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User profile for user: teotutulan
teotutulan Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

External HDD

Hi guys,


I assume you have more knowledge than I do. And I need your help.

I own an Ipad Pro 2018 - 12.9 inch (don`t know if matters). Latest PadOS update is 13.4.1

I am trying to connect to it an external HDD.

The HDD in question is 1 TB, NVME samsung, NTFS file format.

I am using the usb 3.0 cable .

The light on HDD comes on, however I cannot see it at all under the files app.

The HDD is working under different machines (windows laptop, smart TV) however is not being seen by the ipad.

I have tried with a different HDD and the same situation, it is not being seen by the Ipad.

Are they any size specifics ?

Are they any file format specifics ?

Should I format the HDD under different file format ?

iPad Pro, iPadOS 13

Posted on May 11, 2020 6:05 AM

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User profile for user: LotusPilot
LotusPilot
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
295,136 points

Posted on May 11, 2020 6:50 AM

The first and most obvious source of difficulty will be the device format. NTFS, a Microsoft-proprietary format, is not supported by iOS/iPadOS.


Compatibility with iPad requires external storage devices to have only a single data partition - and be formatted as FAT32, exFAT or APFS.


You also need to provide adequate power for the external storage device - as, with the exception of very low power devices, the iPad cannot directly supply sufficient power to the external device. If the storage device is not self-powered, then connection of the iPad USB connection and the storage device to a powered USB hub should suffice.

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User profile for user: LotusPilot
LotusPilot
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
295,136 points

May 11, 2020 6:50 AM in response to teotutulan

The first and most obvious source of difficulty will be the device format. NTFS, a Microsoft-proprietary format, is not supported by iOS/iPadOS.


Compatibility with iPad requires external storage devices to have only a single data partition - and be formatted as FAT32, exFAT or APFS.


You also need to provide adequate power for the external storage device - as, with the exception of very low power devices, the iPad cannot directly supply sufficient power to the external device. If the storage device is not self-powered, then connection of the iPad USB connection and the storage device to a powered USB hub should suffice.

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External HDD

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