iPad Pro Ipad iOS 11 reading external thumb drives

[JamieLannister]

Can anyone confirm if iOS 11 on any of the ipad pro's can read and write to external media? I mean for the 12.9" a USB 3.0 drive attached to the USB port; can you read from it? (using the lightning usb 3.0 adapter of course)

If this is still not possible, then the new file management features in iOS 11 is garbage. There is no significant difference between ios 11 file features vs ios 10 because you still cannot access external media. And you can use FileBrowser (business) OR Documents app to do the same things as the File app - but with those apps at least you can access wireless storage devices and have access to AFP/SMB/WEBDAV connections.

 

[sracer]

Can anyone confirm if iOS 11 on any of the ipad pro's can read and write to external media? I mean for the 12.9" a USB 3.0 drive attached to the USB port; can you read from it?

If this is still not possible, then the new file management features in iOS 11 is garbage. There is no significant difference between ios 11 file features vs ios 10 because you still cannot access external media. And you can use FileBrowser (business) OR Documents app to do the same things as the File app - but with those apps at least you can access wireless storage devices and have access to AFP/SMB/WEBDAV connections.

There is no indication that this support is present in iOS 11. If it were, it certainly would've been mentioned at the WWDC keynote.

 

[JamieLannister]

There is no indication that this support is present in iOS 11. If it were, it certainly would've been mentioned at the WWDC keynote.

I was extremely wishful for this feature - AT LEAST being able to read/write to exFat formatted drives. Why they omit this and allow for USB 3.0 adapter is just baffling. This is my main deal breaker for buying the new iPad Pro 2. I will keep my existing iPad Pro 12.9. I really want to get my hands to try out the new surface pro 4 2017 model with that advertised 13 hour battery life but i don't have high hopes.

 

[rdavis41]

Have you tried a wireless external hard drive? Some of them offer an app in which you can access your files there. Not the convenience of a laptop, but better than the iPad alone.

 

[rwp]

I am hoping that having USB memory sticks and hard drives show up in the new iOS 11 Files app will be supported. Anyone try this out yet specifically?

 

[sracer]

Have you tried a wireless external hard drive? Some of them offer an app in which you can access your files there. Not the convenience of a laptop, but better than the iPad alone.

I use the RavPower File Hub. This works like a charm. Next best thing to native support for removable media.

 

[33coe]

Any new info post 2nd beta?

 

[neutrino23]

I plug a USB drive into the slot on the Airport wifi router and read/write files on it that way. I use an app called Remote Files Free but I think there are many others that do this. Try Readdle.

 

[seadragon]

Why does Apple play these games?! So frustrating. Just allow external drives. Sheeesh...

 

[JPack]

Why does Apple play these games?! So frustrating. Just allow external drives. Sheeesh...

Apple doesn't want the iPad to fully cannibalize the Mac.

The Mac is still bringing in more revenue than iPad due to the higher ASP. Until the iPad has a starting price of around $1000, I doubt Apple will introduce external storage features.

 

[33coe]

That's so disappointing. Why introduce files if we can't use an external drive? I never buy dongles but I would for a USB adapter.

 

[sracer]

That's so disappointing. Why introduce files if we can't use an external drive? I never buy dongles but I would for a USB adapter.

This is why I'm reserving judgment of the benefits of iOS 11 until it is formally released.

 

[badmojo69]

There is no indication that this support is present in iOS 11. If it were, it certainly would've been mentioned at the WWDC keynote.

Not necessarily. They never talked about the new screen recording feature. They have to leave something for us to find out on our own.
[doublepost=1498275092][/doublepost]

That's so disappointing. Why introduce files if we can't use an external drive? I never buy dongles but I would for a USB adapter.

Won't this work today? https://www.apple.com/shop/product/...-adapter?fnode=91&fs=f=adapter&fh=4588%2B45b0

 

[sracer]

Not necessarily. They never talked about the new screen recording feature. They have to leave something for us to find out on our own.

True. They also add bits-n-pieces along the way (that weren't in the version presented at the keynote).

iOS 11 really does have the POTENTIAL to dramatically change the way we use our iPads. That's why I'm sitting tight with my 1st gen 12.9 Pro until I have an opportunity to use the production version of iOS 11. After that, I'll re-evaluate.

 

[Synergie]

I use the RavPower File Hub. This works like a charm. Next best thing to native support for removable media.

What are the transfer speeds available with this? I have tried to find a way to connect an external HDD through USB / Lightning Camera kit precisely because WiFi transfer speeds are too slow. For example at 288 KB/s (which is what I just got when I tested) it took over 15 seconds to transfer ONE photo. Trying to stream video is impossible, and you have to download the full thing before you can watch. Using it to import to video editing software takes forever, as transferring even a small video of only a few mins, takes a LONG time over WiFi. With USB 3.0 speeds available through the Lightning to USB Camera connector, I was hoping to be able to connect an external drive directly to get those transfer speeds. Unfortunately I cant seem to make it work which is frustrating. The drive is a portable one that doesn’t need external power, and the light is on meaning there is enough power through the USB. The device can ‘see’ it as it comes up saying its not compatible (which I expected anyway, but many USB to Lightning ‘sticks’ exists which have their own software to transfer files... like Leef iBridge. Why can’t Seagate for example make an app to do this with it’s BAckup Plus portable drive through USB??) I don’t want to rely on WiFi because of transfer speeds. Just wondering what the fastest WiFi transfer speed is available for things like this. Especially if it’s a direct connect and not through another Wifi network.

My home WiFi network is firbeop, and I regularly got fast transfer speeds on my laptop. My problem now is not so much downloading / uploading for some future use but using a viable LARGE external storage option which doesn’t take hours to transfer a large video file. 256 Gb on the iPad Pro is not enough as ONE video project I have the files for take up over 36 Gb of space! Granted when the project is done those files can be deleted and the final project file will the only thing kept but those video files I’d like to archive on a larger 2 Tb drive.

Ironically the Backup Plus Slim by Seagate says on the box iOS compatible. Why would it need to say that if for example, its connected to a Mac in order to be seen? The Best Buy Guys seem to think you can easily connect an external drive using the lightning to USB camera kit. I can’t even get it to recognize in the photos app!

Are there any third party apps which have the drivers etc required to see and use external drives via USB?

 

[sparksd]

What are the transfer speeds available with this? I have tried to find a way to connect an external HDD through USB / Lightning Camera kit precisely because WiFi transfer speeds are too slow. For example at 288 KB/s (which is what I just got when I tested) it took over 15 seconds to transfer ONE photo. Trying to stream video is impossible, and you have to download the full thing before you can watch. Using it to import to video editing software takes forever, as transferring even a small video of only a few mins, takes a LONG time over WiFi. With USB 3.0 speeds available through the Lightning to USB Camera connector, I was hoping to be able to connect an external drive directly to get those transfer speeds. Unfortunately I cant seem to make it work which is frustrating. The drive is a portable one that doesn’t need external power, and the light is on meaning there is enough power through the USB. The device can ‘see’ it as it comes up saying its not compatible (which I expected anyway, but many USB to Lightning ‘sticks’ exists which have their own software to transfer files... like Leef iBridge. Why can’t Seagate for example make an app to do this with it’s BAckup Plus portable drive through USB??) I don’t want to rely on WiFi because of transfer speeds. Just wondering what the fastest WiFi transfer speed is available for things like this. Especially if it’s a direct connect and not through another Wifi network.

My home WiFi network is firbeop, and I regularly got fast transfer speeds on my laptop. My problem now is not so much downloading / uploading for some future use but using a viable LARGE external storage option which doesn’t take hours to transfer a large video file. 256 Gb on the iPad Pro is not enough as ONE video project I have the files for take up over 36 Gb of space! Granted when the project is done those files can be deleted and the final project file will the only thing kept but those video files I’d like to archive on a larger 2 Tb drive.

Ironically the Backup Plus Slim by Seagate says on the box iOS compatible. Why would it need to say that if for example, its connected to a Mac in order to be seen? The Best Buy Guys seem to think you can easily connect an external drive using the lightning to USB camera kit. I can’t even get it to recognize in the photos app!

Are there any third party apps which have the drivers etc required to see and use external drives via USB?

I also have a RAVPower FileHub and I ran a test. I copied a 1.21GB mp4 file from a USB 3.0 Western Digital My Passport drive attached to the FileHub to my 10.5" iPad Pro over the FileHub's WiFi link. It took 150 secs. so if my math is right, it transferred at approx. 8MB/sec.

I don't know of any way to connect a USB HDD to an iPad other than through a wireless transfer mechanism like this. There are card readers that have Lightning connectors and support reading/writing from uSD or SD cards (Meenova Dash-i is one example).

 

[RecentlyConverted]

What are the transfer speeds available with this? I have tried to find a way to connect an external HDD through USB / Lightning Camera kit precisely because WiFi transfer speeds are too slow. For example at 288 KB/s (which is what I just got when I tested) it took over 15 seconds to transfer ONE photo. Trying to stream video is impossible, and you have to download the full thing before you can watch. Using it to import to video editing software takes forever, as transferring even a small video of only a few mins, takes a LONG time over WiFi. With USB 3.0 speeds available through the Lightning to USB Camera connector, I was hoping to be able to connect an external drive directly to get those transfer speeds. Unfortunately I cant seem to make it work which is frustrating. The drive is a portable one that doesn’t need external power, and the light is on meaning there is enough power through the USB. The device can ‘see’ it as it comes up saying its not compatible (which I expected anyway, but many USB to Lightning ‘sticks’ exists which have their own software to transfer files... like Leef iBridge. Why can’t Seagate for example make an app to do this with it’s BAckup Plus portable drive through USB??) I don’t want to rely on WiFi because of transfer speeds. Just wondering what the fastest WiFi transfer speed is available for things like this. Especially if it’s a direct connect and not through another Wifi network.

My home WiFi network is firbeop, and I regularly got fast transfer speeds on my laptop. My problem now is not so much downloading / uploading for some future use but using a viable LARGE external storage option which doesn’t take hours to transfer a large video file. 256 Gb on the iPad Pro is not enough as ONE video project I have the files for take up over 36 Gb of space! Granted when the project is done those files can be deleted and the final project file will the only thing kept but those video files I’d like to archive on a larger 2 Tb drive.

Ironically the Backup Plus Slim by Seagate says on the box iOS compatible. Why would it need to say that if for example, its connected to a Mac in order to be seen? The Best Buy Guys seem to think you can easily connect an external drive using the lightning to USB camera kit. I can’t even get it to recognize in the photos app!

Are there any third party apps which have the drivers etc required to see and use external drives via USB?

I like you don’t understand why Apple doesn’t modify iOS or release APIs to allow developers to write apps that would allow the reading and writing of USB attached storage devices. Surely Apple makes more money on each Lightning to USB adapter it sells than the licensing fee it gets from each unit of Lightning USB storage devices. It has so called Pro iPads ( I am writing on one now) but you can’t use a USB drive properly, even with their own adapter.

 

[Synergie]

I like you don’t understand why Apple doesn’t modify iOS or release APIs to allow developers to write apps that would allow the reading and writing of USB attached storage devices. Surely Apple makes more money on each Lightning to USB adapter it sells than the licensing fee it gets from each unit of Lightning USB storage devices. It has so called Pro iPads ( I am writing on one now) but you can’t use a USB drive properly, even with their own adapter.

I admit I have had to resort to using a WiFi media hub (the Ravpower one) and at first I was getting transfer speeds around 1.2 Mbps.... that’s slow. Slow enough to now even allow a proper buffer to play movies off the attached drive without stalling. I have since fixed it and I’m getting around 14-15 Mbps now. It would be better if the Ravpower worked with 5 Gbit connections instead of just 2.4 but it’s playing movies off the drive now and the buffer cache is staying ahead of the play (meaning no stalling to buffer).

I’m still with you on the allowing of external USB devices via the Apple connection kit. Why not? You still can’t access the root directory or iOS itself so I don’t understand their unwillingness to allow it in the name of security.

It’s obviously capable of doing it, because for those who are jail broken, they can access external drives via that same cable.

 

[sparksd]

I admit I have had to resort to using a WiFi media hub (the Ravpower one) and at first I was getting transfer speeds around 1.2 Mbps.... that’s slow. Slow enough to now even allow a proper buffer to play movies off the attached drive without stalling. I have since fixed it and I’m getting around 14-15 Mbps now. It would be better if the Ravpower worked with 5 Gbit connections instead of just 2.4 but it’s playing movies off the drive now and the buffer cache is staying ahead of the play (meaning no stalling to buffer).

I’m still with you on the allowing of external USB devices via the Apple connection kit. Why not? You still can’t access the root directory or iOS itself so I don’t understand their unwillingness to allow it in the name of security.

It’s obviously capable of doing it, because for those who are jail broken, they can access external drives via that same cable.

What was your fix on the RAVPower?

 

[Synergie]

What was your fix on the RAVPower?

A new router from my fibre op provider... Now I’m getting about 15 Mbps speed through the Rav Power so I think it still accesses the net to do stuff if you use File Browser. I never tried their own app as I found it rather clunky.