Using an old iPod Touch as an external USB flash drive too?

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Level 1

114 points

Using an old iPod Touch as an external USB flash drive too?

Hi!

Is there a way to make an unwanted old/used (resetted and formatted) 16 GB iPod Touch (v3.1.3 (7E18) and model MA627LL from 2008) as an external USB flash drive (all file systems [FAT32, NTFS, MacFS, EXT#, etc. supported) beside the usual iTunes stuff? I know I did it before with regular iPods, like a 6th generation Nano, through iTunes' for disk option to have both. I even formatted to make more free disk space for storage and then let iTunes (Windows XP Pro. SP3 and Mac OS X 10.5.8) put back its data to it when done.

It seems iOS doesn't allow this disk storage option? I cannot even format its storage? Or is there a freeware third party software to do it?

Thank you in advance. 🙂

Posted on Dec 23, 2013 1:27 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Dec 23, 2013 1:31 PM in response to antdude

No. No iOS device (iPod touch, iPhone and iPad) has a disk mode.

You ccan try searching the App store for a compatible app.

This app

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/usb-disk/id370531520?mt=8

Requires iOS 5 or later.

To more easily find compatible apps:

iOSSearch - search the iTunes store for compatible apps.

Apple Club - filter apps by iOS version.

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Answer 2

Kneil31

Level 3

625 points

Dec 23, 2013 1:34 PM in response to antdude

You can use the app iFileExpress available free on the App Store. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ifileexpress-instantly-take/id543830394?ls=1&mt= 8 It does not allow direct writing such as using it in the default Windows Explorer. You can transfer files using iFunBox or iTunes via File Sharing on the App Page on the iPod's page on iTunes.http://www.ifileexpress.com/

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Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Dec 23, 2013 1:40 PM in response to Kneil31

iFileExpress requires:

Compatibility: Requires iOS 4.1 or later. Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPad, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), and iPod touch (5th generation). This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

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Answer 4

antdude Author

Level 1

114 points

Dec 23, 2013 1:41 PM in response to Kneil31

Kneil31 wrote:

You can use the app iFileExpress available free on the App Store. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ifileexpress-instantly-take/id543830394?ls=1&mt= 8 It does not allow direct writing such as using it in the default Windows Explorer. You can transfer files using iFunBox or iTunes via File Sharing on the App Page on the iPod's page on iTunes.http://www.ifileexpress.com/

That's a bummer. I was hoping I can use it on any computers and devices with USB ports like an USB drive. So to be able to copy/access data, non-computers and computers' Linux wouldn't be able to access the data due to lack of iTunes (want to avoid using it). 😟

I wonder if there are any third party OS to replace iOS on this five/5 years old iPod Touch that can still handle media and storage at the same time?

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Answer 5

Kneil31

Level 3

625 points

Dec 23, 2013 1:50 PM in response to antdude

Ubuntu does support viewing apps that have file sharing enabled without iTunes. When you connect it, make sure your iPod is unlocked in order for it to work. You can use something other than iTunes called iFunBox which allows exploring through all your apps and allows you to read/write parts of your iPod. http://www.i-funbox.com/

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Answer 6

antdude Author

Level 1

114 points

Dec 24, 2013 1:30 PM in response to Kneil31

Kneil31 wrote:

Ubuntu does support viewing apps that have file sharing enabled without iTunes. When you connect it, make sure your iPod is unlocked in order for it to work. You can use something other than iTunes called iFunBox which allows exploring through all your apps and allows you to read/write parts of your iPod. http://www.i-funbox.com/

Hmm, iFunBox was interesting. Too bad there is no Linux port of it since I use Linux as well beside Windows. Bummer that I have to download iFunBox to be able to access this very old iPod Touch. I like how the newer iPod Nano lets me use it as a disk storage without any programs (just have to tell iTunes to set it as a disk storage first).

Another problem with this very old iPod Touch, with its iOS v3.1.3, I can't find any free apps. that will work with it. Also, it asks me for a credit card that I don't have and want to enter. Ugh!

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Answer 7

antdude Author

Level 1

114 points

Dec 24, 2013 1:32 PM in response to lllaass

lllaass wrote:

iFileExpress requires:

Compatibility: Requires iOS 4.1 or later. Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPad, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), and iPod touch (5th generation). This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

Yep, v3.1.3 is what this very old iPod Touch has and the highest it can go. 😟

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