iPad Pro can’t properly read 8TB SanDisk SSD

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Level 1

4 points

iPad Pro can’t properly read 8TB SanDisk SSD

Hey folks, I’m having an ongoing issue with my external SSD and iPad Pro, and I’m at my wits’ end. Maybe someone here has a clue.

I recently bought an 8TB SanDisk Extreme SSD (exFAT formatted) to use as a portable media library. It works perfectly fine on my Windows PC – I can transfer large files (mostly movies, a few GB each), browse folders, and play content with no issues.

But when I disconnect the drive and plug it into my iPad Pro (12.9” 4th gen), the drive is recognized, and some folders show up just fine, but others give me errors like “Content unavailable” or “Cannot open folder” in the native Files app. It seems totally random, but mostly affects newer files I’ve just copied over.

Here’s what I’ve already tried:

Reformatted the SSD to exFAT (quick format)
Ran a disk scan on Windows – it found and fixed some minor bitmap issues
Changed cables (including an official Apple USB-C-to-C)
Used a powered USB-C hub (Anker, with external power supply)
Simplified folder and file names (just in case the path depth or characters were the problem)
Checked the drive with tools like CrystalDiskInfo and GSmartControl (SMART not supported, but no physical errors shown)

Still, same issue: works fine on PC, random folders fail on iPad and iPhone. A smaller 1TB HDD I used to have worked flawlessly. Even a 4TB SSD had similar problems.

Any tips or shared experiences would be super appreciated. Thanks in advance!

iPad Pro, iPadOS 18

Posted on May 11, 2025 4:28 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LotusPilot

Community+ 2025

Level 10

301,856 points

May 11, 2025 8:02 AM in response to Nicqq

Consider reformatting the SSD using the iPad.

First, ensure that you have saved any files that you wish to keep elsewhere. Then, using the Files App, find the SSD in the Files App sidebar (as illustrated in your screenshot) - then touch-and-hold the SSD icon to expose the associated Action Menu. Select Erase.

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Answer 2

WheelieNick

Level 8

45,893 points

May 11, 2025 5:41 AM in response to Nicqq

Have you tried to format the disk to another format?

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Answer 3

Uraratan

Level 1

12 points

Jun 1, 2025 12:57 PM in response to Nicqq

crucial x6 2tb works fine ,

but now when i have an ugreen nvme to usb4 enclosure with xpg gaming s70 8tb i have this problem ,

it reads half of it and i only have <4tb copied, i also tried acasis tbu405plus but same problem,

i first created partition on pc then re format it as exfat on ipad, i am sad apple is so limited with this, i mean we live in 2025, cmon apple fix it

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Answer 4

Jun 2, 2025 4:13 AM in response to Uraratan

Uraratan wrote:

crucial x6 2tb works fine ,

but now when i have an ugreen nvme to usb4 enclosure with xpg gaming s70 8tb i have this problem ,

it reads half of it and i only have <4tb copied, i also tried acasis tbu405plus but same problem,

i first created partition on pc then re format it as exfat on ipad, i am sad apple is so limited with this, i mean we live in 2025, cmon apple fix it

Please understand that contributors here are all end-users, just like you. Other than the site Moderators, Apple neither monitor nor participate here. As such, if you hope to reach Apple through these forums, or for Apple's Developers to see your comments posted here, you will be disappointed.

Apple invite submission of comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback portal. If you would like to see a specific feature or functionality in a future version of iPadOS, this would be the most appropriate channel through which to make a request:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

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