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iPad connectivity to external HDD

I’ve iPad Pro M1. I’ve been trying to connect my passport WD 2TB HDD via OTG cable with no luck. The hard disk is turning on, the light is lit and I can feel the vibrations. Yet not showing in the locations column of files app. The hard disk is formatted in exFAT format. I’ve restarted my iPad, updated it to iPad OS 15.5, no luck. I’m able to connect the hard disk with the same OTG to my android phone and I’m getting access there, so that essentially rules out the problem with the cable and OTG. Is there anything basic that I’m missing? Please let me know what to do.

Thank you!

iPad Pro, iPadOS 15

Posted on Jun 21, 2022 6:12 PM

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LotusPilot

Community+ 2024

Level 10

289,388 points

Posted on Jun 22, 2022 3:55 AM

Unlike solid-state drives, Hard Disk (HDD) drives are notoriously power hungry. As such your iPad may be unable to provide adequate power to run the HDD. Unless the HDD is self-powered, you would be best advised to use an appropriate adapter, or hub, to provide power to the USB drive.

If your iPad has a Lightning port, you will require an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter - to which you will connect your HDD (via the USB port) and a Power Adapter rated at least 12W.

Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter

https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A

If instead you have a recent model iPad, equipped with a USB-C port, a USB-C hub supporting USB-PD (Power Delivery) is recommended. Again, you’ll connect your HDD to the hub - and also connect a USB-PD compliant Power Adapter to the hub’s PD port.

iPad’s with a USB-C port are supplied with a suitable power adapter rated at 20W - although a Power Adapter with a higher rating may be beneficial.

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iPad connectivity to external HDD

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