iPad Pro Homebrew external storage driver possible?

[gnomeisland]

I'm not a developer, but it seems possible to create an app that would add external USB support to the Files app. I'm sure it wouldn't make it past the review process to make it on the App Store (or someone would have done it already). But if a personal were to develop it on their own, couldn't they load it onto their own iPad?

If that's true I'd crowd fund an open source project to do that.

 

[macdaddy1991]

It would likely have to be app specific and not apply system wide.

 

[007p]

A) IOKit is accessible from iOS apps
B) The Files app allows you create userspace filesystem providers

Am I missing something? Couldn't somebody build an IOUSB mass storage driver for Files and put it on Github? I know App Store apps in the past have abused USB. Entitlements?

https://twitter.com/stroughtonsmith/status/1057440606031695872

 

[gnomeisland]

https://twitter.com/stroughtonsmith/status/1057440606031695872

Thanks, this is exactly what I'm talking about. Seems inconclusive at this point but likely that the APIs don't allow full access.
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It would likely have to be app specific and not apply system wide.

Perhaps but the Files app is extensible. I'm more confident that part is possible, I'm less confident that the IOKit allows any apps to have enough access.

EDIT: there are 3rd party apps that will allow Files to access wireless drives through FTP or webDAV.

 

[krizko]

Something like this maybe?

https://www.cultofmac.com/529159/how-to-use-a-usb-drive-with-files-on-ios/

 

[gnomeisland]

Something like this maybe?

https://www.cultofmac.com/529159/how-to-use-a-usb-drive-with-files-on-ios/

Yes, but hopefully not limited to the iXpand. Will check this out.

 

[Marshall73]

Hopefully Documents by readdle will add usb support if Apple doesn’t add support to the files app.

 

[TrueBlou]

Until/if this ever happens and here’s hoping it will. I wouldn’t be without my trusty MobileLite, sure it’s WiFi, but at least you can access any SD card or USB hard drive. Among its many uses.

 

[sparksd]

Until/if this ever happens and here’s hoping it will. I wouldn’t be without my trusty MobileLite, sure it’s WiFi, but at least you can access any SD card or USB hard drive. Among its many uses.

I similarly use a RAVPower FileHub + 4TB HDD but also find the Meenova Dash-i Plus uSD card reader to be really useful -

https://shopmeenova.appspot.com/st/p/dash_i.html#buyp

It's inexpensive ($36), let's me swap out large (256GB) cards as needed, and has a power pass-through port. Works like a charm.

 

[TrueBlou]

I similarly use a RAVPower FileHub + 4TB HDD but also find the Meenova Dash-i Plus uSD card reader to be really useful -

https://shopmeenova.appspot.com/st/p/dash_i.html#buyp

It's inexpensive ($36), let's me swap out large (256GB) cards as needed, and has a power pass-through port. Works like a charm.

That’s a nice little device, I may just have to invest in one. It’s not all of the time I need the versatility of the MobileLite. So a pocketable alternative is appealing. Here’s hoping a USB-C version is on the cards. Wonder if Apple will do a Lightning to USB-C adapter? Unlikely, but technically possible.

 

[sparksd]

That’s a nice little device, I may just have to invest in one. It’s not all of the time I need the versatility of the MobileLite. So a pocketable alternative is appealing. Here’s hoping a USB-C version is on the cards. Wonder if Apple will do a Lightning to USB-C adapter? Unlikely, but technically possible.

One of the things I noted when looking at the new iPads as an upgrade for my 10.5 iPP was the replacement cost for peripherals. On the Lightning side, I have the SD card reader, HDMI adapter, multiple card readers, and cables - the $ add up fast, particularly as prices have also increased. And the card readers compatible with the new iPad may not show up for some time. And the pencil and ASK ...

 

[TrueBlou]

One of the things I noted when looking at the new iPads as an upgrade for my 10.5 iPP was the replacement cost for peripherals. On the Lightning side, I have the SD card reader, HDMI adapter, multiple card readers, and cables - the $ add up fast, particularly as prices have also increased. And the card readers compatible with the new iPad may not show up for some time. And the pencil and ASK ...

Yeah it’s a bit pricey when you start adding up all of the little things (if you’re a person who uses a lot of them.)


I’m not too concerned. The Lightning items I have can and will still be used with my iPhone and the wife’s iPad Pro, so I’m not losing anything.


As usual it’s just the replacement items. But we always get stuck with that when a new generation of connections comes along. Doesn’t matter who the manufacturer is, eventually we’ve all got to upgrade.


Course I’m saying I’m used to it, but I’m old. I go way back to serial ports, parallel ports and the same but when different manufacturers used different shapes and sizes of the same damn thing.


I guess I don’t mind because I always have use for the old ones. 30 pin Dock connector, still have and still use an old iPod.

Still have and still use old Sinclair Spectrum, Commodores, Amstrad, MSX, Atari and 40 odd old consoles and so on. So my investments are usually not wasted too much.

 

[sparksd]

Yeah it’s a bit pricey when you start adding up all of the little things (if you’re a person who uses a lot of them.)


I’m not too concerned. The Lightning items I have can and will still be used with my iPhone and the wife’s iPad Pro, so I’m not losing anything.


As usual it’s just the replacement items. But we always get stuck with that when a new generation of connections comes along. Doesn’t matter who the manufacturer is, eventually we’ve all got to upgrade.


Course I’m saying I’m used to it, but I’m old. I go way back to serial ports, parallel ports and the same but when different manufacturers used different shapes and sizes of the same damn thing.


I guess I don’t mind because I always have use for the old ones. 30 pin Dock connector, still have and still use an old iPod.

Still have and still use old Sinclair Spectrum, Commodores, Amstrad, MSX, Atari and 40 odd old consoles and so on. So my investments are usually not wasted too much.

lol - yeah, I'm old, too - retired S/W Systems Engineer. Wrote my first code in 1971. I badly wanted an Altair 8800 but couldn't afford it.

 

[TrueBlou]

lol - yeah, I'm old, too - retired S/W Systems Engineer. Wrote my first code in 1971. I badly wanted an Altair 8800 but couldn't afford it.

Now there’s a classic piece of computing history. Would be kind of nice to have one in the collection


I took a different route myself, started out as a robotnik in electronics. Eventually ended up as an engineer in the semiconductor industry. Few years out to go on the road with a band (which was awesome )


But ended up doing software development after I was in an accident and ended up doped up on a cocktail of morphine and other lovely mind altering sweets every day. Oddly no-one really wants to employ someone in that state, not that I blame them*. Some companies told me point blank they wouldn’t allow my medication on-site (off the record obviously.) but it’s been for the better I guess, I really do love tinkering away with code.


Just recently found myself in journalism as well as a sideline. God knows how, I’m fairly sure my English teacher would be rolling in her grave at the very thought of it.



.......... *And it makes me waffle on something rotten, as you can probably tell