SD Card and IPad
I’m trying to use a SD card to video tape thieves. Does iPad have a way to read a SD card? Seems like it can’t format a SD card but can it read a formatted FAT32 SD card? Thank you
iPad, iPadOS 16
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Your iPad can access SD Cards using an appropriate adapter. Apple market both a Lightning and USB-C version - you will obviously require the version that matches your iPad connector.
- Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MJYT2ZM/A
- USB-C to SD Card Reader
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MUFG2ZM/A
As an alternative, you might instead use a commercial SD Card reader that presents a standard USB connection - and use an appropriate USB adapter or hub to make connection to the iPad.
- Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A
- USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MUF82ZM/A
Using these Apple adapters in preference to the SD Card reader version offers the advantage of being able to simultaneously connect your iPad Power Adapter - removing sole reliance upon the iPad battery during large file transfers.
As you correctly observe, the iPad has no facility to format external storage media or devices. If formatting is required, you’ll need to use a suitable computer; most cameras will optimally format the SD Card as FAT, FAT32 or exFAT (as determined by the SD Card size).