Fix for iPadOS Files App - corrupting files copied to USB Disk

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Fix for iPadOS Files App - corrupting files copied to USB Disk

Has anyone else found this problem? That the iPadOS Files App corrupts files, or at least image files (jpg, HEIC), when copying to a FAT32 external USB drive. See link to Stack Exchange validation of the bug. I am trying to recover 100GB of photos from an iPad Pro for someone who wants them on a Windows PC. About 1 in every 10 image files is corrupt. I have tried copying from Photos to a folder on the iPad, and then copying that folder to the USB drive. Same problem. This is really an astoundingly basic bug in a Files App.

Has anyone found a solution other than as suggested in the attached link. Namely, buy a file manager App that works from a 3rd party.

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/401720/ipados-is-corrupting-files-when-copying-from-to-an-external-drive

iPad Pro 12.9-inch, 3rd Gen, Wi-Fi

Posted on Mar 4, 2021 5:38 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 5, 2021 8:48 AM in response to rjp123

You are not the first to complain of the Files App seemingly corrupting multi-file transfers from iPad to external storage.

The built-in Files App is a basic File Manager - with limited utility that may be adequate for many needs. There are many significantly more robust File Manager Apps that are known to reliably transfer multiple files between iPad and external storage solutions.

One example that is well known with good reputation is File Browser - Document Manager - and its more advanced File Browser for Business:

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

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/filebrowser-for-business/id854618029

The latter can be purchased as a bundle, with the former, for no additional cost.

Whilst I understand your potential desire for a native solution, I would personally recommend that you simply accept a better alternative.

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Answer 2

rjp123 Author

Level 1

91 points

Mar 5, 2021 2:38 PM in response to LotusPilot

Thanks for confirming the problem, and solution. It was hard to believe a file manager getting something so basic wrong. For the moment I may have solved my immediate problem by reformatting the stick as exFAT. It was brand new, formatted FAT32. I needed the iPad owner's Apple password to install a new file manager, and couldn't contact them immediately, so thought I'd try the reformat first. Seems to be copying without corrupting - about 3000 images and videos so far.

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Fix for iPadOS Files App - corrupting files copied to USB Disk

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