How to Copy Photos from iPhone & Android to Flash Drive

Backing Up Phone Photos Without the Cloud

• 💡 You can transfer photos directly from your iPhone or Android phone to a flash drive or portable hard drive, bypassing cloud services.
• 💰 This is a great option if you want to avoid monthly subscription fees for cloud storage or if you've run out of cloud space.

Recommended Storage Devices

• ⚡ The PNY Duo Link flash drive is recommended for its USB-C and USB-A connectors, making it compatible with most modern phones and computers.
• 💾 Larger storage options include 256GB flash drives (under $40) and up to 2TB, as well as solid-state drives like the WLEEX Armor 700 (1TB for about $100).
• 📱 For older iPhones, a lightning connector drive like SanDisk's iXpand is necessary.

Transferring Photos from iPhone

• 🔌 Connect the flash drive to the bottom of your iPhone and open the Photos app.
• 🎯 While Apple doesn't offer a simple 'select all' for the entire library, you can select all photos within a specific media type category (e.g., Selfies).
• 📤 Tap the Share icon, then select 'Export Unmodified Originals', browse to your external drive, and tap Save.

Transferring Photos from Samsung

• 🔌 Attach your flash drive or hard drive to the bottom of your Samsung phone and open the 'My Files' app.
• 🖼️ Navigate to Images, tap the three dots, choose 'Select', then 'Select All'.
• 📂 Tap 'Copy', select your USB storage, and tap 'Copy Here'. Repeat for videos.
• ⚠️ Before removing the drive, be sure to tap the 'Unmount' option to avoid errors.

Important Considerations

• ⚠️ The process described is a copy, not a transfer, meaning files remain on your phone.
• 📚 It's advised to start with a few photos or videos to familiarize yourself with the process before attempting a large backup.
• 🗄️ Always ensure your photos are backed up in at least two separate locations to prevent data loss.