Use iPhone as external hard drive or flash drive?

photogpab · Mar 1, 2012, 02:07 PM

is there any way for me to use my iphone as an external hard drive / flash drive so i can transfer files from my work computer to my mac at home?

i should mention i have no internet access at home at the moment, which is why i dont just use dropbox or something else like that... i'll need a way to transfer files from my work PC to my Mac at home by plugging the device in as a hard drive.

possible?

old-wiz · Mar 1, 2012, 02:12 PM

Only if you jailbreak it. Apple doesn't provide access to the iPod/iPhone file system.
USB thumb drives are cheap - do that.

photogpab · Mar 1, 2012, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old-wiz

Only if you jailbreak it. Apple doesn't provide access to the iPod/iPhone file system.
USB thumb drives are cheap - do that.

yeah its probably my best bet. and i can use them between Windows and Mac easily with no problem?

PCs at work are Windows, Mac at home

PNutts · Mar 1, 2012, 02:30 PM

There are a number of apps that allow you to do that. Sorry, I don't have any so I can't speak to any of them.

photogpab · Mar 1, 2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNutts

There are a number of apps that allow you to do that. Sorry, I don't have any so I can't speak to any of them.

but do they require internet connection? wifi?

Antoni Nygaard · Mar 1, 2012, 02:49 PM

Do you have iTunes on both computers? Then you can use USB Disk app from the ap store it's free. Install it connect your iPhone to iTunes using cable or wifi, click under the apps tab under the iPhone section. Scroll down click on the USB disk abb there can you drop files and copy them back to your computer.

ChittagongBoy · Mar 1, 2012, 02:57 PM

Use Dropbox, works like magic....

Antoni Nygaard · Mar 1, 2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChittagongBoy

Use Dropbox, works like magic....

Read first post again. He already said he don't have Internet at home

Biff... · Mar 1, 2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChittagongBoy

Use Dropbox, works like magic....

+1 on Dropbox. The free 2gb they give you is enough for most tasks.

ChittagongBoy · Mar 1, 2012, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antoni Nygaard

Read first post again. He already said he don't have Internet at home

ooops my bad

ap3604 · 04:49 PM

The app called FileApp has a USB file transfer option (in addition to wifi)

Here's there website explaining it : http://www.digidna.net/products/fileapp/getting-started

PNutts · 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photogpab

but do they require internet connection? wifi?

From what I remember, no. I'll do some digging around tomorrow. You might try some generic app store searches for thumb drive or external drive or files. Don't ignore the ones that brag about wireless because they also may use USB.

What the heck, it's not quite bedtime... I searched on "storage" and came up with:

USB Flash Drive Pro for iPhone
iFlashDrive Free

There's more out there but now it's bedtime so...

brice00 · Aug 24, 2012, 11:32 PM

Hey, there are a bunch of apps out there that will allow you to do this over itunes. I just downloaded Phone Drive, which allows for all sorts of media to be moved from computer to phone to another computer. I've done the same with a PDF reader and Word docs as well. But if you search for "file sharing" in the store, you'll see several that allow this.

Then... In iTunes, plug your phone into your computer, click on your phone to the left, then go to the "APPS" page. Scroll to the bottom to "File Sharing" and click on your new app. For me, Phone Drive. Then hit "ADD" and you'll be able to add any kind of file you want.

Hope this helps.

Brice

sulpfiction · Aug 25, 2012, 12:02 AM

U are officially the last person without Internet access at home. Lol

Exio · Aug 25, 2012, 12:12 AM

Apple likes to restrict users, so you will have to jailbreak it to do this.

M87 · Aug 25, 2012, 09:48 AM

GoodReader should work. No jailbreak necessary.

master-ceo · Aug 25, 2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photogpab

but do they require internet connection? wifi?

I suggest AirDisk Pro and transfer files via bluetooth

Sital · Aug 25, 2012, 10:41 AM

Just use a USB flash drive. You can switch between PCs and Macs with it.

JayLenochiniMac · Aug 25, 2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sulpfiction

U are officially the last person without Internet access at home. Lol

There's a bunch of idiots here who got rid of their landline wifi and tried to rely on cellular to get their internet (tethering, etc.) and end up being throttled.

sheels · 02:49 AM

Programs like iPhone Mac Transfer and free plugins Fuse for Mac OS X allows to use iPhone as external hard drive.

Isamilis · Feb 22, 2013, 09:22 AM

Just curious. Do you know what program is that (for jailbroken)? thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by old-wiz

Only if you jailbreak it. Apple doesn't provide access to the iPod/iPhone file system.
USB thumb drives are cheap - do that.

hnma · Mar 6, 2013, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sulpfiction

U are officially the last person without Internet access at home. Lol

You are officially the most ignorant person on this forum so far.

What you are saying would be true for those who have never left their town. Get out of your shell and see the actual world not the virtual one.

BHP41 · Mar 6, 2013, 08:13 AM

If you have iTunes on both then you can drag and drop to apps that support it. Goodreader is a great one and I believe the new "Files" app supports this also.

There are a few options. If you want a USB like utility on your iPhone then you'll need to jailbreak and install iFile.

The first option is much easier and simpler to use though. IMO.

Mar 1, 2012, 02:07 PM	#1
photogpab macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2010	Use iPhone as external hard drive or flash drive? is there any way for me to use my iphone as an external hard drive / flash drive so i can transfer files from my work computer to my mac at home? i should mention i have no internet access at home at the moment, which is why i dont just use dropbox or something else like that... i'll need a way to transfer files from my work PC to my Mac at home by plugging the device in as a hard drive. possible?
	0

Mar 1, 2012, 02:30 PM	#4
PNutts macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest, US	There are a number of apps that allow you to do that. Sorry, I don't have any so I can't speak to any of them. __________________ Texting driver gets 3-year prison term Texting driver crashes and kills two, injures 38 Show this to your friends and family to help them choose to not text and drive
	0

Mar 1, 2012, 02:57 PM	#7
ChittagongBoy macrumors newbie Join Date: Aug 2011	flash drive Use Dropbox, works like magic....
	0

Mar 1, 2012, 04:44 PM	#11
ap3604 Banned Join Date: Jan 2011	The app called FileApp has a USB file transfer option (in addition to wifi) Here's there website explaining it : http://www.digidna.net/products/fileapp/getting-started Last edited by ap3604; Mar 1, 2012 at 04:49 PM.
	0

Aug 24, 2012, 11:32 PM	#13
brice00 macrumors newbie Join Date: Aug 2012	several apps that do what you're looking to do without internet access Hey, there are a bunch of apps out there that will allow you to do this over itunes. I just downloaded Phone Drive, which allows for all sorts of media to be moved from computer to phone to another computer. I've done the same with a PDF reader and Word docs as well. But if you search for "file sharing" in the store, you'll see several that allow this. Then... In iTunes, plug your phone into your computer, click on your phone to the left, then go to the "APPS" page. Scroll to the bottom to "File Sharing" and click on your new app. For me, Phone Drive. Then hit "ADD" and you'll be able to add any kind of file you want. Hope this helps. Brice
	0

Mar 1, 2012, 02:12 PM	#2
old-wiz macrumors 603 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Suburban Boston Ma	Only if you jailbreak it. Apple doesn't provide access to the iPod/iPhone file system. USB thumb drives are cheap - do that.
	1

Mar 1, 2012, 02:49 PM	#6
Antoni Nygaard macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Denmark	Do you have iTunes on both computers? Then you can use USB Disk app from the ap store it's free. Install it connect your iPhone to iTunes using cable or wifi, click under the apps tab under the iPhone section. Scroll down click on the USB disk abb there can you drop files and copy them back to your computer.
	0

Aug 25, 2012, 12:02 AM	#14
sulpfiction macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philadelphia Area	U are officially the last person without Internet access at home. Lol
	3

Aug 25, 2012, 12:12 AM	#15
Exio macrumors regular Join Date: May 2012	Apple likes to restrict users, so you will have to jailbreak it to do this.
	0

Aug 25, 2012, 09:48 AM	#16
M87 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2009	GoodReader should work. No jailbreak necessary. __________________ 15" rMBP; iPad 4; iPhone 5 I <3 
	0

Aug 25, 2012, 10:41 AM	#18
Sital macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2012 Location: Boston	Just use a USB flash drive. You can switch between PCs and Macs with it. __________________ "I'd rather good people trust me than bad people fear me."
	0

Feb 22, 2013, 09:12 AM	#20
sheels macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2012	Programs like iPhone Mac Transfer and free plugins Fuse for Mac OS X allows to use iPhone as external hard drive. Last edited by sheels; Feb 25, 2013 at 02:49 AM. Reason: for example
	0

Mar 6, 2013, 08:13 AM	#23
BHP41 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: United States of America	If you have iTunes on both then you can drag and drop to apps that support it. Goodreader is a great one and I believe the new "Files" app supports this also. There are a few options. If you want a USB like utility on your iPhone then you'll need to jailbreak and install iFile. The first option is much easier and simpler to use though. IMO.
	0

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