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Anyway to use iP4 as a "USB drive"

M

MrMister111

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jan 28, 2009
3,900
382
UK
Hi

I want to carry some files with me on my iPhone 4. then plug it into a PC with the iP4 UB lead and be able to copy them from the iP4 to the PC, eg docs, zip files. I dont want to have to install anything else on the PC the files are going to though (its a work PC)

Is this possible? with an app? - called what? Can it work with the USB lead or only WiFi, as the PCs I want to connect with dont have WiFi on

cheers
 
why not just use DropBox.com. No need to jailbreak. No need to install anything. And you can access the files anywhere - for free.

Sometimes simplicity is the best answer...
 
samcraig said:
why not just use DropBox.com. No need to jailbreak. No need to install anything. And you can access the files anywhere - for free.

Sometimes simplicity is the best answer...
Click to expand...

Depending on the OP's needs, I'm not sure that Dropbox is an alternative to a USB drive-like solution. Dropbox requires internet access, which isn't always possible. It all depends on what you are trying to achieve. Plus, there is a security risk with Dropbox, as a third party has access to your files.
 
Well, the easiest way would be to just send the file via email no ?

The iPhone has an internet connexion and.. well every (work) computer has one no ?
 
grapes911 said:
Depending on the OP's needs, I'm not sure that Dropbox is an alternative to a USB drive-like solution. Dropbox requires internet access, which isn't always possible. It all depends on what you are trying to achieve. Plus, there is a security risk with Dropbox, as a third party has access to your files.
Click to expand...

+ time required to download a 1gb+ file vs time required copying it from usb device.
 
grapes911 said:
Depending on the OP's needs, I'm not sure that Dropbox is an alternative to a USB drive-like solution. Dropbox requires internet access, which isn't always possible. It all depends on what you are trying to achieve. Plus, there is a security risk with Dropbox, as a third party has access to your files.
Click to expand...



This.


Do to security reasons a lot of my files cant be viewed by the public. But I do a lot of my work at home and bring it to my commander to review. I would love to be able to just bring my phone instead of carrying all kinds of crap.
 
samcraig said:
why not just use DropBox.com. No need to jailbreak. No need to install anything. And you can access the files anywhere - for free.

Sometimes simplicity is the best answer...
Click to expand...

Dropbox is known to corrupt some kinds of files. You have to be careful what files you try to put in the dropbox. I discovered this when I tried to use it between an iMac and a MBP. I would copy the file to the dropbox and see it updated on the MBP, but trying to use the file would fail and the application would say "corrupted file". I looked in the dropbox forum and there was a thread that say you can't sync that type of file.
 
OutlawImmortal said:
This.


Do to security reasons a lot of my files cant be viewed by the public. But I do a lot of my work at home and bring it to my commander to review. I would love to be able to just bring my phone instead of carrying all kinds of crap.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't recommend an iPhone for military work...there are USB flash drives that have encryption technology needed for such secret information such as IronKey:

https://www.ironkey.com/
 
I love the app named 'Files.'

I love Dropbox too, but when you don't have internet on the other computer then Files is awesome to have.

When you have iTunes on both computers you can use USB to copy files on and off. When you don't have iTunes you can copy files over Wifi but you DON'T need internet. I've created a wifi network with my Macbook, transferred files to my phone, and then e-mailed those files from the phone. Works great.

(And heck, so many people have iTunes you can USUALLY use the USB method.)

http://www.olivetoast.com/files/
 
Here is a perfect need for an app:

Someone make an app that allows people to copy files to its directory via iTunes (like what Files does), but then encrypts the files and moves them to a private place. This way, the files are inaccessible in iTunes until decrypted on the device, and if the phone is jailbroken, the files are not decodable either.

Of course, adding features like destroying data after "X" bad attempts on the passphrase, as well as a "duress" code wouldn't hurt either.
 
Jnardis said:
Agreed, but some offices block the site (like mine) :eek:.
Click to expand...

My office network does too. My iPhone is not jailbroken. I cant install apps on office PC, so no iTunes either.

Suppose could email, but still not best, sometimes office network stops stuff, and as you say big downloads aren't allowed.
 
OutlawImmortal said:
I would love to be able to just bring my phone instead of carrying all kinds of crap.
Click to expand...

Do you honestly see yourself using your iPhone as a USB drive? Even if it had that functionality (it doesn't), how would you plug it in? You would have to bring the cable with you, which is far less convenient than a USB thumb drive.
 
Eso said:
Do you honestly see yourself using your iPhone as a USB drive? Even if it had that functionality (it doesn't), how would you plug it in? You would have to bring the cable with you, which is far less convenient than a USB thumb drive.
Click to expand...

Just for work. I have a spare cable at work and home for charging, so always have a cable and always have my iPhone. I cant take a USB drive all the time, as virus are about at work etc etc.

So for the odd file I need, I could take it on my iPhone
 
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