Connecting iPad to External Hard drive

I have an external hard drive which uses a USB 3.0 B Micro cable to connect to the hard drive, and a type A USB to connect to your computer. Can anyone tell me what type of adapter or cable I could buy so I can use this hard drive with my new iPad?


This is the hard drive: Toshiba 1TB Canvio Basics Portable External Hard Drive,USB 3.0 Gen 1, Black (HDTB410EK3AA) https://amzn.eu/d/aW2WhiH


Thank you!

iPad, iPadOS 16

Posted on Feb 12, 2023 08:32 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 12, 2023 08:40 AM

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


Some additional information can be found here:

Connect external devices or servers with Files on iPhone - Apple Support

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



1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 12, 2023 08:40 AM in response to littlelb

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


Some additional information can be found here:

Connect external devices or servers with Files on iPhone - Apple Support

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



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Connecting iPad to External Hard drive

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