3 ms·

I have never once connected my phone to my computer, with a cable, besides for charging. What am I missing out on? I have a large iCloud storage plan, so maybe

by nomel 4y ago

I have never once connected my phone to my computer, with a cable, besides for charging. What am I missing out on? I have a large iCloud storage plan, so maybe that’s related?

MBCook 4y ago
If you take 4k HDR video the files are huge and take ages to get off the phone via USB 2.0. Same with lots of 48 MP HDR photos. It’s easier to let the phone upload them to iCloud and then download from there, but that shouldn’t be necessary (and requires a good internet connection). I don’t think it’s a problem for normal people’s workflows, more if you’re trying to use them for professional video/camera things.
- nomel 4y ago
  I think your average person, familiar with Apple products, would use air drop. There’s no sanity in bouncing off of iCloud. That’ll be many times slower than USB, for most asymmetric internet connections. USB 3 will be a couple times faster than WiFi 6, used between modern apple devices, so I see how that would be beneficial, for people editing.
  - ClumsyPilot 4y ago
    Some people don't use a mac so airdrop is not an option. With Gigabit internet iCloud can be faster than USB 2.0
    - nomel 4y ago
      There are many apps that allow transferring files over WiFi, including to a windows computer. It never makes sense to bounce things off of iCloud, if time matters. You can’t start the receive until the upload is complete, and if you have Wi-Fi 6, gigabit internet would still be a bottleneck.
      - Dylan16807 4y ago
        > There are many apps that allow transferring files over WiFi, including to a windows computer. And they're a lot more awkward then using a cable. They also might not even have a speed advantage over USB 2.0 if the router is in a different room.
lynndotpy 4y ago
Network tethering, scrcpy, and dead-simple very fast file transfers are three things I miss from Android. I think KDE Connect is faster wired too (eg to use your phone as a USB keyboard or mouse.)
- robertoandred 4y ago
  You don’t need a cable for network tethering or file transfers on iPhones.
  - makeitdouble 4y ago
    You don’t _need_ to, but it’s better and more reliable.
  - katbyte 4y ago
    the phone also charges while tethered which is a plus
- doublepg23 4y ago
  Even on Android I’ve never had a good time with file transfers. MTP is just such a flaky protocol.
SkyPuncher 4y ago
Android Auto/Apple CarPlay are the only things I ever connect for data transfer.

by nomel 4y ago

I have never once connected my phone to my computer, with a cable, besides for charging. What am I missing out on? I have a large iCloud storage plan, so maybe that’s related?

MBCook 4y ago

If you take 4k HDR video the files are huge and take ages to get off the phone via USB 2.0. Same with lots of 48 MP HDR photos. It’s easier to let the phone upload them to iCloud and then download from there, but that shouldn’t be necessary (and requires a good internet connection). I don’t think it’s a problem for normal people’s workflows, more if you’re trying to use them for professional video/camera things.

nomel 4y ago
I think your average person, familiar with Apple products, would use air drop. There’s no sanity in bouncing off of iCloud. That’ll be many times slower than USB, for most asymmetric internet connections. USB 3 will be a couple times faster than WiFi 6, used between modern apple devices, so I see how that would be beneficial, for people editing.
- ClumsyPilot 4y ago
  Some people don't use a mac so airdrop is not an option. With Gigabit internet iCloud can be faster than USB 2.0
  - nomel 4y ago
    There are many apps that allow transferring files over WiFi, including to a windows computer. It never makes sense to bounce things off of iCloud, if time matters. You can’t start the receive until the upload is complete, and if you have Wi-Fi 6, gigabit internet would still be a bottleneck.
    - Dylan16807 4y ago
      > There are many apps that allow transferring files over WiFi, including to a windows computer. And they're a lot more awkward then using a cable. They also might not even have a speed advantage over USB 2.0 if the router is in a different room.

lynndotpy 4y ago

Network tethering, scrcpy, and dead-simple very fast file transfers are three things I miss from Android. I think KDE Connect is faster wired too (eg to use your phone as a USB keyboard or mouse.)

robertoandred 4y ago
You don’t need a cable for network tethering or file transfers on iPhones.
- makeitdouble 4y ago
  You don’t _need_ to, but it’s better and more reliable.
- katbyte 4y ago
  the phone also charges while tethered which is a plus
doublepg23 4y ago
Even on Android I’ve never had a good time with file transfers. MTP is just such a flaky protocol.

SkyPuncher 4y ago

Android Auto/Apple CarPlay are the only things I ever connect for data transfer.