How to Use an iPhone as a Flash Drive

The iPhone is a smartphone from Apple that also functions as a video camera, camera phone and portable media player. While the iPhone can be many things right out of the box, it is not a flash drive, and if you want to use yours as one to transfer files between your iPhone and computer, you'll have to download and use either the iPhoneBrowser or the iPhone Explorer, both of which are freeware applications for your PC, or the Discover iPhone application, which allows you to connect your iPhone to a computer wirelessly.

Using the iPhoneBrowser

Step 1

Download and install the iPhoneBrowser, which is a free, open-source application that creates an interface between your PC and iPhone.

Step 2

Plug your iPhone into your computer using the included USB connector cable.

Step 3

Run the iPhoneBrowser application. Your phone's folder hierarchy will appear in the left window. Click on a folder to display its contents in the top-right window.

Step 4

Drag and drop files from your computer into the top-right window to upload files into the selected folder.

Step 5

Right-click a file in the iPhoneBrowser and select "Save As" to download a copy of the file to your computer.

Using the iPhone Explorer

Step 1

Download and install the iPhone Explorer from Macroplant. iPhone Explorer requires iTunes to operate.

Step 2

Plug your iPhone into your computer.

Step 3

Run the iPhone Explorer application. You will see the folder hierarchy of your iPhone.

Step 4

Drag and drop files from your computer into any folder of your iPhone, or select a parent folder and click "New Folder" to create a new folder. Likewise, drag and drop a file from your iPhone onto your computer to create a copy of the file on your computer.

Using Discover

Step 1

Install the Discover application onto your iPhone through iTunes.

Step 2

Run Discover. A "Hint" will appear, giving you a URL to enter in any browser, such as Firefox or Internet Explorer. This URL, which is your iPhone's IP address, will open an interface between your computer and your iPhone.

Step 3

Drag and drop files from the Discover browser to your computer and vice versa.

Warnings

• Don't delete files from your iPhone unless you uploaded them yourself, as you don't accidentally want to delete critical system files.
• If you use Discover, open the application's "Settings" and create for yourself a username and password and register your email address so that others can't wirelessly access your iPhone.

About the Author

Brandon James has been writing short stories and novels since 2004. He's been published on Team Warfare League and the No Currency blog. In 2009, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Michigan.

Photo Credits

• Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images