I’m looking for possible reasons and resolution for why my iPad Pro (2nd Generation) doesn’t recognize a Sandisk Extreme SSD connected using an Apple USB-C to Lightning cable. I have an iPad Pro (3rd Generation) that does recognize the Sandisk drive using a USB-C to USB-C cable. Both iPads are up to date running iPadOS 13.3.1.
iPad Air 2, iOS 12
The external storage device, to be recognised by your iPad, must have only a single partition - and be formatted at FAT32, exFAT or APFS+.
It must also have adequate power, which the iPad may not be able to provide. As such, connecting both your iPad and your storage device to a powered USB hub may also be necessary - the proving power to the storage device if it doesn’t have its own power supply.
If using an iPad with a Lightning port, you will also require an Apple Lightning to USB3.0 Camera Adapter. A Lightning to USB-C cable does not provide the necessary interface; an iPad with a Lightning port does not contain a USB Controller - this instead being provided by the Camera Adapter.
The external storage device, to be recognised by your iPad, must have only a single partition - and be formatted at FAT32, exFAT or APFS+.
It must also have adequate power, which the iPad may not be able to provide. As such, connecting both your iPad and your storage device to a powered USB hub may also be necessary - the proving power to the storage device if it doesn’t have its own power supply.
If using an iPad with a Lightning port, you will also require an Apple Lightning to USB3.0 Camera Adapter. A Lightning to USB-C cable does not provide the necessary interface; an iPad with a Lightning port does not contain a USB Controller - this instead being provided by the Camera Adapter.
Thank you very much for the quick reply and very helpful information. I wondered if power to the external drive was a problem with the Gen 2 iPad. I looked at USB-C hubs with their own power supply when online checking out external drives. But, the Camera Adapter is something I had no idea was necessary, so I’ll order one of those, as well. Excellent info. Thanks again.
Connecting external drive
