Adding storage space to your iPhone is easy — you just need the right SSD. I’ve tested ones that work with Apple’s handset and found three standout options for holding gigabytes of images, video and more without massively bulking up the handset.
So here are the best SSDs for your iPhone. All you need to do now is decide whether you want the tiny drive to emphasize speed, security or affordability.
This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.
Best iPhone SSDs: Practical solutions
For years, iPhone storage was something users had to get right at the time of purchase. It’s always been expensive, but get too little and you were stuck juggling photos, videos and apps. But times have changed: the growing support for external solid-state drives means it’s become practical to add significant storage capacity to an iPhone.
With newer iPhone models offering fast USB-C connectivity, users can plug in a compact SSD and instantly expand their available space, offloading large 4K video files, ProRes recordings, and sprawling photo libraries without waiting on cloud uploads or worrying about data caps.
And the right SSD opens up new potential for professional photographers. High-resolution ProRes video can be recorded directly to a fast external drive, bypassing the iPhone’s built-in storage limits and enabling longer shoots without interruption.
Plus, an SSD offers a fast, reliable way to move large files between an iPhone, a Mac or a PC without relying on wireless transfers.
To be clear, while any drive can plug into an handset’s USB-C port, the best iPhone SSD models are designed to fit against the bottom edge of the device so they aren’t cumbersome additions.
The three recommended here offer these benefits to iPhone users, but each emphasizes different features.
Fast: Planck SSD
Photo: ShiftCam
The Planck SSD is a purpose-built external drive for iPhone users, especially video creators. The drive sits flush against the handset’s bottom edge, and is remarkably compact while still offering up to 2 TB of storage.
Performance is the standout feature, with sustained transfer speeds well above the thresholds needed to record high-bitrate Apple ProRes video directly to the drive. In real-world use, the Planck SSD consistently delivers fast transfer rates, making it suitable for recording extended ProRes footage and quickly offloading files to a computer for editing.
The Planck SSD’s combination of compact design, robust speed and iPhone-centric workflow makes it a compelling choice for creators who need more room than their internal storage allows and want a streamlined, portable solution.
- Read our hands-on review: Tiny, super-fast Planck SSD is perfect for recording iPhone video
Small in size, powerful in performance. Built for long, seamless recording.
The Planck SSD was developed to solve creative professionals' pain when managing large files on the go. The inspiration came from the need for a seamless, cable-free solution that simplifies the workflow for creators who require fast, portable storage.
- Fits tightly against iPhone
- Blazing Fast
- Extra cost for convenient size
Secure: Adam Elements iKlips S
Photo: Adam Elements
The Adam Elements iKlips S is a remarkably compact SSD with built-in biometric security, designed to make external storage both secure and convenient. The tiny USB-C drive uses a fingerprint reader similar to Apple’s Touch ID to unlock files instantly without passwords, a feature that streamlines workflows for professionals handling private documents or confidential work.
In testing, file transfers are quick and reliable, though at about half the data transfer speed of the Planck SSD.
Th SSD currently tops out at a modest 256 GB of storage, though a higher-capacity version is in development.
Quick and easy security is the standout feature. Keep prying eyes out of your private files with the Adam Elements iKlips S.
- Read our hands-on review: Tiny SSD keeps your data locked tight but instantly accessible
Built on four core values: Small, Speed, SSD and Secure. The miniature USB-C drive offers fingerprint security technology to significantly enhance data protection and privacy.
- Fingerprint lock means no password to remember
- Very, very portable
- Fast
- No encryption
- 256GB capacity is the only option
Affordable: Sandisk Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
SanDisk describes the Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive as the world’s smallest 1 TB USB-C flash drive, and it’s certainly small enough to not interfere with comfortably holding the iPhone. That said, the diminutive accessory doesn’t sit perfectly flush against the iPhone, so it’s not practical to carry around while inserted.
While the transfer speeds are quick enough for general file movement, they aren’t fast enough for recording high-bitrate ProRes video directly from an iPhone Pro.
What makes this one of the best iPhone SSD options is affordability. Those with small budgets can pick up a 128GB model for only $36.99.
- Read our hands-on review: This Sandisk SSD is tiny and affordable
The Sandisk Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive is the world’s smallest 1TB USB-C flash drive. Designed for professionals, students, and everyday users, this new drive is perfect for high-capacity storage without compromising mobility.
- “Plug-and-stay” storage
- Compatible with Mac desktop, MacBook, iPad and iPhone
- Not fast enough for ProRes video
Honorable mention: Samsung USB Type-C Flash Drive
Image: Samsung
The Samsung USB Type-C Flash Drive isn’t specifically designed for iPhone, but it is nevertheless quite petite. While it can’t snuggle up against the side of the handset, it’s only an inch wide.
Admittedly, it’s slow. Half the speed of the SanDisk SSD on this list.
Price put it in the “honorable mention” category. The 64GB variant is only $19.99.
- Read our hands-on review: Simplify your storage with this tiny Samsung USB-C flash drive
- Very small
- Comparable with iPhone, Mac and iPad
- Slow data transfer speeds
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
