I would like to use the new feature in iPadOS Files app to transfer files to/from USB thumb drive on my new iPad Pro with USBC. What hardware/adapter/dongle is required?
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Gene H
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How Do You Use the New iPadOS File Transfer To USB Feature?
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It depends on which iPad you have, and what type of USB drive you have. The newer iPad Pros have a USB-C, which it sounds like you have. So if you have one of those, and a USB-C drive, then just plug it in. That's the best case and probably looking toward the future, the one that will dominate.
But if you have an older USB-A drive, then you'll need to get an adapter so you can plug it into USB-C. It could be cheaper to just get a USB-C drive. I bought one pretty cheaply recently that has USB-C on one end and USB-A on the other.
If you have an iPad with a lightning port, then you need a USB to lightning adapter. I think in most cases you need the powered one, as you need to add power because the lightning ports don't have enough for some (all?) USB drives.
This one is from Apple. But you may find others that are cheaper:
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK0W2AM/A/lightning-to-usb-3-camera-adapter
I’ve watched several YouTube videos demonstrating the use of various drives as a way to transfer files. Most drives worked, but some did not. In some instances, it seemed the external drive was not receiving enough power. Other instances where it did not work was when the format of the external drive was not compatible with the iPad. I have yet to try it, but will search for a purchase of an external drive that has been shown to work.