connector to connect to your iPhone. Remember that USB-C devices are Android, so it’s incompatible with portable Apple devices.

5. Password Protection

Nobody wants other people to steal their data. That’s why it’s essential to have a storage device with password protection. This ensures no one can easily access your files.

But not all flash drives have password protection. Do your research and determine if the device you want has this feature.

Flash Drive for iPhone Recommendations

The iDiskk may be our favorite, but that isn’t the only option. We all know it depends on your needs and preferences. That’s why we’re listing a few alternatives below for you!

Budget Pick

If you don’t want to spend much money on a flash drive, then the SanDisk 128GB iXpand Flash Drive is an excellent option. It may look fancy, but the price is more than reasonable. And if 128 GB is more storage than you need, you can go for the 64 GB iXpand, which is even cheaper.

SanDisk 128GB iXpand Flash Drive

Most Storage

The Sttarluk flash drive has a whopping 1 TB of storage, which is more than most users need. But if you have a lot of files to transfer or video backups, this is the one we recommend.

Sttarluk USB 1TB

Best for Pros

Sandisk is a highly reputable company when it comes to data storage devices. So it only makes sense to recommend the Sandisk iXpand. It has a robust construction and reliable electronics that will not fail you.

SanDisk 128GB iXpand

Conclusion: Best Flash Drive for iPhone

The best flash drive for iPhone is the iDiskk 256 GB photo stick. This flash drive is great for backing up photos, videos, and other files quickly and efficiently.

It is also reliable and durable. This makes it the perfect choice as a reliable and secure way to back up your data. With its large storage capacity, it is sure to meet the needs of any user!

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Flash Drive For iPhone

256GB Photo Stick for iPhone, iPad, Android, PC, Mac

SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe 128 GB

128GB Flash Drive for iPhone, iPad, & Computers