Why Don’t iPhones Have This Feature?
A phone came into my shop recently with a black screen. The owner didn’t want to pay for a full repair. Like many others, he just wanted his data back.
The usual fix is straightforward: I take the phone apart, temporarily install a new screen, and use that to transfer the data. But here’s where it gets interesting, Samsung has a feature that makes this whole process much easier.
Samsung’s Secret Weapon
On a Samsung device, you can plug in a USB drive and back everything up directly with external storage transfer. No extra software, no hoops to jump through. Once the phone is working well enough to power on and respond, I can transfer all of the data straight onto a USB stick.
That means the customer doesn’t have to pay for a new screen or deal with extra repair costs if they’re only after their files. Everything they need ends up neatly stored on a USB, ready to go.
Why Apple Makes It Harder
Now let’s talk about iPhones. Apple still doesn’t offer a feature like this. Instead, you’re stuck using iTunes or Finder, which can be a total headache. Between system file errors, random connection issues, and troubleshooting cables, the process is nowhere near as smooth as it should be.
As a technician, this usually means I’ll partially repair the phone just enough to get it working for a backup. It gets the job done, but it’s way less convenient than Samsung’s plug-and-play USB option.
Why This Feature Matters
Having an option to back up directly to USB is a huge help. For technicians, it saves time and eliminates the need to fully repair a phone just for data recovery. For customers, it means they don’t have to spend money fixing a phone they’re planning to replace anyway.
Samsung’s approach is a game-changer because it streamlines the whole process. Once the data is secured, the phone can go back to the customer, even if the repair isn’t complete. With Apple, the backup process feels stuck in the past.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those features that makes me wish Apple would take notes from Samsung. A direct USB backup would save technicians and customers alike from unnecessary hassle and expense. Until then, iPhone users are stuck with iTunes, error messages, and workarounds.
Speaking of updates, my iPhone once tried to tell me a joke… but it needed an update first.
See you in the next article.
