Connecting an external HDD to new iPad Pro (2018)

[Robertjan88]

Is it possible to connect an external HDD to the iPad Pro to import videos?

I don't use a personal laptop and want to import some of my recorded videos to my iPad Pro (2018 model).

If so, can I use any USB-C to USB3.0 adapter or will only the one Apple is selling work?

What about speeds (got around 60GB I would like to copy)?

Thanks!

 

[Absrnd]

Normal HDD can't be connected, only (maybe) with a hub,
and still you will only be able to transfer files to a specific app that works with that hub, or app from a thumb drive.

Only images can be imported into the foto app, all other can be watched with the inbuilt app for that thumb drive, and most have trouble transferring at a decent speed, or playback of larger files.

You might consider a Wi-Fi external drive, but still you get terrible transfer speeds

 

[Robertjan88]

Normal HDD can't be connected, only (maybe) with a hub,
and still you will only be able to transfer files to a specific app that works with that hub, or app from a thumb drive.

Only images can be imported into the foto app, all other can be watched with the inbuilt app for that thumb drive, and most have trouble transferring at a decent speed, or playback of larger files.

You might consider a Wi-Fi external drive, but still you get terrible transfer speeds

Pff that's a shame, hence in the end I will still need a laptop.... :-(

 

[sparksd]

Normal HDD can't be connected, only (maybe) with a hub,
and still you will only be able to transfer files to a specific app that works with that hub, or app from a thumb drive.

Only images can be imported into the foto app, all other can be watched with the inbuilt app for that thumb drive, and most have trouble transferring at a decent speed, or playback of larger files.

You might consider a Wi-Fi external drive, but still you get terrible transfer speeds

Agree. I use a FileHub and copy speeds from an attached HDD to my iPP are about 4MB/sec. It works great for streaming video from the HDD but copying is painful.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Is it possible to connect an external HDD to the iPad Pro to import videos?

I don't use a personal laptop and want to import some of my recorded videos to my iPad Pro (2018 model).

If so, can I use any USB-C to USB3.0 adapter or will only the one Apple is selling work?

What about speeds (got around 60GB I would like to copy)?

Thanks!

I’m afraid not.

 

[profets]

I know you can connect an external disk or thumb drive and the only current supported method of importing is into the Photos app. Likely possible to import video as well in this manner? Maybe dependent on file type?

I suspect we’ll see this come by iOS 13 (connecting an external disk and being able to browse / copy files in Files app).

 

[sparksd]

I know you can connect an external disk or thumb drive and the only current supported method of importing is into the Photos app. Likely possible to import video as well in this manner? Maybe dependent on file type?

I suspect we’ll see this come by iOS 13 (connecting an external disk and being able to browse / copy files in Files app).

There are Lightning-based uSD readers that work. I reviewed one here -

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/review-smartq-c620-mfi-lightning-microsd-card-reader.2100810/

I prefer the one from iKlips as it has power pass-through -

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y5BQTZ3

I got it for $45.

I wouldn't hold my breath on that iOS 13 functionality. I personally doubt that Apple will provide iOS-based hard drvie support.

 

[DNichter]

You can get flash drives that will work. I’d suggest investing in an NAS to accomplish said tasks. Your own personal cloud, better set up for the future anyway.

 

[sparksd]

You can get flash drives that will work. I’d suggest investing in an NAS to accomplish said tasks. Your own personal cloud, better set up for the future anyway.

I also use a NAS with Western Digital MyCloud but need the drives for when faster access is necessary/desired or, as more often the case, Internet access is poor or totally unavailable. I don't count on cloud access.

 

[DNichter]

I also use a NAS with Western Digital MyCloud but need the drives for when faster access is necessary/desired or, as more often the case, Internet access is poor or totally unavailable. I don't count on cloud access.

That’s a bummer. Only on a plane do I not have fast access. I guess an iOS flash drive is the best solution then.

 

[sparksd]

That’s a bummer. Only on a plane do I not have fast access. I guess an iOS flash drive is the best solution then.

Yeah, it's surprising how often I run into that problem.

I just noticed that the OP said 2108 iPad; the readers I referenced are Lightning-based, not USB-C.

 

[JD2015]

I use a sandisk connect usb thumb drive. Just purchased it as wanted something to be able to carry around documents on it in case I need to put them on someone else’s pc. Allow for WiFi transfer using the associated free IOS app. Haven’t tried to plug it into the IPad directly as transfer speeds are quick enough for me. Not sure how it performs though with transferring photos on and off. As for video you can use it also though not sure if there are any buffering issues. Plus, of course you cannot transfer movies to and from iTunes on an iPad which is annoying when you have paid for them.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ZCFYFAO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_wDUaCbEY6AY5J

In the long run though I will most likely use a NAS but is quite expensive from what I have researched.