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iPad Help with external drive drag and drop to Google Drive

O

Okiediver

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 19, 2019
9
0
Oklahoma
I an trying to drag folders from an external drive into google drive on my ipad to recover some space using the files app. Are we not able to do this with the new software? I continually get this message "The operation cant be completed. Couldn't communicate with a helper application." What does this mean? I have searched and I haven't found anything!

Thanks for any input, I do not have a laptop--only the ipad.
 
AutomaticApple said:
I'm willing to bet that it's just a software bug with iOS 13. Are you running the GM?
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1568320140][/doublepost]GM? I did chat with Apple earlier and they wont help me since its 13. I have to go back to 12 to get help (which made me laugh since they don't have that in 12). Anyway, Im headed to Tahiti next week and take tons of pics so I really really need this but it sounds like Im out of luck. I have to wait until the 19th when the new software is out. Im nervous it wont work but I have no choice!
 
Odd. You mention drag and drop . . not sure if my method meets that requirement but here's what i just tested:

  • While on wifi, opened Files app.
  • Attached external storage via lightning to USB adapter, ensured I provided power to it as well.
  • Browsed to a folder with some photos on the USB drive. Picked SELECT from the upper right corner.
  • Checked off a handfull of files. Clicked on the MORE option on bottom right of screen and picked COPY.
  • Browsed to Google Drive storage.
  • Long pressed and created a folder. Went into it. Long pressed and picked PASTE.

Files were added, uploaded and show up on my PC when i browse to google drive via browser.
 
Muzzy are you on Ipad) vers 13.1?

So I went in and looked again today, they are moving over but they all have a red minus on them. See pic. Whether I pick one pic or the whole folder this is whats happening.
 
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I pulled this out again, and they are moving over to Google, but this is what they look like on my ipad when I go to location and select Google drive.

I guess Im not supposed to discuss the beta version--are you on the beta Muzzy? I was told no support until I get the normal update on Thursday. Im just headed to Tahiti on Thursday and Im nervous about having enough storage.
 

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Okiediver said:
Ok, well I keep getting that helper application error message. Maybe its a google thing.
Click to expand...

What version of Google Drive app do you have on your iPad? I'm on 4.2019.36203 which was updated in the past day or so. Prior to that I was on 4.2019.36202. There's been a number of updates in the past month.
 
OMG it was old, I updated and restarted. Now my ipad wont recognize any of my externals using the hootoo. Ipad keeps beeping like its telling me a new device has been added but nothing shows up in locations. I think Im going to panic now.
 
Odd, wouldn't think that Google Drive app would affect drivers for the hub you're using. I'm on a lightning connector not USB-C. If it were me troubleshooting at this point I'd uninstall Google Drive app completely and then restart, then test external drive support again. Once confirmed working I'd reinstall Google Drive.
 
Muzzy, I did that...….it makes my ext drive click and ding. Only the folders in google drive are showing, but when I select them the pictures do not show.They are all empty. Thanks for the support, I will be spending the evening playing around with this....its all I have for my pics so I have to get it working, even if it means adding dropbox or something. The hootoo card reader isn't working either. :(
 
Ok. Sounds like your issue with the hootoo card reader is unrelated to updating Google Drive app and related to something else. Sorry to hear that the reboot has caused more issues, not sure how to help.
 
No worries--here is an update: Hootoo works fine with card reader and works with ext drive. The red minuses are now gone however so are the pics on google drive, just the folders are showing. I dragged and dropped pics into icloud drive with no issue---so the issue has to be with Google drive Im thinking. I can work with this I think although its not my preference. I have no laptop so I have to make it work! Ill be buying more sd cards today lol. I think 13.1 must have broken it as I was flying around after installing the beta doing this. I have reported it. Thanks for all the support it is very much appreciated!

Oh, and I sure hope Apple will give us a way to tell how much space is available on a hard drive soon.
 
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