iPad Air Moving files from a Surface pro?

[Errk!]

I have a Surface Pro 6 and an iPad Air (4th gen). I want to move some files onto the iPad via iTunes but when I plug in to the Surface (using a USB C-B adapter since the Surface doesn't have USB C) I get this message:

"Power surge on the USB port: Unknown USB device needs more power than the port can supply"

Is there a way to disable USB charging so that I can connect without the Surface trying to give it power? Or is there another solution? Uploading files to iCloud and downloading them again is time consuming and clunky. Can I connect an iPad in a way that doesn't charge it but still gives file access via iTunes

 

[Digitalguy]

Can't you just use a USB drive?

 

[bondr006]

I have a Surface Pro 6 and an iPad Air (4th gen). I want to move some files onto the iPad via iTunes but when I plug in to the Surface (using a USB C-B adapter since the Surface doesn't have USB C) I get this message:

"Power surge on the USB port: Unknown USB device needs more power than the port can supply"

Is there a way to disable USB charging so that I can connect without the Surface trying to give it power? Or is there another solution? Uploading files to iCloud and downloading them again is time consuming and clunky. Can I connect an iPad in a way that doesn't charge it but still gives file access via iTunes

Use the files app on the iPad to connect to your SP6 via WIFI. That is how I transfer files between PC and iPad or iPhone.

1. On your SP6 open the Command Prompt and type ipconfig/all
2. On the line that says IPv4 Address, get your SP6's physical IP address. Something like this:

3. Open the files app on your iPad and follow my directions in the video below...

 

[subjonas]

Use the files app on the iPad to connect to your SP6 via WIFI. That is how I transfer files between PC and iPad or iPhone.

1. On your SP6 open the Command Prompt and type ipconfig/all
2. On the line that says IPv4 Address, get your SP6's physical IP address. Something like this:
View attachment 1979466
3. Open the files app on your iPad and follow my directions in the video below...

View attachment 1979464

I did this with my Mac before, I didn’t know this works with PC too. That’s great! Unfortunately, I followed the instructions but after I put in my login info, it said “there was a problem connecting to server”. I tried twice and pretty sure I did everything right. 🤔

 

[bondr006]

I did this with my Mac before, I didn’t know this works with PC too. That’s great! Unfortunately, I followed the instructions but after I put in my login info, it said “there was a problem connecting to server”. I tried twice and pretty sure I did everything right. 🤔

When you put your IP address in the Server box, did you make sure you put SMB:// first?

Edit: The only other thing I can think of is, did you go into the folder properties of the folders on your PC you want to see in the files app and make sure they were shared?

 

[subjonas]

When you put your IP address in the Server box, did you make sure you put SMB:// first?

I didn’t before, but I just tried it a couple times now and still got the same message. I also tried logging in as guest and as registered user with my password but same message for both. This is using the IPv4 address, and both PC and iPad are on same wifi network. 😑 ah technology…

 

[bondr006]

I didn’t before, but I just tried it a couple times now and still got the same message. I also tried logging in as guest and as registered user with my password but same message for both. This is using the IPv4 address, and both PC and iPad are on same wifi network. 😑 ah technology…

How about: The only other thing I can think of is, did you go into the folder properties of the folders on your PC you want to see in the files app and make sure they were shared?

 

[subjonas]

How about: The only other thing I can think of is, did you go into the folder properties of the folders on your PC you want to see in the files app and make sure they were shared?

I forgot to share the folder lol. But even though I’m sharing it now, Files app still can’t connect. For some reason, now it says “invalid user name or password” every time I try to log in. The strange thing about it (besides that it’s not the wrong name or password) is that the message pops up instantaneously no matter what I type in, as if it’s not even trying to see if the log-in is correct. This also happens when I try guest log-in which has no password. I tried restarting my iPad, but no effect. 😑😑 Let me know if you have any ideas, but if not, I appreciate the effort!

 

[bondr006]

I forgot to share the folder lol. But even though I’m sharing it now, Files app still can’t connect. For some reason, now it says “invalid user name or password” every time I try to log in. The strange thing about it (besides that it’s not the wrong name or password) is that the message pops up instantaneously no matter what I type in, as if it’s not even trying to see if the log-in is correct. This also happens when I try guest log-in which has no password. I tried restarting my iPad, but no effect. 😑😑 Let me know if you have any ideas, but if not, I appreciate the effort!

1. Try signing in with your Microsoft account user name and password. 2. If you have it set up with just a local account, it will be the name of the computer and whatever password you use.

You can find the Computer name by going into Settings, System, About

 

[subjonas]

1. Try signing in with your Microsoft account user name and password. 2. If you have it set up with just a local account, it will be the name of the computer and whatever password you use.

You can find the Computer name by going into Settings, System, About

I just tried both. No go.

 

[Errk!]

Can't you just use a USB drive?

Yes - thanks for the suggestion. I found a nice USB drive with USB B on one side and C on the other. Works great.

Use the files app on the iPad to connect to your SP6 via WIFI. That is how I transfer files between PC and iPad or iPhone.

1. On your SP6 open the Command Prompt and type ipconfig/all
2. On the line that says IPv4 Address, get your SP6's physical IP address. Something like this:
View attachment 1979516
3. Open the files app on your iPad and follow my directions in the video below...

View attachment 1979464

I went with the USB drive but I appreciate the suggestion and will keep this info in mind if I need to go this route - thank you.

 

[bondr006]

I just tried both. No go.

I am sorry. I am tapped out. If I think of anything, I will pm you.

 

[sparksd]

I am sorry. I am tapped out. If I think of anything, I will pm you.

Potentially a firewall issue?

 

[bondr006]

Potentially a firewall issue?

Could be, but I am about at the end of my technical knowledge on this and do not know much about firewalls and more advanced networking. Thankfully it works for me. It is a very convenient first party way to communicate between iDevices and PC's. I wish I could have been more help to @subjonas

 

[subjonas]

Potentially a firewall issue?

I’ll look into that, thanks

Could be, but I am about at the end of my technical knowledge on this and do not know much about firewalls and more advanced networking. Thankfully it works for me. It is a very convenient first party way to communicate between iDevices and PC's. I wish I could have been more help to @subjonas

Appreciate the effort! I’m sure I’ll find the fix eventually.

 

[sparksd]

Could be, but I am about at the end of my technical knowledge on this and do not know much about firewalls and more advanced networking. Thankfully it works for me. It is a very convenient first party way to communicate between iDevices and PC's. I wish I could have been more help to @subjonas

Yeah, it's a capability I use a lot with my Win 11 devices and iPads & phone. An easy check is to go in and fully turn off the firewall for a brief while to test. Another possibility is blocking on the router side.