formatting an external SSD for iPad and Mac

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Level 1

8 points

formatting an external SSD for iPad and Mac

Every comment or article about external storage for iPad says only mentions that there can only be one partition without defining the limits under APFS. One APFS partition is a container, but a container can hold multiple volumes.

A one container, multiple volumes SSD is connected to an iPad. Will iPadOS 15:

A. Not mount anything.

B. Mount only one volume. (If this, any specific ordering or sizing?)

C. Mount multiple volumes (Any known limits? Would it mount a volume group?)

iPad Pro, 14

Posted on Dec 28, 2021 3:14 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

MichelPM

Level 10

80,980 points

Dec 28, 2021 4:15 PM in response to The Hardcard

An external drive for use with any iOS/iPadOS 13 and later capable device can ONLY have one volume/partition. Period.

You must use a full Mac or Windows PC computer to do the re-formatting of any external drive to use with iPad/iPhone/iOS/iPadOS.

My experiences have recommended that any external drive needing to be used with ANY Apple iPadOS device really needs to be formatted on an Apple Mac computer to ensure/insure correct operation.

If NO Mac computer, find and family member or friend that owns a Mac to possibly help you format this drive

OR

You need to search online for your nearest, “local” Apple store location and call contact phone numbers and call to make an appointment to ANY external drive you have properly format by Apple employees who have access to a Mac.

They will be glad to assist you.

In addition, the external drive needs to be formatted using a single data drive partition into one of these file/data formats below.

Apple Mac computer native drive formats - APFS ( Apple Proprietary File System ) OR Apple HFS+ ( Hierarchical File System+ )

Fat 32

exFAT

Apple Website external drive help links here below.

Tap the links below.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/ipad/ipad1c415e32/ipados

https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/external-storage-devices-ipad75b7b23f/14.0/ipados/14.0

Good Luck to You!

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Answer 2

The Hardcard Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 30, 2021 2:58 PM in response to The Hardcard

New information. I have acquired and set up my external SSDs. iPadOS 15 can mount multiple containers and multiple volumes under APFS.

Total parameters of my success:

Two separate Samsung 1 TB T7s formatted in Monterey 12.0.1on an M1 Max MacBook Pro.

Both multi container and multi volume APFS drives mounted all volumes on two separate iPad Pros running 15.1. Model numbers A2014 and A2379.

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Answer 3

MichelPM

Level 10

80,980 points

Dec 28, 2021 4:18 PM in response to The Hardcard

Also,

Can you, please, confirm what year and model iPad do you have/own?

The “A” model number can be found on the aluminium back of your iPad, in very small print, right under the larger bold print “iPad” on the back of the iPad.

What iOS/iPadOS version is this iPad, currently, running?

Does your iPad use the Apple Lightning connection port or USB-C port?

Please try to make an attempt to answer all questions asked.

Thank You.

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Answer 4

The Hardcard Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 31, 2021 4:31 AM in response to MichelPM

Yes. I had several files to move in both directions and dispersed them between five volumes in two containers simultaneously. Mac to iPad and iPad to Mac functioned normally.

I did the containers just out of curiosity, my current setup is three volumes in one container, with one encrypted. Working flawlessly.

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Answer 5

MichelPM

Level 10

80,980 points

Dec 30, 2021 4:04 PM in response to The Hardcard

The iPad may have mounted them, but can you actually accesss them and transfer the data from these multiple volumes/partitions?

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formatting an external SSD for iPad and Mac

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