iphone 15 pro max does not recognize my external SSD.

I’m having the same issue with Sandisk extreme Pro 2tb.

I am having the same issue... kind of. It worked the first time, and I even shot some video. I connected that drive to my MacStudio, and accessed it fine. Next time I plugged it into the iPhone, it didn't show up. I shut down and restarted the phone and it worked again. BUT, once I unplugged it and then re-plugged it in, it didn't work again.

Only shutting down the whole phone and re-starting seems to work. I tried logging out and back in, which didn't help. I tried closing the camera app completely, and that also didn't help. Only restarting the entire phone is making it work again.

I've encountered the same issue with my iPhone 15 Pro Max. I've tested it with five different SSDs using an RTL9210B case. After spending 4 hours testing various USB 3.2, USB4, and Thunderbolt cables, I've come to the conclusion that the 4.5W output on the iPhone's USB-C port is insufficient for the 2TB SSD.

In contrast, when I tried the same 2TB SSDs with the RTL9210B case on my iPad Pro M1 and iMac 27, they worked flawlessly.

I had the exact same issue. But I solved it. If you have password protected your external SSD (I have a Samsung T9 2TB, and a SanDisk Extreme Pro 500GB), you will just need to enter the password when you connect the SSD to your iPhone. This can be done by just opening the "Files" app on your iPhone, then click on the name of your external SSD attached, then following the prompt and entering your password. Once that is done you will be able to access your external SSD normally. In my case, I use the external SSD for direct export of my ProRes Log video files. Working flawlessly now. I will send an Apple Developers a message alerting them to this oversight, and hope that they address this issue in a subsequent iOS 17.2 beta update, or maybe 17.3. On my MacBook Air, there is no issue because I am prompted to enter my password when attaching the external SSD, or, in the current case, I have allowed Keychain Access to the external SSD so that the SSD is already authorized when I am logged into my Mac (via fingerprint ID, or manual password to my Mac). As for appropriate cables, make sure you are using the appropriate speed rating for the cables (not just for power), or your date will not transfer at the proper speed and frame dropping will result, or worse. Make sure your external SSD is also compatible (in speed), with the iPhone 15 (Pro or Pro Max). Hope this helps everyone.

I watched a YouTube video where the guy was showing proof that it’s nvme gen 4 that doesn’t work. If you get a gen 3 then it works fine. But you commit combine it with a thunderbolt 4 cable. Needs to thunderbolt 3 or usb c 3.1 gen 2 or whatever they can the latest usb-c generation just before usb 4.

https://youtu.be/Uk-3yp9Zc3E

https://youtu.be/h9DiORV6DRc

https://youtu.be/YHbkrF4W1cI

the guy tried loads of combinations and that was his conclusion.

Did this work for you in the past, but now it doesn't work anymore? I have noticed that since iOS 17.2.1, my Samsung T7 no longer appears under files on my iPhone, but it still functions as expected on my iPad. iPad OS is based on 17.2. I wonder if that point release for iPhones is causing an issue. My drive is also formatted as APFS since I only used it on Apple devices.

Hello yoosuf86,

If your external drive is not recognized by your iPhone 15, first ensure you are following these steps from Charge and connect with the USB-C connector on your iPhone 15 (that you've already looked over)

Connect your iPhone to your iPad, Mac, and other computers

You can connect your iPhone to your iPad, Mac, and other computers to transfer data, like your photos and videos, using a USB-C cable compliant with the USB-C standard, such as the cable that comes with your iPhone. These cables are widely available from Apple and other manufacturers. Just connect one end of the included USB-C charge cable to the USB-C connector on your iPhone and the other to the USB-C port on your computer.

Your iPhone will charge while connected to these devices. iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max support fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds up to 10Gbit per second when using an optional USB 3 cable.*

*The USB-C cable that comes with your iPhone supports charging and USB 2 speeds. If you want to use a USB 3 device, use a compliant USB 3 cable that supports 10Gbit/s.

If this continues after looking over that, reach out to the manufacturer of this external drive. They'd be the best equipped to look into the compatibility of this device further.

Cheers!

Waay to much emphasis on cables. Its not a cable issue. Its an SSD / mve2 issue. Apple needs to make this more leveled across the platform.

I also bought MSI M480 NVME M.2 1TB SSD with UGREEN external SSD box. At first it connected without any problems. I shot videos. I haven't used it for a while. I've been trying for 2 days and it never works. It instantly sees SD cards and USB memory sticks. (iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB)

I connected a Samsung T7 via USB-C (provided cable) apple formated to iPhone 15 Pro. Recorded like a 3-5 min video as a test, and got lot of spinning at the end around the record button and then the message below. I checked the speed of my drive which is USB-C 3.0 Gen1 - it read and writes around 650MB which is more than sufficient. Weird is that it will record via Apple Camera app and when I connected to the computer it showed up, it didn't like playing it in preview or through the USB-C port on front of my Mac Studio *Caveat* USB-C on Max version is only USB-C 3.0 NOT! I Repeat Not Gen1 or Gen2 just regular old 3.0! whole other conversation about that malarky :( - so side bar for Apple... you need a drive fast enough to record video at a required 250MB and the drive must have a cable capable of 10Gbps - check all that, but I can't plug it into the front of my M1 Max Mac Studio what!!!!? So I have to connect it to the back of the machine via a Thunderbolt port to make it play...

Anyhow after a lot of frustration and swearing I tried the drive with Blackmagic app on iPhone and it works a treat. I need to test a long record, but I didn't get any error messages with Blackmagic app, or Dropped frames.

Apple needs to seriously sort out its communication issues with 3rd party drives. And be aware that most if not all of Apple USB ports are 3.0, with the exception of it being a Thunderbolt port. If it doesn't have underlying tech of Thunderbolt in it... its a 3.0... apparently they are set to announce the magic of USB Gen1 this year, as if they invented it.

my iPhone 15pmax doesn’t accept write process in ssd. Solution

Hi yoosuf86,

I have purchase a lot of cable, waiting the delivery.

I also made an appointment at the Genius bar.

I have tested one cable 240w 8k thunderbolt 4 USB 4 : when I launch the recording, stop it, the iPhone does not responding and it freeze and the iPhone reboot.

also, in the application « files », the SSD take a long time to appear (about one minute).

the .mov created on the SSD is impossible to open one the iPhone and on a PC/Mac.

the SSD has been formatted in EXT4.

Mobile : iPhone 15 pro max

SSD : SanDisk extreme pro 4to gen2

keep you advise in the week ☺️

have a nice Sunday.

I am having the same issue. I have 5 ssd drives. The first time for each one was ok; the phone will recognize them. The second time, nope and even if I shut down the phone and then turn it on, it won’t recognize them. That sucks!