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iPad Pro and External disks

How can I access files on an external drive from my iPad Pro?


iPad Pro 12.9-inch, 3rd Gen, Wi-Fi

Posted on Sep 9, 2021 8:57 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 9, 2021 9:11 AM

That would largely depend upon your model of iPad.


Connect external storage devices to iPad - Apple Support

https://www.imore.com/how-use-external-hard-drives-your-iphone-or-ipad


iPadOS provides limited support for external Hard Disk storage.


An external HDD can be connected to your iPad with the Apple adapter appropriate for your model of iPad - if the HDD is both partitioned and formatted appropriately (i.e., a single partition - formatted as FAT32, exFAT, APFS or HFS+). 


You should also note that the iPad is not capable of providing sufficient power to run an HDD. If the HDD does not have its own source of power - then external power must be supplied to the HDD using a connecting adapter (e.g., an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter and Apple Charger of at least 12W) - or by connecting both the iPad and HDD to a powered USB hub.


If you iPad has Lightning Port, you will require a Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter:

https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A


If you have a 2020 iPad Air4, or a 2018/2020 model of iPad Pro with a USB-C port, you will in all likelihood need to connect both your iPad and HDD to a powered USB Hub with appropriate USB cables.



3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 9, 2021 9:11 AM in response to rpingso

That would largely depend upon your model of iPad.


Connect external storage devices to iPad - Apple Support

https://www.imore.com/how-use-external-hard-drives-your-iphone-or-ipad


iPadOS provides limited support for external Hard Disk storage.


An external HDD can be connected to your iPad with the Apple adapter appropriate for your model of iPad - if the HDD is both partitioned and formatted appropriately (i.e., a single partition - formatted as FAT32, exFAT, APFS or HFS+). 


You should also note that the iPad is not capable of providing sufficient power to run an HDD. If the HDD does not have its own source of power - then external power must be supplied to the HDD using a connecting adapter (e.g., an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter and Apple Charger of at least 12W) - or by connecting both the iPad and HDD to a powered USB hub.


If you iPad has Lightning Port, you will require a Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter:

https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A


If you have a 2020 iPad Air4, or a 2018/2020 model of iPad Pro with a USB-C port, you will in all likelihood need to connect both your iPad and HDD to a powered USB Hub with appropriate USB cables.



Sep 9, 2021 1:25 PM in response to LotusPilot

Thank you for the help. I am using 12.9 iPad Pro (latest). I initially had tried attaching a LaCie 5TB Thunderbolt2 portable drive w/Tbolt3 adapter via a powered CalDigit Element hub. After your message, I then attached a 4TB USB drive and a 2TB SSD and they both showed up. When I then checked the LaCie, it turns out it is formatted MacOS Extended (Journaled) rather than APFS or the FAT versions. Problem solved. Thank you very much.


RP

iPad Pro and External disks

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