Not able to Transfer Videos from iPhone to WD Passport

Transferring videos from an iPhone to a WD My Passport external hard drive should be a straightforward process—but for many users, it isn’t. Whether you're trying to back up vacation videos, free up storage on your iPhone, or archive important footage, encountering errors or roadblocks can be frustrating.

If you're not able to transfer videos from your iPhone to a WD Passport, there are several possible causes and multiple ways to fix it. Let’s walk through the common issues and step-by-step solutions.

1. Understand the iPhone’s File System Limitations

iPhones don’t natively support direct transfers to external USB hard drives unless you're using iOS 13 or later and connecting through the Files app. Even then, the drive must meet specific requirements:

Formatted as exFAT or APFS

Powered externally if the iPhone cannot provide enough power (especially for WD Passport drives)

Connected via a Lightning to USB Camera Adapter or USB-C to USB-A adapter (depending on the iPhone model)

If you’re using a standard WD My Passport that draws power via USB, it may not work directly with your iPhone unless connected through a powered hub.

2. Use the Right Adapter or Hub

For older iPhones with a Lightning port:

Use Apple’s Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, which includes a Lightning power passthrough port.

Connect your WD Passport and also plug in your iPhone charger into the adapter.

For newer iPhones/iPads with USB-C:

Use a USB-C hub with power delivery and a USB-A port for the drive.

Without proper power, the drive will not spin up, and the iPhone won’t detect it.

3. Check WD Passport Format

The file format of the WD Passport matters:

exFAT is recommended because it supports both macOS, Windows, and iOS.

If your drive is formatted as NTFS (common for Windows), iPhones cannot write to it.

To check and reformat:

Connect the drive to a computer.

Reformat it as exFAT (note: this will erase all existing data).

On Windows: Right-click the drive in File Explorer > Format > Choose exFAT.

On Mac: Use Disk Utility > Erase > Format: exFAT.

Backup your data before formatting!

4. Use the Files App or Third-Party Apps

If the WD Passport is correctly connected and formatted:

Open the Files app on your iPhone.

Tap Browse, then find your external drive under Locations.

Open the Photos app, select videos, tap Share, then Save to Files.

Choose the external drive and target folder.

Alternatively, use apps like FileBrowser, Documents by Readdle, or WD My Cloud (if the drive is network-attached) for smoother file management.

5. Try a Computer as an Intermediary

If direct transfer fails, use a computer:

Connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac.

Import videos using Photos, Image Capture (macOS), or Windows Explorer.

Connect your WD Passport and manually copy the videos from the computer to the drive.

This method is more reliable and bypasses iOS limitations and power issues.

6. Troubleshooting Checklist

✅ Is your iPhone on iOS 13 or later?

✅ Is your WD Passport formatted as exFAT?

✅ Are you using a powered adapter or hub?

✅ Is the Files app detecting the drive?

✅ Have you tried using a computer as a bridge?

Final Thoughts

If you're not able to transfer videos from iPhone to WD Passport, chances are high that it's due to power supply issues, unsupported drive format, or iOS limitations. With the right tools—like a powered USB adapter and proper drive formatting—you can bypass these restrictions and move your videos smoothly.

When in doubt, transferring through a PC or Mac remains the most stable method. For frequent use, consider a wireless NAS or Lightning-compatible drive designed specifically for iPhones.