At a glance
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Strong security for your files
- NFC on iPhone is easy to use
- Compact, lightweight design
Cons
- No IP rating
- Modest performance
Our Verdict
There are faster – and more rugged – drives available for professional users. However, the TouchLock’s clever NFC features provide good security for your important files, along with admirable ease of use, and compatibility with a wide range of computers and mobile devices.
Price When Reviewed
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Best Pricing Today
Price When Reviewed
512GB $99.99 | 1TB: $159.99
Best Prices Today: Lexar TouchLock Portable SSD
Best for
- iPhone users who want simple secure storage
- Mobile photo/video backups
- Travel storage
Not ideal for
- High-speed editing workflows
- Rugged outdoor use
- Thunderbolt/USB4 performance needs
Lexar makes a number of portable storage devices that focus on smartphones and mobile devices rather than just Macs and PCs. The latest addition to its range is the TouchLock Portable SSD. At first glance, the TouchLock looks like a fairly conventional solid-state drive, and its USB-C interface allows it to work with Macs and PCs as well as mobile devices. However, it also includes several additional features that provide extra security, along with MagSafe compatibility for iPhone users.
This drive is primarily aimed at iPhone owners who want simple NFC-based security and convenient MagSafe mounting rather than maximum transfer speeds.
There are currently two versions of the TouchLock available. The 512GB model costs $99.99/£69.99, while the 1TB version that we tested costs $159.99/£119.99. Lexar has also indicated that it plans to release a 2TB model, although it wasn’t available at the time of writing.
A USB-C interface provides compatibility with most recent computers and mobile devices.
The TouchLock is neatly designed, with a sleek silver case that measures just 7mm thick, 53mm wide and 85mm high, and weighs only 40g. It’s easy to slip into a pocket or bag when travelling, and Lexar says the drive can withstand drops from up to two metres. However, the company doesn’t provide an IP rating for water or dust resistance, so users who need a more rugged drive for outdoor use may want to consider alternatives such as LaCie’s Rugged SSD range.
The compact design also makes it small enough to attach directly to an iPhone when backing up photos or video files. The back panel of the TouchLock includes a MagSafe-compatible magnetic ring that holds it in place (and it also worked with the MagSafe sleeve I use to protect my iPhone). The drive has a standard USB-C interface, and Lexar includes a USB-C cable with a USB-A adaptor in the box so it can connect to recent Apple devices, as well as Windows PCs and Android devices with USB-C.
Admittedly, it’s not the fastest portable SSD available. The TouchLock supports USB 3.2 (Gen 1), with Lexar quoting read and write speeds of 450MB/s and 420MB/s respectively. Those figures are modest compared with some newer USB4 and Thunderbolt 5 drives, but Lexar says the TouchLock can still handle direct recording of Apple ProRes video at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second (though not at 120fps). In our tests, the drive didn’t quite reach the quoted speeds, generally delivering around 350MB/s for both read and write performance. Even so, that should be more than adequate for routine Time Machine backups on a Mac, as well as backing up photos, videos and other files from an iPhone or iPad.
How iPhone NFC locking works
The standout feature of the TouchLock is its ability to use NFC (Near Field Communication) on your iPhone to lock and unlock the drive. When you first plug the TouchLock into a Mac, PC or other device, it doesn’t immediately appear on the desktop like a conventional USB drive. Instead, you must first set up its security features using the Lexar app on an iPhone or Android phone.
The process is straightforward. Plug the TouchLock into any Mac or other device that can power it via USB-C, then launch the Lexar app on your phone. The first time you use the drive, the app prompts you to create a security code. After that, it uses your phone’s NFC capability to unlock the drive so you can access your files and use it like a normal external drive. (The iPhone has included NFC since the iPhone 6, although NFC isn’t currently available on Macs or iPads.)
The TouchLock is locked to protect your files, and can only be unlocked by using NFC on your personal iPhone.
How you unlock the TouchLock with an iPhone
The NFC chip in an iPhone is typically located near the camera on the back of the device. To unlock the TouchLock, simply hold that area of the phone against the NFC pad on the front of the drive, which is marked with a small padlock icon. The Lexar app then communicates with the drive via NFC and unlocks it so you can access your files. As a helpful touch, the app uses haptic feedback to make the iPhone vibrate when the drive has been successfully unlocked.
When the TouchLock is unplugged from a Mac or other device, it automatically locks again and can only be unlocked using the Lexar app on your personal iPhone. The files stored on the drive are also protected with 128-bit encryption, preventing others from accessing them with the Lexar app on their own phone.
Should You Buy The Lexar TouchLock Portable SSD?
It may not be the fastest solid-state drive available, but the TouchLock Portable SSD offers strong security for important files and data. It works with a wide range of computers and mobile devices, and its NFC-based unlocking system is easier to use than many password-protected drives we’ve tested. Combined with its compact design and MagSafe compatibility, it’s an affordable and convenient option for keeping important files secure while travelling.
