how to transfer PDF from iPad Pro to USB drive?

Question

Level 1

10 points

how to transfer PDF from iPad Pro to USB drive?

I am trying to decide with my next portable computer if I can go full iPad Pro and "do everything" that I usually do without a Laptop.

Turns out the one thing that I actually do frequently that I do not know how to do is to "transfer PDF from iPad Pro to USB drive".

It appears that the camera adaptor does not allow this functionality. And for some reason Apple doesn't make it easy to do this I don't understand why.

I know that there are many other ways to transfer files. Use a cloud service, airdrop, etc.

But for certain things that I need to do in my life I will be traveling for work and I will want to transfer PDF or MS Office files from my iPad Pro (or Laptop) to a USB thumb drive.

It appears that I am not certain if the SanDisk "wifi drive" or the SanDisk "lightening and USB drive" are just for backing up photos and videos or if they can actually allow me to transfer a single chosen PDF file from an iPad Pro to a Thumb drive.

Honestly if I can't do this one thing then I would need to also travel with a laptop which defeats the purpose of going with an iPad Pro.

Thanks!

Posted on Jan 24, 2017 6:09 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 7, 2017 3:36 AM in response to ProfessorP

Hi

i bought a sandisk wifi hoping it would transfer files. but hélas it only transfers media from an iPad. i have an android phone though. And i was able to take screenshots of the PDF documents, but that's about it. I haven't yet discovered a workaround with third party software. And the advice of other softwares listed here don't solve the problem.

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Answer 2

rccharles

Level 6

13,037 points

Feb 15, 2017 11:43 AM in response to panchososa694

There are ios apps out there that do have a file system.

File Manager is a FREE file manager and virtual USB drive for the iPhone and iPad. Easily view images, audio, videos, PDF documents, Word documents, Excel documents, ZIP/RAR files and more.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/file-manager-free/id479295290?mt=8

Read, listen, view, annotate almost anything you want on your iPad and iPhone. Files, documents, books, any content is at home in Documents by Readdle.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/documents-5-file-manager-pdf/id364901807?mt=8

Anyway, the poster wasn't looking for a file system.

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Answer 3

rccharles

Level 6

13,037 points

Jan 24, 2017 11:11 AM in response to ProfessorP

In general, you need an app out of the app store for that device and a wifi / usb combo device.

Buy one of these devices and buy the ipad. You have fourteen days to return it. Visit an app store and ask for a demo.

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

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

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

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

The app get some bad reviews. Turns out there is a cheap imitation product that didn't develop their own software and parasites of of PhotoFast's software. Could be the folks using the imitation product are complaining.

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Answer 4

ProfessorP Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 24, 2017 5:26 PM in response to rccharles

Thanks so much for posting all that stuff!

May I ask have you tried any of those many solutions for downloading a PDF or MS Office file from an iPad onto a USB thumb drive?

I ask because I took the time to read through all of them, and read some of the reviews, and from that I had the impression that none of those many options will allow me to upload and download a PDF or MS Office file to and from an iPad and a USB.

This is one specific thing that I would really need to be able to do in order to buy and iPad Pro and not have to also carry a laptop with me when I travel.

It seemed like either the product would only download "photos, videos, and music" from official apple apps, or the product requires an app that has not been updated for a while, or the product description was vague and there was a review that said that the product will not work for files that are not "photos, videos, and music" from official apple apps.

Does anyone upload and download PDF or MS Office file from an iPad onto a USB thumb drive in your work? If so how do you do it? which solution do you use? Thanks!

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Answer 5

rccharles

Level 6

13,037 points

Jan 24, 2017 7:20 PM in response to ProfessorP

I have not tried.

ScanDisk looks promising.

I'd ask the question here.

http://support.sandisk.com/

scandisk wireless.

https://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17526

see user guide here:

https://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17367/

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Answer 6

Feb 14, 2017 11:24 PM in response to ProfessorP

iOS doesn't have a user manageable file system that is necessary to do what you need. There are other options on the market that offer the functionality you seek such as Android tablets and surface tablets.

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Answer 7

Feb 15, 2017 2:49 PM in response to rccharles

He wasn't looking for a file system, but it's kinda necessary to control and manipulate files as he stated he needs to be able to do. Third party software is a work around, not a solution. Especially for a product that already costs so much.

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Answer 8

rccharles

Level 6

13,037 points

Feb 16, 2017 11:05 AM in response to panchososa694

Well, I guess the poster was.

R

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