iPad air does not recognize i usb storer

There are a lot of fly by night outfits out there. You must have found one. A direct connection could be blocked by apple in the future. It's best to go with a combination wife - usb device.

Some examples:

Airstash
"Easily access, transfer, and stream your files from AirStash® – the pocketable wireless flash drive for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch! This app requires an AirStash device in order to work. View, import & export photos, wirelessly stream videos, music & podcasts, and view documents stored on your AirStash. AirStash+ is an enhanced alternative to the built-in web interface adding features only possible with a native app."
http://www.airstash.com/

SanDisk
" SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick is the flash drive reinvented to work with both your computer and your mobile devices."https://www.sandisk.com/home/mobile-device-storage/connect-wireless-stick

Seagate Wireless portable hard drive
"The new 500GB Seagate Wireless portable hard drive is the company's latest HD designed specifically for use with tablets and smartphones like Apple's iPad and iPhone."
http://www.macrumors.com/2015/01/04/seagate-ces-2015-new-products/

Allows you to access your own sd card and usb device

http://www.amazon.com/Dane-Elec-Media-Streamer-Mobile-Junkie/dp/B00IA8LLUW

suggested by seeblue

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3516024

Camouflage data files as a raw image.
read files from a flash drivehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5f1VmjjczQ

Kingston Digital MobileLite Wireless Flash Reader for Smartphones and Tablets (MLW221)
Kingston Digital MobileLite Wireless Flash Reader for Smartphones and Tablets (MLW221)

CloudFTP
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/danielchin/cloudftp-wirelessly-share-any-us b-storage-with-ipa

https://www.amazon.com/HyperDrive-iUSBport-CloudFTP-Storage-Wireless/dp/B008U9GS 18

FlashAir™ II Wireless SD Card series

--Share photos & videos wirelessly

--Capacity 16GB

--Supports simultaneous access from up to seven devices

http://us.toshiba.com/accessories/wireless-sd/16gb/class-10/PFW016U-1CCW

Photofast's iFlash Drive
Here is a nice adapter. You can move data in both directions! Be sure to get the real thing.
http://www.photofast.com

review:
http://www.macworld.com/article/2036911/review-i-flashdrive-hd-a-flash-drive-for -ipads-iphones-and-laptops.html

Here is the ios app:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/i-flashdrive-hd/id525386291?mt=8

K1lted wrote:

{edited for length}

I have found the solution, which was simply a different app, namely "iSmart Access". That this community could not answer such a simple question is almost as much of a disappointment as the fact that I had to ask it in the first place.

It sounds like the solution was from the company that produced the hardware. You asked something from this community of volunteers who have a bit of familiarity with the products from one company. Speaking for everyone here, we are very happy that you were able to find a solution where the solution originates.

I'd like to know which specific device and APP that you used to solve this issue, e.g. getting an iPad/iPhone to recognize a USB flash drive to allow transfer of files. I searched for "iSmart Access" and didn't see anything that provided that sort of access. Thanks.

Considering that iOS does not have any sort of file management system, I think it's more than fair to say that it's not designed to do exactly what it is you're trying to do. If you want file management and actual control over the devices management of your data, then you chose the wrong platform.

iOS doesn't, nor has it ever had a file management/manipulation system so data transfer other than syncing or "sharing" using the cloud is not what the device is designed for. If you expect that sort of control from your device, you've chosen the wrong platform.

I don't know the specificies any more than you, but there are devices that meet the requirements.

In general, this devices provide a usb connection to computer and a wifi connections to an ipad with an app to access the data.

examples.

Airstash
"Easily access, transfer, and stream your files from AirStash® – the pocketable wireless flash drive for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch! This app requires an AirStash device in order to work. View, import & export photos, wirelessly stream videos, music & podcasts, and view documents stored on your AirStash. AirStash+ is an enhanced alternative to the built-in web interface adding features only possible with a native app."
http://www.airstash.com/

SanDisk
" SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick is the flash drive reinvented to work with both your computer and your mobile devices."https://www.sandisk.com/home/mobile-device-storage/connect-wireless-stick

Kingston Digital MobileLite Wireless Flash Reader for Smartphones and Tablets (MLW221)
Kingston Digital MobileLite Wireless Flash Reader for Smartphones and Tablets (MLW221)

For a number of solution to your problem, please read how do i tranfer files from pc to iPad

It's not "designed" to do what you're trying to do.

My crystal ball is in the shop so I had to rely on what info you provided in your post. You never revealed what device you had which makes it difficult to provided precise instructions.

R