This December 2025 thread is a good example of why old ZimaOS storage posts need a clear time boundary. The original user wanted USB drives to behave more like first-class storage: visible in the total storage model, manageable from the UI, usable for backup destinations, and potentially usable in RAID.
At the time, those capabilities were split across different parts of the product and some were still under design. By August 2026, current ZimaOS documentation describes broader USB storage support than the original thread had.
IceWhale Explained the Backup Roles of Web, ZimaClient, and Mobile
ZimaOS Product Manager Collin clarified that the browser dashboard, desktop client, and mobile app had different responsibilities:
- the Web dashboard primarily manages and monitors backup tasks and storage targets;
- ZimaClient initiates PC and Mac backups because it can access the computer's local files;
- the mobile app handles phone-photo backup workflows.
This explains why the browser cannot simply browse arbitrary local folders on a laptop and create a desktop backup task from them.
ZimaClient 2.3.2 Added USB Backup Destinations
On December 15, 2025, Collin stated that ZimaClient 2.3.2 supported using USB drives as backup destinations. The original poster updated from 2.3.1 to 2.3.2 and confirmed that this solved the immediate backup-destination request.
That is the clearest solved portion of the source thread.
USB Storage Management Was Still a Roadmap Item in the Thread
Earlier replies described USB drives as external/removable devices that were not yet managed like normal ZimaStorage pool members. Collin then said the next major design iteration was planned to add fuller management, including RAID creation, independent-drive use, formatting, details, and mount/unmount controls.
That was a roadmap statement in December 2025, not a promise about a specific release date.
Current 2026 Documentation Has Moved Beyond That Limitation
The current ZimaOS Storage Setup documentation, updated August 28, 2026, now states that USB drives follow the same general storage logic as internal HDDs and SSDs. It describes USB drives as usable for storage, eligible to be added to an array, or used to expand existing space.
how current ZimaOS handles USB drives in Storage
This means the 2025 statement “USB drives cannot be part of the storage pool or RAID” should be treated as historical, not current product behavior.
Current Computer Backup Guidance Still Separates the System Drive
Current ZimaOS backup documentation recommends choosing a storage space such as a single disk or RAID array for computer backup and avoiding the ZimaOS system drive as the destination.
how ZimaOS chooses computer-backup destinations
IceWhale Said the Direction Was Not Limited to Zima Hardware
In January 2026, 777-Spider answered a platform question by saying that the team did not differentiate between third-party hardware and Zima hardware for ZimaOS or ZimaClient in this context.
That is useful for mini-PC and NUC users who originally joined the thread because external storage is more important on systems with limited internal drive bays.
ZimaOS USB Storage FAQ
Could ZimaClient use USB drives as backup destinations in late 2025?
Yes. The Product Manager said ZimaClient 2.3.2 added that support, and the original poster confirmed it after updating.
Were USB drives part of normal RAID management in the original 1.5.3 thread?
Not yet. Full USB storage management was described as under design and development.
Is that limitation still current in August 2026?
No. Current ZimaOS storage documentation says USB drives can be used for storage, added to an array, or used to expand storage space.
Why can't the Web dashboard select files directly from my PC?
The official explanation is architectural: the browser dashboard manages backup status and targets, while ZimaClient is the component that can safely access PC and Mac local files.
