How to reliably connect Apple USB SuperDrive to iPad Pro m5?

How to reliably connect apple usb SuperDrive to iPad Pro m5?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: SuperDrive to iPad pro


iPad Pro (M5, 2025)

Posted on Dec 4, 2025 11:38 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 4, 2025 11:53 AM

Unfortunately, basically using a SuperDrive with your iPad Pro will not work (even with adapters).


Why?

  • iPadOS does not support optical drives.
  • Practically speaking, even if you connect the SuperDrive with a USB-A ↔︎ USB-C adapter (or via a hub), iPadOS won’t recognize it as a usable storage device.
  • The official documentation for the SuperDrive only mentions usage on Macs, via a USB-A port (or USB-C → USB-A adapter on newer Macs).
  • The SuperDrive is known to draw more power that typically can be provided by a standard USB-A (or USB-C) port. However, power is the least concern with using this drive with your iPad.


The bottom line?

If the goal is to read/write CDs or DVDs from the iPad Pro M5, there’s basically no reliable way using the Apple SuperDrive. Instead you’ll need alternative approaches:

  • Use a Mac or PC to read the optical disc contents, then transfer the data (files, media) via cloud, external SSD/USB-C drive, or network onto the iPad.
  • Acquire a third-party external optical drive (USB-C powered, or externally powered) that is explicitly designed for generic OS compatibility. Many of those behave more like standard USB mass-storage devices and have a better shot at working (though still no guarantee on iPadOS).
  • If the goal is media playback (like movies), consider ripping/encoding the disc on another machine, then using a media-file compatible with iPadOS.
6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 4, 2025 11:53 AM in response to Yas81alaam

Unfortunately, basically using a SuperDrive with your iPad Pro will not work (even with adapters).


Why?

  • iPadOS does not support optical drives.
  • Practically speaking, even if you connect the SuperDrive with a USB-A ↔︎ USB-C adapter (or via a hub), iPadOS won’t recognize it as a usable storage device.
  • The official documentation for the SuperDrive only mentions usage on Macs, via a USB-A port (or USB-C → USB-A adapter on newer Macs).
  • The SuperDrive is known to draw more power that typically can be provided by a standard USB-A (or USB-C) port. However, power is the least concern with using this drive with your iPad.


The bottom line?

If the goal is to read/write CDs or DVDs from the iPad Pro M5, there’s basically no reliable way using the Apple SuperDrive. Instead you’ll need alternative approaches:

  • Use a Mac or PC to read the optical disc contents, then transfer the data (files, media) via cloud, external SSD/USB-C drive, or network onto the iPad.
  • Acquire a third-party external optical drive (USB-C powered, or externally powered) that is explicitly designed for generic OS compatibility. Many of those behave more like standard USB mass-storage devices and have a better shot at working (though still no guarantee on iPadOS).
  • If the goal is media playback (like movies), consider ripping/encoding the disc on another machine, then using a media-file compatible with iPadOS.

Dec 5, 2025 2:29 AM in response to Yas81alaam

Yas81alaam wrote:

if not possible, is there a way to connect other cd/ dvd drive to iPad Pro even through a powered hub? If there what type is recommended?


To reiterate, iOS/iPadOS fundamentally does not support connection of any type of optical media drive - however it may be powered.


iOS/iPadOS lacks the necessary device-drivers to support this class of device - and similarly has no method by which device-driver software can be independently installed.

How to reliably connect Apple USB SuperDrive to iPad Pro m5?

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