Using External Drives with iPhone and iOS 13: A Game Changer
One of the most significant updates to iOS 13 is Apple's ability to connect external drives to iPhones, allowing users to access and manage files on their mobile devices like never before. This feature is particularly exciting for creative professionals and individuals who rely heavily on file storage and management.
To test this new feature, we connected a USB-C adapter to our iPhone and plugged in various external devices such as a USB-C camera adapter, a Glyph SSD, a Victorinox thumb drive, an SD card from our Nikon D500, and even an externally powered desktop hard drive. The results were impressive – all of these devices showed up seamlessly in the Files app, allowing us to access and manage their contents with ease.
The iPhone's standard USB-A adapter also works with external drives, although its performance may be limited compared to the newer USB-C camera connection kit. We used this adapter to test our Victorinox thumb drive, which initially gave us an error message indicating that it was using too much power. However, when we switched to the USB-C camera connection kit, the drive worked flawlessly.
It's worth noting that not all external drives are compatible with iOS 13 and iPhones. The Glyph SSD, for example, did not work even with the faster USB-C camera connection kit. Nevertheless, this is an ongoing development area, and Apple will likely continue to improve compatibility in future updates.
One of the most impressive features of iOS 13's file management capabilities is its ability to connect multiple external devices at once. We connected four external drives – including a USB-C hub that allowed us to plug in up to three more devices simultaneously – without any issues or slowdowns. Each device showed up in the Files app, and we were able to access and manage their contents using the share sheet from third-party applications.
iOS 13 also introduces new sorting options within the Files app, which makes it easier to organize and find files on our mobile devices. Additionally, users can now have multiple instances of files open at the same time, making it possible to work with multiple documents simultaneously without having to close one to access another.
When we tested the file management features in iOS 13, we were impressed by how robust and intuitive they are. We could select multiple files using multi-touch gestures or by checking boxes next to them, and then quickly compress or decompress them without having to rely on third-party applications. This feature is especially useful for creative professionals who often need to work with large files.
In addition to the external drive capabilities, iOS 13 also introduces a new zip file compression feature that allows users to compress multiple files into a single zip archive. We were able to create a zip file using our SD card and then access it easily from within the Files app.
Overall, we're extremely impressed with how Apple has developed the file management features in iOS 13 and iPhones. The ability to connect external drives, manage multiple files at once, and compress files are just a few of the many innovative features that make this new operating system a game-changer for anyone who relies on their mobile device for work or play.
Third-Party Developments: What's Next?
While Apple has done an excellent job with iOS 13's file management capabilities, we're eager to see what third-party developers will do with these new features. We expect to see a wide range of innovative apps and tools that take advantage of the iPhone's new file management abilities.
One potential area of development is cloud storage services. With local storage now available on iPads and iPhones, users may begin to prefer storing files locally rather than relying on cloud services like iCloud or Google Drive. This could lead to a new wave of mobile-first apps that focus on file management and storage.
Another possibility is the emergence of specialized apps for creative professionals. With the ability to connect external drives and manage multiple files at once, these apps will likely become even more powerful and efficient, allowing users to work with larger files and projects than ever before.
Finally, we expect to see a surge in demand for mobile devices that support USB-C and other high-speed connectivity options. As file management capabilities continue to improve, users will increasingly rely on their mobile devices as their primary workspace – and they'll need devices that can keep up.
Conclusion
In conclusion, iOS 13's file management features are a major breakthrough for iPhone users. The ability to connect external drives, manage multiple files at once, and compress files is just the beginning of a new era in mobile device functionality. As third-party developers continue to innovate with these features, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the world of iOS.