iPad How the **** do you use this thing??

[Roomuz]

Now, I'm almost a senior, and tech is a bit of a challenge to me. Having said that, I have had zero trouble getting my head around every laptop and desktop I've ever owned - and I've owned a few.. Any and all Windows or Mac software, I'm perfectly fine with. In fact I love computers. Have done since I bought my first Atari in 1980, back when I wasn't quite so senior, (I got the steam-powered model with the brass mouse and ivory keyboard).

So, when I finally decided to get an iPad, I thought, this'll be a doddle. I'll eat this up and have a lot of fun as well.

Famous last words.....

My first question has to be: who thought this **** up?!!! Who decided to make a portable computer that could be carried around, but was so incredibly DIFFICULT to use?!

Why doesn't it function like a computer? Why does it refuse to work like every other computer out there? Why is it so limited and restrictive and inaccessible? Why is it so damn non-intuitive? Why did I ever buy it?

I suppose I'd better get specific. I could ask a whole bunch of questions but that would only clutter this thread. So I'll ask just one, relevant to the purpose I want to put the iPad to.

Question: How do you copy videos from an external hard drive to the iPad? And when you do copy them, where the hell do they go?! That's all I want to use it for. So I can watch instructional videos which I've downloaded to an external HDD, in comfort and without switching on my laptop every time.

I will be enormously grateful to anyone who can tell me in simple terms how to get some value out of this contraption.

THANK YOU. 🙂

 

[sparksd]

Now, I'm almost a senior, and tech is a bit of a challenge to me. Having said that, I have had zero trouble getting my head around every laptop and desktop I've ever owned - and I've owned a few.. Any and all Windows or Mac software, I'm perfectly fine with. In fact I love computers. Have done since I bought my first Atari in 1980, back when I wasn't quite so senior, (I got the steam-powered model with the brass mouse and ivory keyboard).

So, when I finally decided to get an iPad, I thought, this'll be a doddle. I'll eat this up and have a lot of fun as well.

Famous last words.....

My first question has to be: who thought this **** up?!!! Who decided to make a portable computer that could be carried around, but was so incredibly DIFFICULT to use?!

Why doesn't it function like a computer? Why does it refuse to work like every other computer out there? Why is it so limited and restrictive and inaccessible? Why is it so damn non-intuitive? Why did I ever buy it?

I suppose I'd better get specific. I could ask a whole bunch of questions but that would only clutter this thread. So I'll ask just one, relevant to the purpose I want to put the iPad to.

Question: How do you copy videos from an external hard drive to the iPad? And when you do copy them, where the hell do they go?! That's all I want to use it for. So I can watch instructional videos which I've downloaded to an external HDD, in comfort and without switching on my laptop every time.

I will be enormously grateful to anyone who can tell me in simple terms how to get some value out of this contraption.

THANK YOU. 🙂

Connect external storage devices to iPad

On iPad, use files stored on USB storage devices and SD cards.

support.apple.com

 

[Adora]

Now, I'm almost a senior, and tech is a bit of a challenge to me. Having said that, I have had zero trouble getting my head around every laptop and desktop I've ever owned - and I've owned a few.. Any and all Windows or Mac software, I'm perfectly fine with. In fact I love computers. Have done since I bought my first Atari in 1980, back when I wasn't quite so senior, (I got the steam-powered model with the brass mouse and ivory keyboard).

So, when I finally decided to get an iPad, I thought, this'll be a doddle. I'll eat this up and have a lot of fun as well.

Famous last words.....

My first question has to be: who thought this **** up?!!! Who decided to make a portable computer that could be carried around, but was so incredibly DIFFICULT to use?!

Why doesn't it function like a computer? Why does it refuse to work like every other computer out there? Why is it so limited and restrictive and inaccessible? Why is it so damn non-intuitive? Why did I ever buy it?

I suppose I'd better get specific. I could ask a whole bunch of questions but that would only clutter this thread. So I'll ask just one, relevant to the purpose I want to put the iPad to.

Question: How do you copy videos from an external hard drive to the iPad? And when you do copy them, where the hell do they go?! That's all I want to use it for. So I can watch instructional videos which I've downloaded to an external HDD, in comfort and without switching on my laptop every time.

I will be enormously grateful to anyone who can tell me in simple terms how to get some value out of this contraption.

THANK YOU. 🙂

There is an instruction link in the post over mine for connecting external storage directly to an iPad.

You might need an adapter or different cable if the iPad has Lightning or USB-C and you only have USB-A on your drive's cable. I never did this, but I think you will find that drive when connected in the Files app and that's where you will find the videos later and I am sure it also has an integrated video player.

It's also possible to sync from your Laptop to the TV or Photos Library on your iPad even the Music App can play videos. If it's Windows you need iTunes, on a Mac just the Finder.

 

[Roomuz]

Okay, sorry, folks, I should have said I've looked at every tutorial video on every website ever created, and I'm still none the wiser. I checked out that link that Sparksd posted, and I've read it carefully, but my iPad obviously hasn't read the same book, because it simply won't do what it's supposed to do! And Adora, I bought a Lightning adapter when I got the iPad, and I've connected my powered external Hard Drive to the iPad through that adapter.

The HDD does show up in the left panel, and when I open it I see the videos that I want to transfer. I can select them all, and copy them, and they're all ready to go. BUT then I cannot find anything resembling a "Paste" button. I have all these videos selected and copied, but there's no way to finish the procedure by pasting them to the iPad....

Adora, when I open the Photos app, I see a message saying it wants to look at my "media library", but when it opens, there is no media, obviously because I haven't been able to transfer my videos into it.........

 

[Slartibart]

The HDD does show up in the left panel, and when I open it I see the videos that I want to transfer. I can select them all, and copy them, and they're all ready to go. BUT then I cannot find anything resembling a "Paste" button. I have all these videos selected and copied, but there's no way to finish the procedure by pasting them to the iPad....

Select the files -> »copy« -> open the folder to which you want to copy the selected files -> tap&hold somewhere -> choose »paste« from the pop-up menu.

or

drag&drop the files to their destination folder.

 

[erihp]

Now, I'm almost a senior, and tech is a bit of a challenge to me. Having said that, I have had zero trouble getting my head around every laptop and desktop I've ever owned - and I've owned a few.. Any and all Windows or Mac software, I'm perfectly fine with. In fact I love computers. Have done since I bought my first Atari in 1980, back when I wasn't quite so senior, (I got the steam-powered model with the brass mouse and ivory keyboard).

So, when I finally decided to get an iPad, I thought, this'll be a doddle. I'll eat this up and have a lot of fun as well.

Famous last words.....

My first question has to be: who thought this **** up?!!! Who decided to make a portable computer that could be carried around, but was so incredibly DIFFICULT to use?!

Why doesn't it function like a computer? Why does it refuse to work like every other computer out there? Why is it so limited and restrictive and inaccessible? Why is it so damn non-intuitive? Why did I ever buy it?

I suppose I'd better get specific. I could ask a whole bunch of questions but that would only clutter this thread. So I'll ask just one, relevant to the purpose I want to put the iPad to.

Question: How do you copy videos from an external hard drive to the iPad? And when you do copy them, where the hell do they go?! That's all I want to use it for. So I can watch instructional videos which I've downloaded to an external HDD, in comfort and without switching on my laptop every time.

I will be enormously grateful to anyone who can tell me in simple terms how to get some value out of this contraption.

THANK YOU. 🙂

Download VLC player, it can play local and network shared media files

 

[MBAir2010]

My first question has to be: who thought this **** up?!!! Who decided to make a portable computer that could be carried around, but was so incredibly DIFFICULT to use?!

Why doesn't it function like a computer? Why does it refuse to work like every other computer out there? Why is it so limited and restrictive and inaccessible? Why is it so damn non-intuitive? Why did I ever buy it?

THANK YOU. 🙂

I enjoyed your post, and feel your pains!

Steve Jobs perfected the iPad while someone else screwed things up after he left,
as i had problems using mine (2023 Gen10 usbC) last night as the UI jumped too much
while filling out a NYTimes crossword puzzle with that pencil.

Then, the website that showed cycling photos would not load, so that could be them
or the Ipad or just today's tech since the MacBook air 2010 displayed the pictures perfectly.

I usually ask younger double digit aged humans what computer they use.....NONE, they all use phones or iPads.
so in 10 years we will be stuck with these things.

so dont go crazy since they already made things crazy enough.

 

[Roomuz]

Select the files -> »copy« -> open the folder to which you want to copy the selected files -> tap&hold somewhere -> choose »paste« from the pop-up menu.

or

drag&drop the files to their destination folder

Ahaa! You have to tap and hold! Silly me. Thanks, man. I'll go try that.

 

[Roomuz]

I enjoyed your post, and feel your pains!

Steve Jobs perfected the iPad while someone else screwed things up after he left,
as i had problems using mine (2023 Gen10 usbC) last night as the UI jumped too much
while filling out a NYTimes crossword puzzle with that pencil.

Then, the website that showed cycling photos would not load, so that could be them
or the Ipad or just today's tech since the MacBook air 2010 displayed the pictures perfectly.

I usually ask younger double digit aged humans what computer they use.....NONE, they all use phones or iPads.
so in 10 years we will be stuck with these things.

so dont go crazy since they already made things crazy enough.

Thanks, MB. I'm not into three digits yet, (and I'm sure you're not), but man, each new bit of technology challenges me more and more these days. I used to think that would never happen, but it has. 😏

Ah well, challenges are good, so they say. 🙂

 

[sparksd]

Thanks, MB. I'm not into three digits yet, (and I'm sure you're not), but man, each new bit of technology challenges me more and more these days. I used to think that would never happen, but it has. 😏

Ah well, challenges are good, so they say. 🙂

Keep at it, it will get easier with use as you familiarize. I'm in my eighth decade myself ...

 

[Roomuz]

Download VLC player, it can play local and network shared media files

I already did that, erihP. Got the installer into "Files", installed it, (apparently), but then when I opened it there was just a message about there being no media on my iPad. No menu like VLC has on the laptop. No way to open and play a file.

Back to square One.

 

[erihp]

been a while since ive done this on ipad but when i start the VLC app i get this menu (on iphone)

are you installing the app from the app store? wasnt following that bit about putting installer in Files.

I already did that, erihP. Got the installer into "Files", installed it, (apparently), but then when I opened it there was just a message about there being no media on my iPad. No menu like VLC has on the laptop. No way to open and play a file.

Back to square One.

 

[Roomuz]

been a while since ive done this on ipad but when i start the VLC app i get this menu (on iphone)

are you installing the app from the app store? wasnt following that bit about putting installer in Files.

I got the app from the VLC site. Downloaded it and put it "On my ipad". When I tap on it, all I get is a blank file icon with "place media here to add them". But I can't find any way to do that. Absolutely no menus anywhere.

 

[Roomuz]

Keep at it, it will get easier with use as you familiarize. I'm in my eighth decade myself ...

I sent a reply before but it seems to have vanished, Sparksd.

Anyway, thanks for your replies. Cheers.👍😊

 

[NoBoMac]

In addition to @erihp example (Network tab in VLC), variation on what @Slartibart posted, instead of Copy, Share. Will present apps that can handle the file type. Click on viewer of choice.

 

[MBAir2010]

Thanks, MB. I'm not into three digits yet, (and I'm sure you're not), but man, each new bit of technology challenges me more and more these days. I used to think that would never happen, but it has. 😏

Ah well, challenges are good, so they say. 🙂

I hear you, yes these annual OS releases are getting tiresome as Sonoma had 3 minor things Ventura did not.
therefore  could have bypassed all this last year.

seems to me that noting new really evolved since 2012 hardware wise
and Im not upgrading to Sequioa since i dont like typing that word!

Just stick to what you feel comfortable with software wise,
and filter some advice here since a few will toss their dirty ol' hat into the ring.

 

[Roomuz]

Agreed, MB. And that's what I've done for several years now. But I had a rush of blood to the head and decided that I wanted an iPad. Not "needed", mind you, just "wanted". The folly of approaching age...

I've read and tried everything that folks here have suggested. And it's been very helpful. But everything I do ends in a brick wall. I even went through all the rigmarole of resetting the iPad, just in case it lacked something it needed. But no change.

Yep, "Sequioa" is a tricky word to type and get right. I mean, what was wrong with "Sonoma"? 🤔

 

[Roomuz]

In addition to @erihp example (Network tab in VLC), variation on what @Slartibart posted, instead of Copy, Share. Will present apps that can handle the file type. Click on viewer of choice.View attachment 2406817

Thanks, NoBo. That's good to know.

Now I have to get some downloads. I did get VLC, but then when I reset the thing it vanished of course.

 

[Adora]

Years ago when that Files app didn't exist yet I used an app called Documents by Readdle. It was completely free and could play video and music files directly that were downloaded into it and open any kind of documents. Maybe this is something for you. I don't know if it is still completely free. At least I think it has some pro features as in-app-purchases now.

Documents by Readdle

Documents is a home for all your files. Watch movies, listen to music, open ZIP files, download MP3 on iPhone and iPad.

readdle.com

 

[Roomuz]

I'll check it out, Adora. Thanks.

But I still have the problem of actually getting files (videos mostly) from a PC to the iPad. I've tried all the suggestions here so far, but nothing works. On my Windows PC, I used File Explorer, dragged a video over to the iPad, and absolutely nothing happened. Not even a warning message. The iPad icon did highlight, with the plus sign, and I assumed it was going to copy. But, nothing.. When I opened Files on the iPad, nothing there...

So I tried it on the Mac. An iTunes message popped up on the Mac saying "Do you want to allow this computer to access information on (your iPad). I clicked Continue. Then I got the message, "To allow access, please respond to your iPad". So tapped "Trust" on the iPad, and boom.. On the Mac I got "iTunes could not connect to this iPad. You do not have permission"..............

Right about now a sledge hammer is looking like the best solution to my problems with this iPad brick.

 

[Adora]

Maybe you just waited to long to tap on trust. Just try it again after unplugging it.

What kind of iPad do you even have? Is it a recent version with a recent iPadOS version on it? And is the iTunes version the latest?

I remeber in the past when I still used Windows, the iPhone appeared like an external drive when connected to a PC and there had been only this DCIM-Folder like on digital cameras, where the photos are located and you could copy them over to your PC. Does this folder still exist? Maybe you can copy videos in there and then they are in the Photos App on the iPad.

But iPhones and iPads have a file system that is not compatible with Windows at least not for writing on it. Normally even reading doesn't work. That's why you need iTunes. I don't know how that even worked with that photos folder back then.

You could also install iCloud for Windows and copy the things you want to transfer to the iCloud drive and move them from there to the files app if the space isn't enough or buy more space for iCloud.

What is iCloud for Windows?

Learn about the iCloud features and apps that you can use on your Windows computer.

support.apple.com

If you have Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive or any other cloud drive, you could also use that one. They have all apps for iPad.

 

[erihp]

I'll check it out, Adora. Thanks.

But I still have the problem of actually getting files (videos mostly) from a PC to the iPad. I've tried all the suggestions here so far, but nothing works. On my Windows PC, I used File Explorer, dragged a video over to the iPad, and absolutely nothing happened. Not even a warning message. The iPad icon did highlight, with the plus sign, and I assumed it was going to copy. But, nothing.. When I opened Files on the iPad, nothing there...

So I tried it on the Mac. An iTunes message popped up on the Mac saying "Do you want to allow this computer to access information on (your iPad). I clicked Continue. Then I got the message, "To allow access, please respond to your iPad". So tapped "Trust" on the iPad, and boom.. On the Mac I got "iTunes could not connect to this iPad. You do not have permission"..............

Right about now a sledge hammer is looking like the best solution to my problems with this iPad brick.

step by step grandpa (lovingly)

install vlc.

from mac you want to use airdrop to move the files to the ipad. find the file, hit share icon, airdrop (make sure its enabled on both devices) and allow 'everyone'. you should see the ipad, transfer the file.

on ipad open files (or photos) app. find your file. tap and hold, tap share button, vlc.

yay

 

[Roomuz]

Maybe you just waited to long to tap on trust. Just try it again after unplugging it.

What kind of iPad do you even have? Is it a recent version with a recent iPadOS version on it? And is the iTunes version the latest?

I remeber in the past when I still used Windows, the iPhone appeared like an external drive when connected to a PC and there had been only this DCIM-Folder like on digital cameras, where the photos are located and you could copy them over to your PC. Does this folder still exist? Maybe you can copy videos in there and then they are in the Photos App on the iPad.

But iPhones and iPads have a file system that is not compatible with Windows at least not for writing on it. Normally even reading doesn't work. That's why you need iTunes. I don't know how that even worked with that photos folder back then.

You could also install iCloud for Windows and copy the things you want to transfer to the iCloud drive and move them from there to the files app if the space isn't enough or buy more space for iCloud.

What is iCloud for Windows?

Learn about the iCloud features and apps that you can use on your Windows computer.

support.apple.com

If you have Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive or any other cloud drive, you could also use that one. They have all apps for iPad.

I tapped on Trust immediately.

The iPad is a 9th 17.6.1.

Now there's another odd thing. When I plugged it into the Mac, it showed its name as the name I used to have in a different Microsoft account!!! WTF!!

Naah, stuff it. Too much *** trouble. I don't need this. Out it goes.

I'd LOVE to smash it with a hammer, really I would, seriously. But I guess I'll try to sell it.

Thanks, everyone, for your input.

Cheers.

 

[Roomuz]

step by step grandpa (lovingly)

install vlc.

from mac you want to use airdrop to move the files to the ipad. find the file, hit share icon, airdrop (make sure its enabled on both devices) and allow 'everyone'. you should see the ipad, transfer the file.

on ipad open files (or photos) app. find your file. tap and hold, tap share button, vlc.

yay

Haha, yeah, I probably should persevere, erihp, but I've been agonising over this contraption for three days straight now. Beginning to think they deliberately make these things absurdly complicated, just because they can.

I'll try you suggestion, though, because I'm nothing if not persistent. But if this doesn't work, the neighbours are going to hear a strange crashing, smashing, tinkling noise coming from my house.

Cheers.

EDIT: Well, surprise surprise!! My Mac doesn't have Airdrop. It's a 10.9.5. That's it, then.

Cheers, from another grandpa. 🙂

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Honestly, I feel you on this. I have been using iPad OS for a while now, and the whole 'files' part of it caused my mental pain!

Good luck with everything...