Can You Expand iPhone Memory?

You're not likely to run out of memory if you've got a top-of-the-line iPhone that offers up to 512GB of storage, but not everyone has one. Since every iPhone is crammed full of music, photos, videos, and apps, owners of models with 16GB, 32GB, or even 64GB of storage may eventually run out of memory.

Many Android devices offer expandable memory so their owners can increase their phones' storage capacity. But those are Android devices; what about iPhones? Can you upgrade the memory on your iPhone?

The Difference Between RAM and Storage

In order to answer whether you can expand your iPhone memory, it's important to understand the kind of memory you're talking about. There are two kinds of memory used by mobile devices: storage for your data (Flash storage) and memory chips (RAM) that the device uses while running the operating system and apps.

This article discusses expanding your iPhone's storage. There aren't any options for upgrading its RAM. Doing that would require having memory that fits the iPhone, opening the iPhone, and removing and replacing the phone's electronics. Even if you have the hardware and skills, that would void the iPhone's warranty and expose it to damage. Obviously, this is risky at best and destructive at worst. Don't do it.

You Can't Upgrade iPhone Memory

The question about upgrading iPhone storage is unfortunately easy to answer: It's not possible to upgrade iPhone memory capacity.

For other smartphones, increasing storage capacity usually means the phone supports removable storage like an SD card. With an SD card, you can have some storage built into the phone and then add to it with the removable card. The iPhone doesn't support this (the iPhone restricts almost user upgrades to hardware; this may also be why its battery isn't user replaceable).

The other way to add more memory inside the iPhone would be to have a skilled technician install it. We're not aware of any company that provides that service. In fact, not even Apple offers that. 

So, if you can't upgrade the memory inside the iPhone, what can you do?

Cases That Expand iPhone Memory

One simple option for upgrading iPhone memory on some models is to get a case that includes additional storage. 

Mophie, which sells a line of very good extended-life battery packs, offers the Space Pack. This is an iPhone case that both expands battery life and storage space. It offers up to 100% more battery life, according to Mophie, as well as an additional 32GB or 64GB of storage. The biggest limitation of this accessory is that Mophie seems not to make it anymore, and that it was only made for the iPhone 5/5S/SE and iPhone 6/6 Plus/6S/6S Plus.

Another option for the iPhone 6 and 6S series is the SanDisk iXpand case. You can get 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB of storage with this case, and choose from four colors, but there's no extra battery. SanDisk no longer lists the case on its website, but you may be able to find it from third-party sellers.

While using a case with extra memory isn't as elegant as expanding the memory inside your iPhone, it's the next best thing.

Thumb Drives That Upgrade iPhone Memory

If you don't want a case, you could opt for a small, lightweight thumb drive that can be plugged into the Lightning port on the iPhone 5 and newer.

One such device, the iXpand by SanDisk, offers up to 256GB of additional storage. As an added bonus, it also supports USB so you can plug it into a computer to swap files. A similar option, the LEEF iBridge, offers the same storage capacities and USB port. There are many other options from many other manufacturers, too.

Since these are protruding attachments, they aren't the most elegant devices, but they do offer flexibility and a lot of storage.

Wireless External Hard Drives For Your iPhone

The third option for adding storage to your iPhone is a Wi-Fi-connected hard drive. Not all external hard drives with Wi-Fi features can be used with your iPhone—look for one that specifically touts iPhone support. When you find one, you can add hundreds of gigabytes, or even terabytes, of storage to your phone. Before you buy, there are two things to consider:

1. Portability: Even a small portable hard drive is bigger than a case. You won't bring your hard drive everywhere, so whatever's on it won't always be available.
2. Integration with iPhone apps: The data stored on external hard drives is treated as separate from your iPhone's internal memory. As a result, photos stored on your hard drive are accessed through the hard drive's app, not the Photos app.

On the plus side, an external hard drive is more versatile because it can also be used with a Mac or PC, so you can get double duty out of this kind of hard drive.