Do you have a problem with your USB-C iPhone and it can't see or connect to your external USB-C SSD storage Drive? While there could be a number of reasons why this is happening. As long as your external drive is formatted to a disk format that iPhone understands. It could be that your external SSD requires more power than your iPhone can supply. In this video I show you how a Gen 4 NVMe SSD can't be seen by my iPhone because it requires too much power in combination with the USB-C and Thunderbolt NVMe enclosures that I am using. I also give some recommendations of what type of external USB-C SSD you can use with your iPhone. One way to get around this is to use a powered hub or dock but that's only really useful if you are indoors. If you are trying to use a traditional hard drive with your iPhone, as in, as spinning mechanical hard drive. Most of these wont work and will need to be connected to a powered hub or dock. Earlier iPhones before the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, such as the iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11, iPhone 10, iPhone Mini and iPhone SE etc. Which use a Lightning socket and not a USB socket will also have this exact same problem. For my demonstration I am using an iPhone 16 Pro Max. However all iPhones suffer from this problem. At most an iPhone will only supply a maximum of 4.5W to its USB-C port or Lightning port and this power is simply not enough for certain external hard drives or external USB-C SSD storage drives. Video chapters: 00:00 Intro and explanation 01:01 Hardware setup 06:36 Test 1 07:57 test 2 09:27 Test 3 11:03 Test 4 13:06 Test 5 14:13 Test 6 15:55 Test 7 17:37 Test 8 18:29 Test 9 20:16 End summary and recommendations Here's some video that you may find interesting: How To Build The Fastest External Thunderbolt 4 USB4 SSD For Your M1 M2 M3 Apple Silicon Mac MacBook th-cam.com/video/sV9EDKc5zpk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=9r5gdz6mlVJakr-v Best and Fastest External USB-C SSD Drive for Your iPhone 15 using Samsung SSD 980 Sabrent Enclosure th-cam.com/video/YHbkrF4W1cI/w-d-xo.html iPhone 15 Not Working With USB-C SSD th-cam.com/video/Uk-3yp9Zc3E/w-d-xo.html iPhone 15 Pro Max SSD Speed Test With a 1TB Samsung T7 External USB-C SSD Storage Drive th-cam.com/video/CkRUqqA_4V4/w-d-xo.html iPhone 15 Problems With External SSD th-cam.com/video/h9DiORV6DRc/w-d-xo.html Here's my iPhone 16 playlist th-cam.com/play/PLleKChtNUwZRmt2wIdprAJ5ry5XZSlTiW.html Here's my iPhone 15 playlist th-cam.com/play/PLleKChtNUwZQS2gQH2AaeSnEj9iM_6tDX.html Components used in the video. Don't forget, I would not advise using the Acasis enclosures for your iPhone, use the Sabrent enclosure and the Samsung SSD980. Keep an eye on my channel for my upcoming new ACASIS Thunderbolt SSD builds for MacBook Pro and Mac. I would also not recommend buying any of these enclosures for iPhones with the lightning socket on them. iPhone 16 Pro Max geni.us/rdAXg ACASIS TBU401E ACASIS website geni.us/Acasis-TBU401 ACASIS TBU401E Amazon geni.us/u9A5heL ACASIS TBU405Pro M1 ACASIS website bit.ly/4eF6Kh7 ACASIS TBU405Pro M1 Amazon geni.us/ACASIS-TBU405ProM1 ACASIS website for Thunderbolt and USB-C docks, hubs and enclosures bit.ly/45RAaUA Sabrent enclosure amzn.to/3XJ9brF WD SN850X 4TB geni.us/SN850X-4TB WD SN850X 2TB geni.us/SN850X-2TB WD SN850X 1TB geni.us/SN850X-1TB Crucial P3 4TB geni.us/OAdU Samsung T7 1TB geni.us/pqBzC9T AMAZON ASSOCIATE DISCLOSURE: I am an Amazon Associate. My Amazon links are Amazon affiliate links. I earn money from qualifying purchases when you use my Amazon affiliate links. OTHER EARNINGS AND COMMISSIONS: I also earn money from other product links within my video description. For the sake of clarity and for the avoidance of any confusion, assume that I earn money from commissions from any and all links that I have within my video description. You can also send me a coffee donation via PayPal if you found my video super helpful: www.paypal.me/DavidHarry My Amazon pages with videos and product links: Amazon USA www.amazon.com/shop/davidharry Amazon UK www.amazon.co.uk/shop/davidharry If you would like to help my channel please use my global Amazon Affiliate links. I will be paid a small commission for anything you buy from Amazon when using these links. These commissions don't cost you any extra but really do help me to buy gear for my productions and to review: Amazon USA: geni.us/Amazon-USA Amazon UK: geni.us/Amazon-UK Amazon Deutschland: geni.us/Amazon-Deutschland Amazon France: geni.us/Amazon-France Amazon España: geni.us/Amazon-Espana Amazon Italia: geni.us/Amazon-Italia Amazon Canada: geni.us/Amazon-Canada Contact for product reviews: TH-cam@DavidHarry.com www.DavidHarry.com I’m David Harry. Thank you very much for watching this video, take care and goodbye now. Cheers, Dave. #DavidHarry#LiverpoolTV
I got my iPhone 16 pro to work with the Sabrent enclosure you recommend and a Samsung 990 pro 2tb. formatted with exfat.. The iPhone recognized and recorded to it. Thanks for the videos. I was stumped by this issue for a while. keep it up!
Nice. So the iPhone 16 will record ProRez to a 2TB SSD? Apple's document says it only records to 256, 512, or 1TB. The "Apple Genius" at the local Apple store didn't know, nor did the AppleCare tech over the telephone.
Nice investigation Dave. That makes a lot of sense. Appreciate you reviewing all of this as Apple doesn't provide any information about this limitation.
Alright, Kevin. Yes, I've had murder with these things since the 15PM. I really enjoyed your last video about the new Xaoimi 👍 th-cam.com/video/eHcnTjg7Vrk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=5bOcR1oVyIQla0oY Cheers, Dave.
@@DavidHarry I always meant to use the high Res video more, but didn't do much beyond a few tests. Thanks Dave. I'm looking forward to playing around with the phone.
Hi. Check the description there's a video showing how to connect ab SSD to a Lightning port iPhone, which may help you to choose the correct SSD. Cheers, Dave.
Hi DEVO. Thanks for the great video from a fellow Scouse. I'm in the process of getting the Samsung SSD 1tb that you mentioned, as my WD Blue 1tb/SSK enclosure, refuses to play ball with my iPhone 16 PM. The specs on the one I've seen on Amazon, same product number etc says that the wattage is 5.3W. This is outside the 4.8W that you specified. Is it going to work?
Further to this. I got the Sabrent enclosure and used it with a 1tb WD Blue ssd. I formatted it in APFS and later ex-fat using my MBP. iPhone 16 PM native camera app wouldn't recognise it at all but BlackMagic did. However BM kept giving me the ! in the recording red dot. As a last ditch I reformatted the SSD using my iPhone into ex-fat and miracle of miracles it works on both camera apps.
Incredibly useful video, thanks, as wattage seems to be missing from every test, review, or manufacturer spec sheet that I can find. Sadly, the 980 looks to be discontinued now, so looks like a Crucial P3 4TB is the most solid bet for me based on your testing. I've heard Lexar NM710 drives work well too, but they're only available in 2tb or less. I'm wondering if the the P3 Plus would also work now i've just purchased an enclosure and in the market for one. Hope manufacturers/shops send you some SSD sticks to test.
Hi. You may want to avoid the P3 Plus as it’s a Gen 4 SSD and may need a little too much wattage. I’ve not tried one, so it may work, but you may be safer looking for something else. Cheers, Dave.
Are cables etc (or any external 'things' you can plug in a phone) compatible with iPhone 16 also compatible with iPhone 16 pro and vice versa. Keep seeing videos about iPhone 16, or so the title says, but turns out they are talking about iPhone 16 pro. So do external components work with both. All the cables I used with my older model phone are no longer compatible with my new phone. Have bought some adapters under the impression they would work, but they didn't.
Great video - Thanks! I have the Acasis TBU405 and purchased a Crucial P3 4TB to go with my iPhone 15 pro but for some reason my phone isn’t picking it up. I previously thought I wasn’t able to see my SSD because I was using a WD gen4. I can confirm the SSD is correctly formatted. Any ideas?
Hi, Mark. Sorry, I don’t know why yours isn’t working. Mine does and I’ve since tried a couple of other 1TB Gen 3 SSDs that have worked. Maybe try formatting to MBR not GUID and see if that makes a difference. Technically, MBR isn’t really designed for large capacities but it can work. It may also be worth trying ExFAT as well. What are you using to format with. Cheers, Dave.
@ Thanks DH. I used the utility disk on my M3 pro max to format to APFS and also tried reformatting for a second time. Is there a specific tool you use / would recommend?
@@markorral Hi, Mark. All I use is the standard Disk Utility in macOS. I'm not sure if a standalone disk app would make any difference. The only problems I've had in the past was when I'd used an SSD that had been used under Windows. Sometimes those formatted SSDs were problematic with macOS and iOS/iPadOS. One of my solutions for those disks was to either reformat using Mini Tool Partition Wizard under Windows, or reformat under Linux using GNOME. It's been a while since I done that but from what I can remember, I think it was because the standard Windows formatting tool was adding an extra partition that macOS couldn't get past and it would still be there even after a full format using Disk Utility. Although, I did have issues with SSDs that had been formatted using MBR or GUID, I can't remember which way round it was. In any event, sorry, I cant think of anything else. However, and unfortunately, it may still be the case that your formatting is fine but the power requirement is a bit too much for iPhone, even though my exact same enclosure/SSD combination is fine on my 16PM. Cheers, Dave.
I asked apple AI, it said, iphone 16 could connect with Nvme 2230, other size may disconnect. Is this aligned with your test? I am wondering if 2230 gen 4 can be used without magsave? Would you be able to test?
You have talked a lot and demonstrated the existence of the problem of insufficient power supply of SSD drives with the PSI Express 4 interface. But for some reason you forgot to tell about SSD boxes that have a port for additional power (pass-through). For example: Dockcase Explorer Edition: Smart M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure Pro-Matte Black. I suggest reviewing the existing problems a little wider... And offering effective solutions.
Thanks for the video I just ran into this problem as I have the same setup as you WD ssd and same enclosure so all be getting something different for my iPhone 16pro probably the Samsung T9 4TB
I’m use 15 Pro Max with UGREEN M.2 NVMe SATA SSD Enclosure Adapter. M.2 NVMe SATA SSD adapter 10 Gb USB 3,2 Gen2, it working! I use SSD M.2 4.0 from HP: 2 terabytes M.2 NVMe HP FX700. I formatted the disk with PC in ExFAT and it began to be determined! It works very well and fast! If you are the owner of 15 Pro Max, there are no problems using PCI Express 4.0
You are wrong. This video clearly shows issues with Gen 4 and many other people have reported these issues. To anyone else reading this comment, just use a Gen 3 with your iPhone 15 or iPhone 16.
@ Yes, I agree that there is a problem and it is shown in the video, I just shared my experience of use. Maybe I was just lucky. For the best convenience and 100% result, it is better to use Gen 3. Perhaps it will be refined in future versions of the iPhone.
If you really want to make most external USB-c NVMe SSD works. One need to good HUB which can transfer 10gb per second and PD. Plus a power bank. I got it working for my phone 15 pro. As this will not be easy to carry around when recording.
There are boxes that have not only a port for additional power, but also an indicator that shows when this power needs to be connected + ..... For example: Dockcase M.2 NVMe Smart SSD Enclosure Pro Glossy
Do you have a problem with your USB-C iPhone and it can't see or connect to your external USB-C SSD storage Drive? While there could be a number of reasons why this is happening. As long as your external drive is formatted to a disk format that iPhone understands. It could be that your external SSD requires more power than your iPhone can supply.
In this video I show you how a Gen 4 NVMe SSD can't be seen by my iPhone because it requires too much power in combination with the USB-C and Thunderbolt NVMe enclosures that I am using.
I also give some recommendations of what type of external USB-C SSD you can use with your iPhone.
One way to get around this is to use a powered hub or dock but that's only really useful if you are indoors.
If you are trying to use a traditional hard drive with your iPhone, as in, as spinning mechanical hard drive. Most of these wont work and will need to be connected to a powered hub or dock.
Earlier iPhones before the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, such as the iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11, iPhone 10, iPhone Mini and iPhone SE etc. Which use a Lightning socket and not a USB socket will also have this exact same problem.
For my demonstration I am using an iPhone 16 Pro Max. However all iPhones suffer from this problem. At most an iPhone will only supply a maximum of 4.5W to its USB-C port or Lightning port and this power is simply not enough for certain external hard drives or external USB-C SSD storage drives.
Video chapters:
00:00 Intro and explanation
01:01 Hardware setup
06:36 Test 1
07:57 test 2
09:27 Test 3
11:03 Test 4
13:06 Test 5
14:13 Test 6
15:55 Test 7
17:37 Test 8
18:29 Test 9
20:16 End summary and recommendations
Here's some video that you may find interesting:
How To Build The Fastest External Thunderbolt 4 USB4 SSD For Your M1 M2 M3 Apple Silicon Mac MacBook th-cam.com/video/sV9EDKc5zpk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=9r5gdz6mlVJakr-v
Best and Fastest External USB-C SSD Drive for Your iPhone 15 using Samsung SSD 980 Sabrent Enclosure th-cam.com/video/YHbkrF4W1cI/w-d-xo.html
iPhone 15 Not Working With USB-C SSD th-cam.com/video/Uk-3yp9Zc3E/w-d-xo.html
iPhone 15 Pro Max SSD Speed Test With a 1TB Samsung T7 External USB-C SSD Storage Drive th-cam.com/video/CkRUqqA_4V4/w-d-xo.html
iPhone 15 Problems With External SSD th-cam.com/video/h9DiORV6DRc/w-d-xo.html
Here's my iPhone 16 playlist th-cam.com/play/PLleKChtNUwZRmt2wIdprAJ5ry5XZSlTiW.html
Here's my iPhone 15 playlist th-cam.com/play/PLleKChtNUwZQS2gQH2AaeSnEj9iM_6tDX.html
Components used in the video. Don't forget, I would not advise using the Acasis enclosures for your iPhone, use the Sabrent enclosure and the Samsung SSD980. Keep an eye on my channel for my upcoming new ACASIS Thunderbolt SSD builds for MacBook Pro and Mac. I would also not recommend buying any of these enclosures for iPhones with the lightning socket on them.
iPhone 16 Pro Max geni.us/rdAXg
ACASIS TBU401E ACASIS website geni.us/Acasis-TBU401
ACASIS TBU401E Amazon geni.us/u9A5heL
ACASIS TBU405Pro M1 ACASIS website bit.ly/4eF6Kh7
ACASIS TBU405Pro M1 Amazon geni.us/ACASIS-TBU405ProM1
ACASIS website for Thunderbolt and USB-C docks, hubs and enclosures bit.ly/45RAaUA
Sabrent enclosure amzn.to/3XJ9brF
WD SN850X 4TB geni.us/SN850X-4TB
WD SN850X 2TB geni.us/SN850X-2TB
WD SN850X 1TB geni.us/SN850X-1TB
Crucial P3 4TB geni.us/OAdU
Samsung T7 1TB geni.us/pqBzC9T
AMAZON ASSOCIATE DISCLOSURE:
I am an Amazon Associate.
My Amazon links are Amazon affiliate links.
I earn money from qualifying purchases when you use my Amazon affiliate links.
OTHER EARNINGS AND COMMISSIONS:
I also earn money from other product links within my video description.
For the sake of clarity and for the avoidance of any confusion, assume that I earn money from commissions from any and all links that I have within my video description.
You can also send me a coffee donation via PayPal if you found my video super helpful:
www.paypal.me/DavidHarry
My Amazon pages with videos and product links:
Amazon USA www.amazon.com/shop/davidharry
Amazon UK www.amazon.co.uk/shop/davidharry
If you would like to help my channel please use my global Amazon Affiliate links. I will be paid a small commission for anything you buy from Amazon when using these links. These commissions don't cost you any extra but really do help me to buy gear for my productions and to review:
Amazon USA: geni.us/Amazon-USA
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Contact for product reviews: TH-cam@DavidHarry.com
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I’m David Harry. Thank you very much for watching this video, take care and goodbye now.
Cheers,
Dave.
#DavidHarry#LiverpoolTV
I got my iPhone 16 pro to work with the Sabrent enclosure you recommend and a Samsung 990 pro 2tb. formatted with exfat.. The iPhone recognized and recorded to it. Thanks for the videos. I was stumped by this issue for a while. keep it up!
Hi. You are very welcome, thanks 👍 Cheers, Dave.
Nice. So the iPhone 16 will record ProRez to a 2TB SSD? Apple's document says it only records to 256, 512, or 1TB. The "Apple Genius" at the local Apple store didn't know, nor did the AppleCare tech over the telephone.
Do you use additional power to use it? Or it’s just the enclosure?
Hi, is this still working as expected and without additional power?
Nice investigation Dave. That makes a lot of sense.
Appreciate you reviewing all of this as Apple doesn't provide any information about this limitation.
Alright, Kevin. Yes, I've had murder with these things since the 15PM. I really enjoyed your last video about the new Xaoimi 👍 th-cam.com/video/eHcnTjg7Vrk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=5bOcR1oVyIQla0oY Cheers, Dave.
@@DavidHarry I always meant to use the high Res video more, but didn't do much beyond a few tests.
Thanks Dave. I'm looking forward to playing around with the phone.
Very useful information! Subscribed 👍
Hi. I'm glad the video useful and thanks for the sub 👍 Cheers, Dave.
Am using iphone 13 which has lighting port so do uh have any idea or suggestions what or which ssd enclosure should be work with my phone ?
Hi. Check the description there's a video showing how to connect ab SSD to a Lightning port iPhone, which may help you to choose the correct SSD. Cheers, Dave.
Hi DEVO. Thanks for the great video from a fellow Scouse. I'm in the process of getting the Samsung SSD 1tb that you mentioned, as my WD Blue 1tb/SSK enclosure, refuses to play ball with my iPhone 16 PM. The specs on the one I've seen on Amazon, same product number etc says that the wattage is 5.3W. This is outside the 4.8W that you specified. Is it going to work?
Further to this. I got the Sabrent enclosure and used it with a 1tb WD Blue ssd. I formatted it in APFS and later ex-fat using my MBP. iPhone 16 PM native camera app wouldn't recognise it at all but BlackMagic did. However BM kept giving me the ! in the recording red dot. As a last ditch I reformatted the SSD using my iPhone into ex-fat and miracle of miracles it works on both camera apps.
Incredibly useful video, thanks, as wattage seems to be missing from every test, review, or manufacturer spec sheet that I can find. Sadly, the 980 looks to be discontinued now, so looks like a Crucial P3 4TB is the most solid bet for me based on your testing. I've heard Lexar NM710 drives work well too, but they're only available in 2tb or less. I'm wondering if the the P3 Plus would also work now i've just purchased an enclosure and in the market for one. Hope manufacturers/shops send you some SSD sticks to test.
Hi. You may want to avoid the P3 Plus as it’s a Gen 4 SSD and may need a little too much wattage. I’ve not tried one, so it may work, but you may be safer looking for something else. Cheers, Dave.
Are cables etc (or any external 'things' you can plug in a phone) compatible with iPhone 16 also compatible with iPhone 16 pro and vice versa. Keep seeing videos about iPhone 16, or so the title says, but turns out they are talking about iPhone 16 pro. So do external components work with both. All the cables I used with my older model phone are no longer compatible with my new phone. Have bought some adapters under the impression they would work, but they didn't.
Great video - Thanks!
I have the Acasis TBU405 and purchased a Crucial P3 4TB to go with my iPhone 15 pro but for some reason my phone isn’t picking it up.
I previously thought I wasn’t able to see my SSD because I was using a WD gen4.
I can confirm the SSD is correctly formatted.
Any ideas?
Hi, Mark. Sorry, I don’t know why yours isn’t working. Mine does and I’ve since tried a couple of other 1TB Gen 3 SSDs that have worked. Maybe try formatting to MBR not GUID and see if that makes a difference. Technically, MBR isn’t really designed for large capacities but it can work. It may also be worth trying ExFAT as well. What are you using to format with. Cheers, Dave.
@ Thanks DH. I used the utility disk on my M3 pro max to format to APFS and also tried reformatting for a second time. Is there a specific tool you use / would recommend?
@@markorral Hi, Mark. All I use is the standard Disk Utility in macOS. I'm not sure if a standalone disk app would make any difference. The only problems I've had in the past was when I'd used an SSD that had been used under Windows. Sometimes those formatted SSDs were problematic with macOS and iOS/iPadOS. One of my solutions for those disks was to either reformat using Mini Tool Partition Wizard under Windows, or reformat under Linux using GNOME. It's been a while since I done that but from what I can remember, I think it was because the standard Windows formatting tool was adding an extra partition that macOS couldn't get past and it would still be there even after a full format using Disk Utility. Although, I did have issues with SSDs that had been formatted using MBR or GUID, I can't remember which way round it was. In any event, sorry, I cant think of anything else. However, and unfortunately, it may still be the case that your formatting is fine but the power requirement is a bit too much for iPhone, even though my exact same enclosure/SSD combination is fine on my 16PM. Cheers, Dave.
@@markorral Actually, Mark. Just one last suggestion. If you have any other C to C cables it may be worth trying them, just in case. Cheers, Dave.
@ Legend - thank you! Yes because I am using the T4 cable which came with my Acasis so perhaps that’s the issue. Will report back
I asked apple AI, it said, iphone 16 could connect with Nvme 2230, other size may disconnect. Is this aligned with your test?
I am wondering if 2230 gen 4 can be used without magsave? Would you be able to test?
If you are asking AI for answers, then why ask a human?
@@DavidHarryI didn’t mean to offend you. If you took it as offensive I can’t do anything with it.
@@thamtham4924 You didn’t offend me. I was just wondering why you’d ask a human if you’re already taking advice from an AI.
You have talked a lot and demonstrated the existence of the problem of insufficient power supply of SSD drives with the PSI Express 4 interface. But for some reason you forgot to tell about SSD boxes that have a port for additional power (pass-through). For example: Dockcase Explorer Edition: Smart M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure Pro-Matte Black. I suggest reviewing the existing problems a little wider... And offering effective solutions.
Great vid & awesome info - Gen 3 is the way to go - Cheaper too 😂
Hi. Thank you 👍 Yes, best just staying clear of Gen 4 and not risking it. Cheers, Dave.
when you saying gen. 4, you mean NVMe M2. SSD disc with PCIe 4.0, right?
Yes.
Thanks for the video I just ran into this problem as I have the same setup as you WD ssd and same enclosure so all be getting something different for my iPhone 16pro probably the Samsung T9 4TB
I’m use 15 Pro Max with UGREEN M.2 NVMe SATA SSD Enclosure Adapter. M.2 NVMe SATA SSD adapter 10 Gb USB 3,2 Gen2, it working! I use SSD M.2 4.0 from HP: 2 terabytes M.2 NVMe HP FX700. I formatted the disk with PC in ExFAT and it began to be determined! It works very well and fast! If you are the owner of 15 Pro Max, there are no problems using PCI Express 4.0
You are wrong. This video clearly shows issues with Gen 4 and many other people have reported these issues. To anyone else reading this comment, just use a Gen 3 with your iPhone 15 or iPhone 16.
@ Yes, I agree that there is a problem and it is shown in the video, I just shared my experience of use. Maybe I was just lucky. For the best convenience and 100% result, it is better to use Gen 3. Perhaps it will be refined in future versions of the iPhone.
If you really want to make most external USB-c NVMe SSD works. One need to good HUB which can transfer 10gb per second and PD. Plus a power bank. I got it working for my phone 15 pro. As this will not be easy to carry around when recording.
There are boxes that have not only a port for additional power, but also an indicator that shows when this power needs to be connected + ..... For example: Dockcase M.2 NVMe Smart SSD
Enclosure Pro Glossy
It’s insane the iPhone 15 Pro Max can’t power an external hard drive. This can’t be an accident
It's only certain SSDs that it cant power.