Using a dongle, SD card or USB drive and the Files app?

[kat.hayes]

Now that iPads have a Files app, can you plug in a dongle, and use either an SD card or a USB drive and navigate within the SD or USB drive to access files, and copy files to the Files app? If so, then it is no different than my MacBook, which also needs a dongle to access SD and USB drives....

 

[akash.nu]

No. But generally any such card readers come with an app that you can use to access the storage.

 

[Newtons Apple]

When they first announced the files system I got all excited but after reading more . . . .it is sad!

 

[JPIndustrie]

Yea Files is just bringing iOS on par with the Finder type setup already on MacOS. You will need to respective hardware builder’s specific apps to access memory cards on those devices.

 

[kristalsoldier]

No. But generally any such card readers come with an app that you can use to access the storage.

So, there are products tied to apps that allow SD or MicroSD cards to be used with iPads? On which movies, documents etc can be stored and accessed?

 

[whokuni]

I use the following with great success:
http://www.meenova.com/st/p/dash_i.html
And
Documents 6

 

[akash.nu]

So, there are products tied to apps that allow SD or MicroSD cards to be used with iPads? On which movies, documents etc can be stored and accessed?

Indeed there are.

 

[whokuni]

I use an I-Dash-i with a 256 gb microSD to store my movies, tutorials, etc. I have tried other products but found this the best for me

 

[kristalsoldier]

Thanks all!!! This is a big thing for me! So, let me understand this correctly. Buy this or similar device. It will have a dedicated app with which I can locate and open let’s say a PDF document. When I tap on the documents may be an in app reader will open it. But since I use PDF Expert I can use the Share sheet to do the needful. Is this correct? Also, like I usually do, I make annotations to the document, will the changes be reflected in the original version on such a device?

 

[whokuni]

Everything up to the sharing of PDF files is *yes*. Not sure about the sharing bit. Maybe others have had some experience with this feature.

 

[whokuni]

Was just checking on my Dash-i and a PDF file and I have Readdles PDF expert so there was no problem opening the file. Also could do some editing but it looks like you would need their PDF professional editor upgrade to do any really serious editing. So it would seem that that answers all your questions. Good luck

 

[sparksd]

I use an I-Dash-i with a 256 gb microSD to store my movies, tutorials, etc. I have tried other products but found this the best for me

Same here. I tried another product but found the Dash-i to be superior. Also bought one for my wife.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Would have still rathered Apple gave us a “real” file manager.

 

[kristalsoldier]

Was just checking on my Dash-i and a PDF file and I have Readdles PDF expert so there was no problem opening the file. Also could do some editing but it looks like you would need their PDF professional editor upgrade to do any really serious editing. So it would seem that that answers all your questions. Good luck

Thanks very much! I am sorry, I meant annotating on the PDF with the Pencil. But from what you mention, it sure seems possible. This is really great! Thanks very much!
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Would have still rethered Apple gave us a “real” file manager.

Well, yes of course. Maybe in due course? The Files app is a start, if nothing else.