Files doesn't recognize flash drive

Question

Level 1

9 points

Files doesn't recognize flash drive

I have a flash drive I got from Amazon, that has a built in lightning connector to connect directly to the ipad. The app that goes along with it works fine to transfer photos, but I can't get "Files" to recognize the flash drive and list it under "Locations," so that I can copy files to it! The drive is formatted to exFAT like it's supposed to be. My Ipad is updated, also. I tried restarting the ipad, and that didn't work either. It's only a little flash drive, so it doesn't need an external power source. When I did an internet search, some websites said there's supposed to be a tab for "more locations" under "Locations," but I don't see that on my iPad. I have a regular ipad, 7th generation that came out last year, not the ipad pro.

iPad, iPadOS 14

Posted on Dec 9, 2020 11:35 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LotusPilot

Community+ 2024

Level 10

289,436 points

Dec 14, 2020 6:42 AM in response to constance146

Flash Drives that use a Lightning connector are manufacturer proprietary - and require support via a companion App. Unless the App is explicitly coded by the Developer to integrate with the native Files App, the drive will not be visible via the Files Locations tab.

Whilst I can offer no guarantee of success, you may find that one of the better third-party file management Apps may provide a “bridge” to the native Files App.

One App that may be useful in this regard is FileBrowser - Document Manager:

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/filebrowser-document-manager/id364738545

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 14, 2020 11:26 AM in response to constance146

Flash Drives that use a Lightning connector are manufacturer proprietary - and require support via a companion App.

Unless the App is explicitly coded by the Developer to integrate with the native Files App, the drive will not be visible via the Files Locations tab.

Reply

Answer 3

alma1090

Community Specialist

Dec 14, 2020 6:32 AM in response to constance146

Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities, constance146!

We understand you're not able to see a connected flash drive on your iPad. We'd be happy to provide information to help you address this.

As a test, are you able to see any other connected flash drives? You can also try formatting the flash drive to the other compatible formats in the article: Use the Files app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

As for the "more locations" option, this would appear if you are signed in to other cloud storage options, for example, OneDrive or Google Drive and for servers you connect to.

Let us know the results.

Have a great day!

Reply

Answer 4

Dec 14, 2020 10:32 AM in response to constance146

NTSC is a television broadcast standard.

NTFS is a Microsoft-proprietary filesystem format, this is definitely not compatible with iOS/iPadOS. exFAT is relatively universal - and is supported by your iPad.

Reply

Answer 5

constance146 Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 14, 2020 10:24 AM in response to alma1090

This is the only drive I have that has the proper connector to hook up to my iPad. So I haven't tried any others. As far as formatting, the only formats my computer will let me do is exFAT and NTSC.

Reply

Answer 6

constance146 Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 14, 2020 10:29 AM in response to LotusPilot

Oh, this is too bad. I tried to find a third-party app, but so far I couldn't find any good ones. I prefer free ones, though.

Reply

Answer 7

constance146 Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 14, 2020 11:17 AM in response to LotusPilot

Sorry, I messed up the letters. I formatted this drive to exFAT, but it still doesn't show up in Files. Are there any flash drives with the built in lightning connectors that do show up?

Reply