Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

External hard drive for ipad /icloud

I need to back up my iPad to a hard drive. Can I just use my charging cord in a hard drive that has a normal USB port? Also my school notes App called Notability is starting to not work as well. It shows that the documents are loading with an iCloud symbol over it and take a very Long time to open. I still have a decent amount of iCloud storage so I am not sure why this is doing this and that is why I am getting a external hard drive. Please help

iPad (6th gen) WiFi

Posted on Sep 16, 2020 10:43 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 16, 2020 11:00 AM

No, the charging cable will not work. Depending on the iPad model you are using, this adapter may enable you to connect an external drive to your iPad. Also, be informed, that some external drives will need an external power source and the iPad may not be able to sufficiently power it.


Also, you may be to read and copy certain data from the external drive over to the iPad and maybe vice-versa. But, generally speaking, a backup of the iPad is not done this way.


To know more about connecting external devices to your iPad:

Connect external devices or servers with Files on iPad - Apple Support


To know more about back up:

Back up iPad - Apple Support


You mentioned iCloud storage. Verify that you have enough storage and that your app is setup to be able to upload/save data to iCloud. Also, be patient sometimes it does take time to complete the upload, depending on the speed of your internet connection, etc.

Manage your iCloud storage - Apple Support

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 16, 2020 11:00 AM in response to katyann241

No, the charging cable will not work. Depending on the iPad model you are using, this adapter may enable you to connect an external drive to your iPad. Also, be informed, that some external drives will need an external power source and the iPad may not be able to sufficiently power it.


Also, you may be to read and copy certain data from the external drive over to the iPad and maybe vice-versa. But, generally speaking, a backup of the iPad is not done this way.


To know more about connecting external devices to your iPad:

Connect external devices or servers with Files on iPad - Apple Support


To know more about back up:

Back up iPad - Apple Support


You mentioned iCloud storage. Verify that you have enough storage and that your app is setup to be able to upload/save data to iCloud. Also, be patient sometimes it does take time to complete the upload, depending on the speed of your internet connection, etc.

Manage your iCloud storage - Apple Support

External hard drive for ipad /icloud

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.