I’m trying to connect a flash drive (usb) to an iPad with a lightning to usb cable. In Files it comes up once and stays for a minute or so then disappears. During that minute I can play some music which is on the flash drive so it can actually see it. Then the message comes up This accessory is not supported by this iPad. And in the locations in Files it goes. Anyone had this? Any ideas?
iPad, iPadOS 15
If your iPad has a Lightning port, to connect USB storage or other USB accessories, you will need an Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A
Don’t be confused by the name of this Adapter - as it is the key to connecting many USB devices to your iPad. The adapter incorporates the essential USB Controller/Root Hub that interfaces USB accessories to your iPad’s Lightning port.
More information can be found in the iPad User Guide - along with other frequently overlooked information about your iPad and iPadOS:
Connect external storage devices to iPad - Apple Support
To be recognised by iPadOS, the attached USB storage device must be formatted to FAT, FAT32, exFAT, APFS or HFS+ with a single partition. Microsoft NTFS and other proprietary device formatting are 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.
When connecting USB storage to the Camera Adapter, ensure that you also connect your iPad Power Adapter - as many USB storage devices require more power than the iPad can source from its Lightning port.
If your iPad has a Lightning port, to connect USB storage or other USB accessories, you will need an Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A
Don’t be confused by the name of this Adapter - as it is the key to connecting many USB devices to your iPad. The adapter incorporates the essential USB Controller/Root Hub that interfaces USB accessories to your iPad’s Lightning port.
More information can be found in the iPad User Guide - along with other frequently overlooked information about your iPad and iPadOS:
Connect external storage devices to iPad - Apple Support
To be recognised by iPadOS, the attached USB storage device must be formatted to FAT, FAT32, exFAT, APFS or HFS+ with a single partition. Microsoft NTFS and other proprietary device formatting are 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.
When connecting USB storage to the Camera Adapter, ensure that you also connect your iPad Power Adapter - as many USB storage devices require more power than the iPad can source from its Lightning port.
Thanks for that. Very helpful. The key seems to be that the Apple adaprer contains a USB controller ans is not just a dumb device.
Absolutely correct.
Without the adapter, the iPad lacks the USB Root Hub/Controller, these hardware elements being elements of the Camera Adapter.
Connecting flash drive to ipad
