Can the SanDisk 128GB Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C (advertised for sale on the Apple website be used with the iPad Air (4th Generation)? Is it compatible for use without fussy technological pairing in order to use it? (The device menu does not show a 4th generation iPad Air, so I've had to opt for an iPad Air three.)
Many thanks for any help.
iPad Air 3 Wi-Fi
Not having access to this specific device, I cannot provide you with a definitive answer. If I were to do so - and you were to experience difficulties - you might be quick to apportion blame for technical difficulties beyond my control.
That said, speaking of personal experience, I’m yet to purchase a “standard” USB thumb-drive of sensible capacity that is not factory-formatted to FAT32 - with a single data partition. The device you have identified simply appears to have both a USB Type-A connector and a USB-C connector. As such, I don’t foresee any issues with direct connection to your iPad Air4 - subject to the caveat of iPad being able to provide adequate power.
Some proprietary/encrypted thumb-drives may not be directly compatible without installation of a specific device driver or third-party App. The device that you have identified does not appear to fall in this category.
Large capacity SSD drives that use USB, may be a different proposition; factory formatting and partitioning may not be directly compatible with iPad’s limited support.
To conclude, perhaps your question should be restructured; “Is the Sandisk drive compatible with your iPad4? If you you remain uncertain, and require a definitive answer, perhaps you should redirect your question to Sandisk Technical Support.
Not having access to this specific device, I cannot provide you with a definitive answer. If I were to do so - and you were to experience difficulties - you might be quick to apportion blame for technical difficulties beyond my control.
That said, speaking of personal experience, I’m yet to purchase a “standard” USB thumb-drive of sensible capacity that is not factory-formatted to FAT32 - with a single data partition. The device you have identified simply appears to have both a USB Type-A connector and a USB-C connector. As such, I don’t foresee any issues with direct connection to your iPad Air4 - subject to the caveat of iPad being able to provide adequate power.
Some proprietary/encrypted thumb-drives may not be directly compatible without installation of a specific device driver or third-party App. The device that you have identified does not appear to fall in this category.
Large capacity SSD drives that use USB, may be a different proposition; factory formatting and partitioning may not be directly compatible with iPad’s limited support.
To conclude, perhaps your question should be restructured; “Is the Sandisk drive compatible with your iPad4? If you you remain uncertain, and require a definitive answer, perhaps you should redirect your question to Sandisk Technical Support.
To be recognised by iPadOS, the attached USB storage device must be formatted to FAT, FAT32, exFAT or APFS with a single partition. As the iPad has limited power capabilities, dependent upon the Storage Device, an external power source is often required.
The majority of USB thumb-stick storage devices, such as Sandisk, are factory-formatted to FAT32.
If your iPad Pro has a Lightning port, you will need to use an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter to directly connect USB devices to the iPad. This adapter has both a USB 3.0 Type-A connector and an additional Lightning port to supply power, from your charger, to both the iPad and connected device. The external charger must be rated at 12W or more.
If you have one of the newest iPad Pro models, with a USB-C connector, you may need to utilise a powered USB hub (i.e., it has its own source of power) - connecting both the iPad Pro and the storage device to ports on the hub.
I hope this is helpful.
This Sandisk model is compatible with iPad Air 4th generation:-->https://shop.westerndigital.com/products/usb-flash-drives/sandisk-ultra-dual-drive-m30-usb-3-1-type-c#SDDDC2-016G-A46
Regards
Giulio
Thanks very much for the detailed response, Lotus Pilot.
My particular question was in relation to the iPad Air (4th Generation), and, reading somewhere between the lines of what you've written, I am taking it that I will perhaps not have to format the SanDisk drive because it will already be formatted to FAT32. (the word "majority" however leaves me in some doubt - and the SanDisk website lists various Apple devices which are compatible with it, but the iPad or iPad Air are not listed). And if I do, we are into partitions (whatever they are)...
As so often in these matters, there is still the doubt.
Thanks nevertheless.
Thanks again very much for your help – and I certainly don't hold anyone responsible for uncertainties; I'm the only one responsible for what I buy.
Having said that, it does seem to me a bizarre situation we've got ourselves into with all this technology when there seems to be no straightforward answers to what seemed to be pretty straightforward questions – and dealing with a major company like Apple.
I have already sent an email enquiry to SanDisk, but again it seems bizarre that iPads are not listed anywhere in the compatible machines for this thumb-drive. (I anticipate their answer will be inconclusive as well.)
I can only imagine why this is the case; perhaps there is a very good reason, but I can't imagine why, if we can land on the moon, we can't make it clear whether things are or are not compatible for use.
Very best regards to you.
Many thanks.
You are most welcome
Giulio
IS iPad Air (4th Generation) compatible with SanDisk drive
