How to transfer files to IPad

There are a few special storage devices for mobile devices. There are portable, bulit-in WiFi hotspot hard drives for mobile devices made by Western Digital and Seagate.

You use the drive makers’ specialised iOS app to use these types of wireless drives.

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=1330

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=1660

https://www.seagate.com/consumer/backup/wireless-plus/#features

There are special mobile lightning connected and built in WiFi Hot spot, USB flash drives made by SanDisk (now owned by Western Digital)

https://www.sandisk.com/home/mobile-device-storage/ixpand

https://www.sandisk.com/home/mobile-device-storage/ixpand-mini

https://www.sandisk.com/home/mobile-device-storage/connect-wireless-stick

http://www.adamelements.com/iKlips/iklips.html

This listing maybe incomplete and somewhat outdated, now. So do an online search for similar external data storage devices for iPads

Kingston Electronics makes some data storage devices for iPads/iDevices, now, too!

https://www.kingstongo.com/us/usb/datatraveler-bolt-duo-flash-drive-for-iphone

There are also, offsite, “cloud” remote data storage and sharing services, like DropBox, BOX, Google Drive, Amazon Cloud Drive services and other similar services for storing and exchanging data to and from iDevices from other computer sources.

Good Luck!

iPad might not be the best “everything” solution that you are looking for. It can do a lot - and do many things well - but it is rarely considered to be a complete laptop replacement. At the risk of starting lengthy discussion as to pros-and-cons, it is likely safe to say that iPad compliments rather than replaces a PC or Mac.

Moving files onto and off your iPad is heavily influenced by file compatibility with Apps installed theron. The iOS ecosystem is designed to facilitate file transfer with other computing platforms via Apple iTunes (installed on a ”trusted” computer), iCloud, or a number of other “supported” cloud-based services. For file transfer between Apple devices, AirDrop is widely supported. File transfer via an FTP Server is also possible - using an appropriate third-party App.

Limited support exists for direct connection of other devices for data transfer. Camera or data-cards can transfer data to iPad - providing that:

- the connected file system is a supported type (such as FAT32) and has data structured very specifically (the majority of cameras store images and videos in a defined folder structure). If data does not conform to the expected structure, iPad will not allow import.

- the device is connected using the correct/supported accessory (such as, for example, the Apple Lightning to USB or Lightning to SD Card reader).

iPad does not support direct connection to external USB Hard Disk drives - but does permit connection to some USB flash memory “thumb drives” - however, only those file types structured per iPads requirments can be accessed.

To take your example of directly importing either a PDF or text file from a thumb drive, for the reasons outlined above, this can be difficult.

LP

Some additional thoughts should you ever consider upgrading your current iPad to the latest 2018 iPad Pro:

Charge and connect with the USB-C port on the new iPad Pro - Apple Support

Many of the previously discussed caveats remain - but connectivity options are expanding.

LP

It is not certain or established whether common USB flash memory drives will now work with the new iPad Pro.