How to Record Video to an SSD on iPhone or Android (2025 EPIC Guide)

June 13, 2025

Want to record flawless ProRes or RAW video directly to an SSD from your iPhone or Android — with zero dropped frames or record errors? This is your ultimate guide.

In this in-depth tutorial, we’ll break down:

Why you should record video to an external SSD
The best SSDs for iPhone and Android video capture
Required SSD speeds, power draw, and formatting
Which apps support SSD recording on mobile (Blackmagic Camera and MotionCam Pro)
How to mount your SSD securely to your smartphone
And how to configure your phone to record directly to the SSD

Let’s get started.

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Why Record Video to an SSD?

Recording to an SSD brings four major benefits:

1. Lower Cost per Gigabyte

Upgrading your smartphone’s internal storage is expensive.
For example:

Apple charges $400 USD to go from 256GB to 1TB on an iPhone
That’s $0.52 per GB
A 1TB Lexar external SSD? Under $100 USD or less than $0.10 per GB!

2. Longer Record Times

Shooting ProRes (iPhone) or RAW DNG (Android via MotionCam Pro) eats up storage fast. An SSD lets you keep rolling without hitting storage limits.

3. Unlock Higher Frame Rates

On the iPhone, unless you have a compatible SSD external drive attached, you will be locked out of recording at the highest frame rates supported by your device:

iPhone 15 Pro: 4K 60fps ProRes requires an SSD
iPhone 16 Pro: 4K 120fps ProRes also requires an SSD

4. Faster Workflow

Skip slow imports. Just unplug your SSD and start editing on a Mac, PC, or iPad instantly.

How Fast Does Your SSD Need to Be?

It depends on your recording format:

Format	Resolution	FPS	Required Write Speed
ProRes (iPhone)	4K	60fps	220MB/s
ProRes (iPhone)	4K	120fps	440MB/s
HEVC (iPhone/Android)	4K	30–60fps	~50–150MB/s
RAW DNG (MotionCam Pro)	4K	24fps+	300MB/s+

⚠️ Note: Always prioritise write speed, not just read speed.

✅ Recommended SSDs for Video Recording

Lexar SL500 SSD

Rated: Up to 1,800MB/s write
Real-world: Fast & reliable
Works great with cages/mounts

Lexar Go SSD + Media Hub

Direct-connect option
Low power draw
Compact & ideal for run-and-gun setups

💡 Tip: Always test your SSD using tools like Blackmagic Disk Speed Test (Mac/Windows) to verify real-world performance.

Why Power Draw Matters

Most phones output a max of 4.5W over USB-C. SSDs with higher power draw can cause:

Dropped frames
Recording errors
Sudden disconnects

❌ SSDs to Avoid:

SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD V2 (peaks at 7.3W)

✅ SSDs with Low Power Draw:

Choosing the Right USB-C Cable

Not all USB-C cables are created equal. You need:

USB 3.1 Gen 2 or USB 3.2 Gen 2x1
Speed: 10Gbps (1,250MB/s)
Length: Keep under 2m (shorter = better)

Avoid:

Charging-only cables
Unlabeled or generic cables
Passive USB 4 cables over 0.8m

🔗 For compatible USB-C Cables that support 120fps ProRes and RAW video on smartphone see here.

How to Format Your SSD for iPhone and Android

For capturing video to an SSD on your smartphone, you need to format your SSD as exFAT with no encryption. This format supports:

Files larger than 4GB
Full compatibility with macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android

How to Format you SSD as ExFAT for iPhone and Android Video Capture:

On iPhone (iOS 17/18+):

Long-press the SSD in Files app > Erase > Choose exFAT.

On Mac:

Use Disk Utility > Select your SSD > Erase > Format: exFAT

On Windows:

File Explorer > Right-click SSD > Format > File System: exFAT

⚠️ Android does not natively support formatting as exFAT — use a computer to do it.

Best SSD Mounting Solutions for Smartphones

✅ Top SSD Mounts & Grips (2025)

1. Lexar Go Professional SSD for iPhone and Android

Direct USB-C connection
Optional hub adds power + mic support
Small & ultra portable

2. Lexar SL500 + Cold Shoe Mount

Use with cages like:
- Freewell Genius Rig (iPhone/Samsung)
- Neewer Universal Cage (Android)
Mount with:
- SmallRig SSD Clamp
- Neewer SSD Mount

3. Freewell Pro SSD Hub

Integrated M.2 SSD support
Detachable grip with Bluetooth shutter
Cold shoe + USB-C passthrough
SSD pops out for fast editing

⭐ Best SSD for Freewell Pro SSD Hub: Samsung 980 (1TB or 2TB)

Apps That Support External SSD Recording

🎥 iPhone: Blackmagic Camera (Free)

📽️ Android: Blackmagic Camera (Free)

How to Record to SSD:

Plug in SSD
Open Settings > Media > Save Clips To > Files
Select your SSD > Tap Open

Optional:

Settings > Record > If Media Drops Frame:
Choose “Alert” or “Stop Recording”

✅ Supports 4K ProRes 60/120fps on iPhone 15 & 16 Pro

🎥 Android: MotionCam Pro (Free)

How to Record to SSD:

Plug in SSD
Open RAW Video > Tap Resolution
Scroll to Recording Path > Tap Set
Select SSD > Use This Folder > Allow

✅ Supports Cinema DNG RAW & ProRes recording

🎥 Native iPhone Camera App

If you simply plug in an SSD:

iOS will automatically record to it
ProRes 60/120fps enabled on iPhone 15/16 Pro

❌ Android’s native camera apps do not support SSD recording — use a third-party app.

Recap: What You Need for SSD Video Capture on Mobile

Item	Recommendation
SSD	Lexar SL500 / Lexar Go / Freewell SSD Hub
Cable	USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps) < 2m
Format	exFAT
Mount	Freewell Cage, SmallRig, or Neewer cages
iOS App	Blackmagic Camera
Android App	MotionCam Pro

Final Thoughts

Recording video to an SSD on iPhone or Android is not only possible — it’s the smartest way to unlock high-bitrate, high-frame-rate formats without breaking the bank or your workflow.

With the right gear, the right cable, and the right app — you're good to go.

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