How to use a USB key with the iPad: to be able to connect it

Using and managing data from USB flash drive on iPad is quite simple, just follow these steps.

Apple has tried for years to sell us the idea that the iPad can be as productive as a laptop. Of course, among the many features that a real computer needs is the ability to efficiently manage files both within the device as well as between the device in question and an external one. Thanks to the advancement of the iPadOS system, it’s possible today, and that’s why We come to show you how to use a USB stick on an iPad in a very easy way.

Although there are uses in which an iPad outperforms a computer, this gadget does not have a suitable USB input, but it does have its own Lightning connector that will allow us to use all kinds of accessories compatible with the Apple tablet. . On the other hand, if you have an iPad Pro 2018, the doors open even more, and this is what you can connect to the USB-C of your iPad. If you want to learn how to use a USB stick on your iPad, this is what to check first.

Before Using a USB Flash Drive on an iPad with a Lightning Port

The Lightning port is one of the company’s legendary connectors, and it’s been around since the iPhone 5 launched in 2012. This port has limitations that are becoming more and more evident over time, and especially if we want to. use our iPad as a secondary computer. . Transfer speed with Lightning port is significantly lower than with other connectors, so we will not be able to use some storage units as SSDs.

To be able to connect a USB stick to an iPad with a Lightning port, we will need to buy a Lightning to USB Type A adapter first which we can find on the official Apple website – although you can also use third party options -. This adapter also has a power outlet to which, due to the low energy supplied by the Lightning port, we will necessarily have to connect the iPad when using an external storage unit in order to be able to power it.

Before using a USB flash drive on an iPad with a USB-C port

If you have an iPad Pro 2018 or higher, you may have noticed that your device has a USB-C input instead of a Lightning connector like in Apple products. Sure, with USB-C, you will have no problem connecting storage devices to your iPad, and if your USB flash drive has a USB-C input, you won’t have to buy an adapter.

One of the positive aspects of this connector is that in addition to being compatible with all kinds of adapters and accessories, it can offer much higher data transfer speed to that of the Lightning connector, compatibility with the DisplayPort protocol to connect your iPad to the TV / monitor, keyboards, hubs and docks, MIDI devices and, what matters most to us, it will provide the device with enough power for the power used on your iPad. Of course, if you want to connect a USB-A dongle to your iPad, you’ll need a USB-C to USB-A adapter which you can also get from Apple’s official website.

According to Apple’s official website, the only iPad devices with USB-C input They are as follows:

• iPad Pro 11 inches (1st generation or later).
• iPad Pro 12.9 inches (3rd generation or later).
• ipad air (Fourth generation).

Now you can create your own iPhone with USB-C, although it won’t be an easy task

How to use a USB flash drive on iPadOS

If you have read the steps above, you will already know what you need to connect your USB drive or USB storage device to iPad. It’s pretty straightforward, and thanks to the management of iPadOS in this section, transferring, editing, and opening files from a USB drive on the iPad has become a snap. To do so, just follow these steps:

1. Connect the USB stick to your iPad using the adapter or USB-C port.
2. Once logged in, enter the File application which is included in iPadOS.
3. In the left side you will see the different storage options. You can also access iCloud Drive or Google Drive, although that doesn’t matter at the moment.
4. In the section Pitches you will see your USB drive.
5. If the storage device does not appear, press the three points in the upper right corner of the Explore section.
6. Select your device usb storage that you have connected to the iPad.
7. Ready, you will have already connected your USB drive to the iPad.

Once done, you will have access to the files on your USB drive or USB storage device. You can decide to open one of them or transfer them to your iPad with the different tools offered by the operating system. Sure, you can also export these files to iPad internal storage just by dragging it in one of the locations to the right of the browser; Among the different options we can find the section ‘On my iPad’, iCloud Drive, Google Drive and a few others depending on the apps you have installed on your iPad.

Of course, it is always possible to find some problem while connecting a storage device to the iPad, that is why here we leave you several solutions that you can try to make your USB stick or disk work properly. external on your iPad. With the update to iPadOS 15, many new features have reached the world’s most famous tablet, and it is Apple has gone to great lengths to make the operating system much more intuitive and useful for casual users and professionals who use iPad every day.

Related topics: Tutorials

Subscribe to Disney + for only $ 8.99! register