Full Guide: 3 Ways to Use SanDisk Backup iPhone

Wondering whether it is possible to backup iPhone to SanDisk USB? In this guide, you’ll be given 3 effective methods to achieve SanDisk iPhone backup in detail.

By @Demi Last Updated September 4, 2024

SanDisk is a popular brand of flash memory products. When you need a USB flash drive or an external hard drive, you might consider purchasing a SanDisk hard drive. When you receive a portable SanDisk device, you may want to backup iPhone to external hard drive like SanDisk.

In this guide, we will explore three effective ways to back up your iPhone data to a SanDisk drive, ensuring your valuable information is safe and accessible.

Way 1. Backup iPhone to SanDisk with iXpand Drive App (Photos Only)

The iXpand Drive app is a user-friendly solution provided by SanDisk for iPhone users. The app, coupled with the SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive, offers a seamless way to backup your iPhone’s photos directly to the drive. Here are step-by-step guide to using iXpand Drive app to create SanDisk iPhone backup.

Step 1. Download and install iXpand Drive from your iPhone App Store > Plug the SanDisk flash drive into your iPhone’s lightning port. If it is not compatible, you may need to connect them using an external USB adapter.

Step 2. Launch iXpand Drive app, and let it detect the drive automatically > On the home screen, tap Back Up and Restore option. You can also enable auto backup optionally.

Step 3. Tap Back Up & Restore Photo Library > Tap Back Up. Wait for the process to complete. If it is the first time to use this function, the backup process will take a long time relatively.

If the official backup app fails to meet your needs, you can keep reading to get more effective methods.

Way 2. Easiest Way to Backup iPhone to SanDisk via AOMEI FoneBackup

AOMEI FoneBackup is a powerful third-party application that offers a comprehensive solution for iPhone backups, including backups to SanDisk drives. With AOMEI FoneBackup, you can freely choose to backup your iPhone files to SanDisk fully or selectively.

AOMEI FoneBackup - Your Ultimate iOS Data Backup Tool

? Fast & Simple Process: You can quickly backup and restore your iPhone to an SanDisk with a single click in a short amount of time.

? Full & Selective Backup: AOMEI FoneBackup allows you to create both a full iPhone backup and a copy of only important iPhone files to your SanDisk.

? Encryption and Security: You can protect your backups with a password to add an extra layer of security to your sensitive data.

? Wide Compatibility: AOMEI FoneBackup supports a wide range of external drives, including various models of SanDisk drives, and iOS devices.

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Click the icon to download AOMEI FoneBackup to your computer, and let’s see how to fully or selectively backup iPhone to SanDisk extreme portable SSD.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone and SanDisk to computer with USB > Launch AOMEI FoneBackup and click Phone Backup from its main interface > Go to Selective Backup and click Get Started. (You can also choose Full Backup to backup everything from iPhone to SanDisk.)

Step 2. Click each icon, and you can browse all your iPhone files > Select the files you’d like to backup > Click OK to confirm.

Step 3. Choose your SanDisk as the backup destination from Backup Storage Path > Click Start Backup to begin the task.

You can locate the iPhone backup files created by AOMEI FoneBackup on My Backups page. To restore the backup file, you can follow the steps below.

Keep both your iPhone and SanDisk connected to your computer > Locate the backup files from My Backups page > Click the restore icon > Click Restore.

🔥 Bonus Function - Phone Transfer AOMEI FoneBackup is also a professional iOS data transfer tool, enabling you to transfer files from iPhone to iPhone, iPhone to PC (external hard drive), and vice versa,

If you’d like to view iPhone files saved in SanDisk, the Transfer function may be more suitable for you.

Way 3. Backup iPhone to SanDisk Using iTunes

iTunes, the longstanding media player and device management application from Apple, also offers a method to backup your iPhone to a SanDisk drive. Although not as seamless as the previous methods, it’s a reliable option for those who prefer using Apple’s ecosystem.

The first thing you need to do is to change the iTunes backup location to external hard drive. The process is kind of complicated, follow each steps below to make it.

Step 1. Plug the SanDisk into the computer > Open Windows File Explorer and go to the default location of iTunes backup: C:\Users\[PC name]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\ MobileSync.

Step 2. Delete the files in the folder Backup > Create an empty folder named MobileSync in your SanDisk.

Step 3. Press Win and R keys and input cmd in the box to open Windows Command Processor.

Step 4. From the popup window, enter mklink /J “C:\Users\[PC name]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup”“E:\MobileSync” > You may need to replace E with the letter of the external hard drive > Press Enter to confirm.

Now, you can backup iPhone to SanDisk via iTunes like you used to do with it.

Connect iPhone to computer > Launch iTunes and click the phone icon > Click Summary > Back Up Now.

Now, the iTunes backup files are saved in your SanDisk hard drive and doesn’t take up the space of C Drive.

Conclusion

That’s all for how to create a SanDisk iPhone backup in three methods. Whether you choose to use the SanDisk iXpand Drive app, AOMEI FoneBackup, or iTunes, each method offers unique advantages depending on your needs and technical comfort level.

By following this guide, you can confidently back up your iPhone data to a SanDisk drive, ensuring your important information is always secure and accessible.