I see a recommendation on this forum to format the drive to GUID and APFSa, but I also see online that this drive is pre-formatted with exFAT, which is compatible with macOS and Windows. Is it necessary to reformat? Recommended? Or can I just leave it as is and use both my IPAD and Android devices. The IPAD guide also says the exFAT is fine. I'm going on a trip to a remote area and want to be sure I can make backups from my devices.
iPad Pro, iPadOS 17
While the Samsung T7 filesystem is technically accessible to your iPad when correctly formatted - the difficulty that you will encounter with the T7 is with the "Touch" fingerprint reader that is not directly supported by iPadOS.
If you disable the T7's fingerprint reader while it is connected to a Windows PC or Mac computer, the T7 should then work without issue with your iPad.
When used with a Windows PC or Mac, the appropriate device-driver and configuration software for the T7 can be installed; the T7 can then be configured and its Touch security managed from the host computer.
By contrast, iOS/iPadOS does not support direct installation of third-party device driver software. The only supported method to install third-party device driver software is via a manufacturer-supplied App. As Samsung does not provide an App to manage the T7 on iPad, its proprietary touch security cannot be configured by the iPad.
You should note that Samsung's product specifications and associated literature do not state or imply any compatibility with Apple iOS/iPadOS.
While the Samsung T7 filesystem is technically accessible to your iPad when correctly formatted - the difficulty that you will encounter with the T7 is with the "Touch" fingerprint reader that is not directly supported by iPadOS.
If you disable the T7's fingerprint reader while it is connected to a Windows PC or Mac computer, the T7 should then work without issue with your iPad.
When used with a Windows PC or Mac, the appropriate device-driver and configuration software for the T7 can be installed; the T7 can then be configured and its Touch security managed from the host computer.
By contrast, iOS/iPadOS does not support direct installation of third-party device driver software. The only supported method to install third-party device driver software is via a manufacturer-supplied App. As Samsung does not provide an App to manage the T7 on iPad, its proprietary touch security cannot be configured by the iPad.
You should note that Samsung's product specifications and associated literature do not state or imply any compatibility with Apple iOS/iPadOS.
Plug the drive into the iPad to see if you can access it's file system. If it works, then no need to format the drive again.
I have multiple SSDs formatted in exFAT and they work fine on both my Windows and Mac computers as well as my iPads. I don't use Android devices so I can't comment on that.
You are correct in that the drive may need to be externally powered to access it on the iPad. Some drives may need more power than the iPad is able to provide on it's own. In that case, you'd need a powered USB hub.
Do an Amazon search for "powered USB hub" for many results for around $30. I personally use this one.
Before purchasing a hub though, I would first backup the drive if you have the means, then reformat it in exFAT and copy your backup back to the drive and see if you can access the files on it.
Personally for myself, none of the external SSDs I own need a powered hub for use with the iPad. They operate plugged directly into the iPad.
Maybe the fingerprint reader on the Touch SSD requires more power for it's capabilities...I really can't comment on that.
when I plug the SSD into my MacBook Pro, I can access it. when I plug it into my IPAD I can't find it under the files app. I initially thought that perhaps the IPAD wasn't supplying power to it, but the Mac did through the same cord. And if I plug in a different drive to my IPAD - a WD elements - I can access it in the Files app on my IPAD.
Am I right in interpreting that this means I need to reformat it for my IPAD? Darn - I was hoping to have dual access to both systems. thanks for your help
formatting Samsung T7 Touch SSD for IPAD
