iPad External Storage Support is here.

[Trhodezy]

It's here. USB external storage support. Goodbye MacBook for uploading content to servers.

What apps do you guys use to upload to Backblaze B2 and the like?

 

[loekf]

Question is how ?

2018 iPad Pro is easy, it has USB-C

But what about iPads with a lightning connector ? No support or will it work with the USB Camera cable ?

 

[Jimmy James]

iPad only? Bah.

 

[Natya Sadella]

according to the ios 13 page, iphones will get that feature too. and .zip files can handled too

 

[fnsroot]

Should be available on iPhone and iOS, not only iPadOS:

External drive support
Access files on a USB drive, SD card, or hard drive.

Source:
https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-13-preview/features/

 

[Woodcrest64]

Its built into the Files App. I would hope too you can have a dongle or hub to add multiple drives as well. We will see!

 

[Wildkraut]

"Access", sounds like no write support

 

[Jimmy James]

Iphone too? Ok, I’m impressed.

Write would be nice. Even read only support is a big positive step.

 

[007p]

"Access", sounds like no write support

Can confirm there is write support.

 

[richpjr]

Can confirm there is write support.

I won't get a chance to try it until tonight, but someone posted in another thread that they were able to read and write from an external USB drive.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I wonder how this will work with the Xs Max and iPad mini 5.

 

[vbctv]

Want to know if this will work with Lightning Camera Connection Kit. That is the only way to plug in a USB to a Lightning port for iPad Pro 10.5 or older Pro 12.9. Hopefully someone will try and report back soon. I'll be going to buy my dongle tomorrow if so...

 

[Dwalls90]

I wonder how this will work with the Xs Max and iPad mini 5.

Aren't there lighting to USB adapters?

This further suggests we may truly see the new iPhones move to USB-C, though.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Aren't there lighting to USB adapters?

This further suggests we may truly see the new iPhones move to USB-C, though.

True. I forgot all about the adapters.

 

[Chargr]

I understand SD and HDD support, however there was already a USB option. I saw a lot of external flash drives for iPad/phones on amazon for a while now.

Edit:
Whoops, didn’t real the whole thread. Just saw the replies above.

 

[3rdiguy]

iPad hubs will finally take off in the fall

 

[richpjr]

iPad hubs will finally take off in the fall

I wonder when the iHub will be released...

 

[DeanL]

Doesn't support encrypted APFS.

 

[Brammy]

But what about iPads with a lightning connector ? No support or will it work with the USB Camera cable ?

I did some testing with this on my 1st gen 12.9"

The Camera Connection works fine. I was able to mount generic flash drives. With one gotcha: it needed a power source through the connection kit, but a battery backup works fine.

I could not get it to mount a USB portable drive with a spinning platter.

 

[TMRJIJ]

I don't know what's better. This feature or the fact that they were shaming us.

 

[vbctv]

I did some testing with this on my 1st gen 12.9"

The Camera Connection works fine. I was able to mount generic flash drives. With one gotcha: it needed a power source through the connection kit, but a battery backup works fine.

I could not get it to mount a USB portable drive with a spinning platter.

Bought my Lightning to USB Camera Kit (The one with the charging port) on Amazon for $30 and will be delivered on Wednesday, plan on testing this feature with many different drives. Plus from what I understand, need it to set-up the Magic Mouse thru the accessibility feature but will then work bluetooth according to what I read on The Verge. just like when you set it up on the Mac, you direct wire it first.

 

[sfwalter]

I can see drives in the Files app but not the document picker. Hopefully a beta 1 issue and not a limitation.

 

[Trhodezy]

I wonder when the iHub will be released...

Alongside the iNeverGonnaHappen if it goes the same way as AirPower.

Doesn't support encrypted APFS.

Yet.

 

[peros550]

So is this really confirmed? iPhones and iPads with lighting connector will support mass storage ?

Knowing Apple, I had assumed it would be a Pro only feature for iPad Pro 2018 and later. The ones with usb-c

 

[Brammy]

Knowing Apple, I had assumed it would be a Pro only feature for iPad Pro 2018 and later. The ones with usb-c

yes. I got it to work on my original 12.9. I did have to supply power via the camera connection kit, but an external battery still gave me enough power.