How to use an external hard drive with iPad Pro running iOS 13

Apple will eventually bring one of the most requested features to the iPhone and iPad later this year. External memory (last) support will come to both mobile devices with the release of iOS 13 and iPadOS 13, respectively. Especially on iPad Pro, this support can convince many people to abandon traditional computers, to switch to using tablet instead.

With external memory support, you can connect SD cards, USB drives and other mobile devices to your iPhone or iPad. To get started, all you have to do is connect the external device to your handset or tablet using the necessary cable. From there, you can read your documents through Apple's integrated Files application. You can then move or copy your files to other connected drives (if they are also attached to your mobile device via an external hub) or to your device's own hard drive. mobile.

This function works best with the latest generation iPad Pro models because they have USB-C and are Apple's most powerful and full-featured mobile devices to date. However, this functionality is also implemented in most cases with Lightning port devices, including iPhone and most iPads, using the Lightning-to-USB or Lightning-to-USB 3 camera adapter. Apple.

The article will focus on iPad Pro in the following examples.

Which drives are supported?

Apple has yet to confirm which type of hard drive will support external storage connections. However, support may include ExFAT, FAT32, HSF + and APFS. With this support, you can compress and decompress files without installing third-party applications on your device. You can also use the completely new Quick Actions like on a Mac. For example, you can rotate images stored on an external hard drive on a mobile device.

Use external hard drive with mobile device

Here are the steps to connect an external storage device to your mobile device:

1. Connect your external hard drive to iPhone or iPad using Lightning or USB-C port.

2. Click on Files application on mobile device. On the iPhone, you will need to click Browse in the application.

3. Select the hard drive name on the left side of the application.

Move files from external storage to mobile devices

To move files from an external hard drive to an iPhone or iPad, do the following:

1. Click on the external storage device to the left of the Files app on your mobile device.

2. Select Select at the top right of the Files application.

3. Click the file (s) you want to move.

4. Select Move at the bottom of the application.

5. Click On My iPad .

6. Select Copy at the top right.

Files are now located on the hard drive of your mobile device.

What about Safari on mobile?

One area where external storage support will bring immediate benefits is when using Safari on mobile. Instead of saving heavy web downloads like images to your iPad Pro hard drive, you can now save those files outside and save valuable space on your mobile device.

On iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 devices, do the following:

1. Touch the Settings app on iPhone or iPad.

2. Select Safari on the left of the application.

3. Click Downloads on the right.

4. Click Other . in Store Downloaded Files On .

5. Select your external hard drive.

6. Click Done.

From now on, downloaded files from Safari will automatically be sent to your external hard drive (when connected).

Some things to know more about the Files application

External memory support is not the only new feature that comes with the Fiiles application in iPadOS. Apple also introduced a multi-window tool. With this, you can open two Files windows side by side, allowing you to move folders and files more easily with drag and drop. In addition, there is a new column view mode, a great reminder of the Finder on Mac application.

Other new Files application features include:

1. Local memory : Create folders on the local drive and add your favorite files.
2. Rich metadata : Column view displays a rich set of metadata, so you can view details for each file when browsing.
3. Share folders iCloud Drive : Share folders with friends, family and colleagues in iCloud Drive. You can even give them access to add their own files.
4. File servers : Connect to file servers at work or home PCs with SMB from Files.
5. Search by suggestion , help find what you want simpler. Just click on the proposal to quickly filter the results you need.
6. Document scanner : Create digital copies of physical documents and place them directly in the location you want to store.
7. Shortcuts : A variety of new shortcuts make navigating Files easier.

It's great to see Apple finally adding external storage support for iOS and iPadOS. Even with the advent of cloud computing technology, external hard drives still have a place in our daily lives. Apple finally realized this after many, many years. Potentially, iOS 13 and iPadOS will be officially released in September, along with new mobile devices in 2019.