Backup photos directly to storage without computer

[Aerdon]

Hi, I'm looking for a way to transfer data off of my SD card while I'm in the field without a laptop. I don't have enough storage on my iPad. I had looked into the WD My Passport Wireless Pro and noticed that these are mostly on clearance and being phased out. I don't want to purchase something that is about to be outdated or have dropped support. Does anyone else have a solution? Thanks in advance!

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

I think you’d be taking risks with that situation, unless you have enough storage to temporarily offload from SD to iPad, then connect your external drive and transfer from iPad to external drive. Why not just swap SD cards and get a card wallet until you can get back to base?

 

[NoBoMac]

I don't have my iPad near by, so can't test, but, believe with the Files app and appropriate (powered) dongle, Files should be able to see multiple USB drives and copy items between them.

I know I've seen some websites showing wild combinations of devices plugged into an iPad when the new version of Files came out (this cabled to that which went to some other thing and all visible).

 

[BrianBaughn]

I've seen on YouTube where someone used, with an Android phone, an external hub/card reader, external battery and a regular external USB drive to do this.

If there's an equivalent lightning-based hub and the Files app or some other app can handle the transfer you'll probably see someone with the setup on YouTube.

The Gnarbox 2 is the one-step pricey solution.

 

[MCAsan]

Use a multiple port dongle to connect a card read and an external drive such as an SSD. Use Files app in iPad to copy images to SSD.

 

[mackmgg]

I’ve got a My Passport Wireless SSD, and it’s been pretty great. You get less storage for the price with the SSD version, but it can withstand drops without damage which was worth it for me. Otherwise they’re pretty much the same thing. Just pop the SD card in and it automatically copies everything from it without needing a phone/tablet to be on. Then you can easily pull the photos you want onto the iPad with either WD’s app or the Files app.

 

[robgendreau]

I like the My Passport Wireless as well. Great bit of kit. Allows preview of raw files. Works on one’s LAN, or as USB attached storage. Easy peasy and as you say, dropping in price.

 

[steveash]

The LaCie DJI Copilot should do what you need. Despite the name it isn’t just for drones.

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

If you use a Samsung T5 or G-Drive type SSD, it can be plugged through a multi input USB hub to a dongle (Lightning or USB-C) so the process is powered. This is all connected to your iPad's Lightning or USB-C port by the dongle which needs the USB hub & a power source plugged into it. Works for me to transfer 8K video from my 360 camera to my portable SSD's for instant & quick backups via the Files app of my iPad Pro with Lightning connector.

 

[Aerdon]

Use a multiple port dongle to connect a card read and an external drive such as an SSD. Use Files app in iPad to copy images to SSD.

Thank you!! This worked with a USB-C hub with SD Card reader and SSD drive I already had!
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Thanks everyone! These suggestions are all great. I found that I had everything I needed to transfer the files from the SD card to an SSD drive using my iPad in the middle. And this also allows me to edit photos on my iPad while I'm away from home.