I need to connect a monitor and seagate hdd disk to my iPad Pro 5th gen with an M1 processor and
usb-c port. I don’t know anything about connecting via a hub so would appreciate and advice. The apple multiport adapter was my first choice but it may not work because it is not powered.
Thanks for any input.
The Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter can be externally powered - using the incorporated USB-C pass-through port.
There are many third-party USB Hubs that have a USB-C connection for iPad plus a USB-C PD (Power Delivery) pass-through power connector to which you can connect your USB-C Power Adapter - along with the hub itself incorporating a combination of additional USB-C ports, USB 2.0/3.1 Type-A ports, Ethernet LAN, HDMI, VGA, SD and microSD card-readers.
Perhaps consider Kingston, Anker, Hyperdrive and Satechi - although there are many others from which to choose. A Google Search for USB-C Hubs compatible with iPad will find a number of articles and recommendations.
Speaking of personal experience, the Kingston Nucleum has proven itself to be particularly flexible for connection of high power USB storage devices - featuring twin USB3.1 Type-A, downstream USB-C and SD/microSD card slots, HDMI, plus a power pass-through USB-C port that can accept +45W from a suitable USB power source.
If looking for an HDMI Adapter, be aware that very few USB-C HDMI adapters/hubs support HDCP 2.0 - absence of which will inhibit the ability to output copy-protected HD media content from iPad to a connected monitor/TV over an HDMI connection.
The Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter does support HDCP 2.0, but perhaps lacks some of the additional the flexibility afforded by some third-party USB-C hubs:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MUF82ZM/A
Note also that some iPad models that feature USB-C also support DisplayPort Alternate Mode over USB-C. This protocol allows direct connection, with an appropriate Thunderbolt cable, to a monitor that supports DisplayPort - removing the need for HDMI.
The Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter can be externally powered - using the incorporated USB-C pass-through port.
There are many third-party USB Hubs that have a USB-C connection for iPad plus a USB-C PD (Power Delivery) pass-through power connector to which you can connect your USB-C Power Adapter - along with the hub itself incorporating a combination of additional USB-C ports, USB 2.0/3.1 Type-A ports, Ethernet LAN, HDMI, VGA, SD and microSD card-readers.
Perhaps consider Kingston, Anker, Hyperdrive and Satechi - although there are many others from which to choose. A Google Search for USB-C Hubs compatible with iPad will find a number of articles and recommendations.
Speaking of personal experience, the Kingston Nucleum has proven itself to be particularly flexible for connection of high power USB storage devices - featuring twin USB3.1 Type-A, downstream USB-C and SD/microSD card slots, HDMI, plus a power pass-through USB-C port that can accept +45W from a suitable USB power source.
If looking for an HDMI Adapter, be aware that very few USB-C HDMI adapters/hubs support HDCP 2.0 - absence of which will inhibit the ability to output copy-protected HD media content from iPad to a connected monitor/TV over an HDMI connection.
The Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter does support HDCP 2.0, but perhaps lacks some of the additional the flexibility afforded by some third-party USB-C hubs:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MUF82ZM/A
Note also that some iPad models that feature USB-C also support DisplayPort Alternate Mode over USB-C. This protocol allows direct connection, with an appropriate Thunderbolt cable, to a monitor that supports DisplayPort - removing the need for HDMI.
Also consider that your HDD must be appropriately formatted.
To be recognised by iPadOS, the attached USB storage device must be formatted to FAT32, exFAT, APFS or HFS+ with a single partition. Microsoft NTFS is not supported. Formatting and partitioning, if required, must be performed using a separate computer; iPad does not provide any facilities to format an external storage device.
I recall you previous post related to connection of a Hard Disk Drive (HDD).
HDD drives are notoriously power-hungry - in particular during “spin-up” of the mechanical drive. HDDs often require more power than the iPad alone, or an “Adapter”, can provide. By contrast, Solid State Drives (SSD) generally have much lower power needs.
Wow, thank you so much. You have been a great help. I will try the apple digital AV multiport adapter. I thought based on your prior note I needed to look for a powered hub as the adapter might not have enough power. I am anxious to retrieve my home videos (after my imac hard drive became unreadable). And thank you again for hanging there with me.
Yes it is a seagate HDD drive. So maybe I need a different hub. I do have an apple keyboard and I can power my ipad overnight with the port on it so i can keep it plugged in while I use the adapter if that would work but I don’t want to harm my ipad in any way. Thanks for the reply. (I would not have an hdd except it has my family videos on it so at the moment I need it. )
Thanks - I think I’m OK but won’t know until I get my disk attached. I am going to try to get to an apple store. My daughter may be able to help me if I need to buy another disk to copy to then I will get an ssd drive. Appreciate all of your expertise.
You are very welcome. Feel free to return if you need any additional help.
What powered hub should I use for iPad Pro ?
