How to transfer pictures from iphone to flash drive without computer

You can use a PC to transfer photos from iPhone to Flash Drive the old-fashioned way (use a data cable) or through other means like cloud services to use as a photo mule.

If you are wondering how to transfer photos from iPhone to flash drive, it’s a simple process.  I regularly keep backups of my iPhone on an external hard drive. Here are several easy-to-follow methods that allow you to transfer photos from iPhone to Flash Drive!

• How To Transfer Photos From iPhone To Flash Drive?
• 1. Using A Mac
• 2. Using A Windows PC
• 3. Using iCloud
• 4. Using Google Photos
• 5. Using Email
• 6. Using AirDrop
• Transfer Photos Without Mac/PC
• 7. Buy A Specialized Flash Drive
• Conclusion

How To Transfer Photos From iPhone To Flash Drive?

The easiest methods are often the oldest ones, and I recommend you stick with them if you need to transfer photos from iPhone quickly. If you are going to copy photos in bulk, getting a USB cable is the way to go.

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1. Using A Mac

Using a Mac system to transfer photos from iPhone to a flash drive is easy thanks to the Photos app. However, the Photos app can only transfer photos from the iPhone camera roll, so you won’t be able to use it for photos you got from other sources like iCloud shares or downloads. You can download the photos and manually transfer them to the camera roll, which would be required to transfer them to a Mac.

Here is how you can connect your iPhone to the Mac and transfer files manually:

• You will need a USB cable and a macOS laptop or computer for this to work
• Connect your iPhone or iPad to the Mac using the USB cable. It’s the same one that you use to charge the phone
• Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes on Mac
• Once connected, the Photos app will automatically boot up. Run it manually in case it doesn’t start it up
• Now you’ll see all your camera roll photos here
• Click the Import button
• Select the camera roll photos you want to transfer to the flash drive and then click on “Import Selected” or in case you want to import all photos click on “Import All New Photos”
• This will transfer iPhone photos from iPhone to the Mac
• Now you can plug in your flash drive in the USB port of the Mac
• Find the flash drive in the Finder
• Open another Finder window, but this time open the Pictures folder you just copied
• Drag the whole library to the flash drive and wait for the Mac to transfer photos from iPhone to the drive

Now you have successfully copied iPhone photos from your camera roll to a flash drive using the Photos App.

2. Using A Windows PC

Using a Windows-based computer to transfer iPhone photos to a USB Flash drive is easy as well. Here is how you can pull it off:

• Connect your iPhone to your Windows-based PC using a USB cable
• On the PC, open the iPhone as a portable device by using Windows Explorer and double-clicking the newly shown drive
• On the window, you’ll see a couple of folders.  Navigate to the one that says DCIM
• The DCIM is the folder that has all your camera photos
• Once inside, select the photos you want and copy them
• Insert the Flash Drive into another USB port
• Open the Flash Drive in another window and paste the photos you just copied
• This will transfer pictures to the USB

Now you’ve successfully copied the photos to the USB flash drive

3. Using iCloud

You’ll still need a PC or Mac for this method, but it eliminates the need to have a USB cable or connect your phone to a device.

• Backup all your photos and videos on the iPhone to iCloud
• On your Mac or PC, log into iCloud
• Locate the photos you need and download them
• Insert the Flash drives into a USB port on the Mac/PC
• Open it up and transfer photos to it

4. Using Google Photos

Google Photos is another good cloud storage service that allows you to upload photos for free. The process is simple and almost exactly like iCloud.

• Back up your photos and videos on Google Photos. It has 15 GB of free storage and will require a Google account
• Now on your PC or Mac, open Google Photos in a browser
• You’ll see all your photos there, select the ones you need and download them
• Now simply copy them over to the USB Flash Drive
• This will transfer pictures from the PC to the external storage device of your choice

That's it. Now you have photos on your USB flash drive and a backup copy available on Google Photos.

5. Using Email

If you want to transfer iPhone photos, you can use email to do that as well.

• Go to the iPhone gallery
• Select the photos you want to transfer
• Then click on the Share icon and then select Mail
• From there you’ll be taken to your preferred email app
• Simply send the photos to your own email address
• You can also transfer camera roll photos with this method
• Now on a PC or Mac, log into your email and download the attached photos
• Copy the downloaded photos to the USB flash drive
• You've successfully transferred photos from iPhone to flash drive

6. Using AirDrop

Using AirDrop is a breath of fresh air as it is super convenient. The catch is that it only works on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, and these need to have AirDrop enabled. Simply transfer pictures or photos from iPhone to your USB flash drive via AirDrop to your Mac and you can easily copy them.

I also recommend turning off AirDrop after sending files to avoid unsolicited files being sent to you in a public setting, and I’m talking from experience here. You still need to accept them as a popup will display if you accept the file but it’s better to be safe than accidentally click on “yes”. 

Related Reading

• How Do You Find Airdrop History? An Ultimate Guide

Transfer Photos Without Mac/PC

7. Buy A Specialized Flash Drive

Apple uses their proprietary Lightning Port on their iPhones, so regular dongles don’t work with them. Thankfully, there are several companies that make specialized USB flash drives/USB stick that can directly plug into the iPhone, so you can easily transfer photos from iPhone. Here are my recommendations:

SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive – It comes in 64,128, and 256 GB capacities and is reasonably priced. You can easily plug it directly into your phone and transfer photos from iPhone. Then you can simply flip it over and plug it into a Mac or PC. It also comes with automatic backup options, but you’ll need to download the companion app.

SanDisk Connect Wireless – The Connect Wireless does exactly what the name implies, it allows to wirelessly save photos and videos to the Flash Drive without the need for a PC. It basically comes with built-in WiFi that can make a wireless connection between your iPhone and the Flash Drive/USB Stick. A simple solution to transfer photos from iPhone if you don’t like cables or don’t want to use a computer.

Qubii Pro – The Qubii Pro Photo Storage Device is simple to use. All you need to do is sandwich it between the charging brick and the charging cable. Then, whenever you charge the iPhone, your photos will be backed up automatically. You’ll also need a MicroSD card with it, though, but the whole setup is worth it if you automatically want to transfer iPhone photos you take to a flash drive/USB device.

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Related Reading

• 8 Easy Ways to Fix Cannot Load Photo On iPhone

Conclusion

These are a few methods to transfer photos from iPhone to flash drive with ease. Some require you to get that trusty charging cable out again, while others need a Mac for AirDrop. Getting a ton of photos from iPhone to flash drive is an easy process. It may take some time but once you find your preferred method, it will be easy to pull off. 

Overall, the whole process enables you to save your precious memories in a solid place so even if your phone gets damaged or the cloud service is down, you have them stored. Cameras on iPhones are phenomenal these days, and it makes perfect sense to save the stunning photos you take at a backup location. I recommend choosing the method of transfer that is most convenient to your needs.

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