Connect external devices or servers with Files on iPad

You can use the Files app to access files stored on external devices or servers, such as USB drives and SD cards, file servers, and other cloud storage providers like Box and Dropbox, after you connect them to your iPad.

Connect a USB drive or an SD card

Insert a USB camera adapter or an SD card reader into the charging port on iPad.
Depending on your model, use the Lightning to USB Camera Adapter, Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, USB-C to SD Card Camera Reader, or Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader (all sold separately).
Note: The Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter can be powered with a USB power adapter. This allows you to connect USB devices with higher power requirements, such as external hard drives, to iPad.
Do one of the following:
- Connect a USB drive: Use the USB cable that came with the USB drive to connect the drive to the camera adapter.
- Insert an SD memory card into the card reader: Don’t force the card into the slot on the reader; it fits only one way.
To view the contents of the device, tap Browse at the bottom of the screen, then tap the name of the device below Locations. If you don’t see Locations, tap Browse again at the bottom of the screen.

To disconnect the device, simply remove it from the connector on iPad.

Connect to a computer or file server

Tap at the top of the Browse sidebar.
If you don’t see the Browse sidebar, tap Browse at the bottom of the screen.
Tap Connect to Server.
Enter a local hostname or a network address, then tap Connect.
Tip: After you connect to a computer or file server, it appears in the Recent Servers list on the Connect to Server screen. To connect to a recent server, tap its name.
Select how you want to connect:
- Guest: You can connect as a Guest user if the shared computer permits guest access.
- Registered User: If you select Registered User, enter your user name and password.
Tap Next, then select the server volume or shared folder in the Browse sidebar (under Shared).

To disconnect from the file server, tap next to the server in the Browse sidebar.

For information on how to set up your Mac to share files, see Set up file sharing on Mac in the macOS User Guide.

Add a cloud storage service

Download the app from the App Store, then open the app and follow the onscreen instructions.
Open Files, tap More Locations (below Locations in the Browse sidebar), then turn on the service.
To view your contents, tap Browse at the bottom of the screen, then tap the name of the storage service below Locations. If you don’t see Locations, tap Browse again at the bottom of the screen.

Helpful?

iPad User Guide

Connect external devices or servers with Files on iPad

Connect a USB drive or an SD card

Connect to a computer or file server

Add a cloud storage service