People can accomplish a lot with their iPhones and iPad now that handsets are becoming more computer-like. However, users occasionally may require transferring files to their iPhone or iPad, typically from a flash drive. Previously, iTunes appeared to be the sole option for this task, but not the best. That said, what are the best methods for transferring files from a USB to an iPad?
The Following Three Procedures Excellent Methods For Transferring Files From USB To iPad:
- Transfer Files To iPad With iOS Data Transfer Software
- Transfer With A Lightning USB Adapter To iPad With Files
- Copy Files To An External Storage Device From Your iPad
1. Transfer Files To iPad With iOS Data Transfer Software
If you have a Mac, a Windows PC, or a laptop, you may effortlessly transfer data from a USB drive to your iPad via the USB connection. By using the iOS Data Transfer Software and a PC, you can transfer:
- Videos
- Photos
- Audio Files
- Contacts
- Ringtones
- PDFs
- And More
If you wish to transfer files from a USB flash drive to your iPad, you may use EaseUS MobiMover Free; free data transfer software for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. In addition to the above, you can do the following with it:
- Transfer files from your PC or USB drive to your iPhone or iPad, or vice versa.
- Data may be transferred from one iPhone or iPad to another.
- Using the URL, download web videos to a computer or mobile device.
Because you own an iPad, you will require such a tool to transfer data to or from your device at some point. So get it right away to have greater control over your iDevice’s content. Before you begin, ensure that the software is installed on either your Mac laptop or Windows PC. Then, To transfer data from a USB drive to an iPad, follow these steps:
- Connect the USB drive to your computer and your iPad.
- Next, launch EaseUS MobiMover and select “PC to Phone” from the main menu.
- Next, click the “Select Files” button.
- Once done, the Windows File Explorer will launch. Tap and select the files you wish to transfer to your iPhone by clicking the USB drive.
- Select “Open.”
- You may see the selected files here. You may keep adding files by clicking “Add Contents” or dragging and dropping them.
- Finally, hit “Transfer” to transfer the files and folders from your USB to your iPad.
Following the procedure, you may examine the transferred files in the proper area on your iDevice, such as photographs in Photos, movies/TV shows in Videos, PDF/audiobooks in iBook, and so on.

2. Transfer With A Lightning/USB-C Adapter To iPad With Files
What if you don’t have a computer or just want to transfer data from a USB to an iPad without using a computer? You can accomplish anything with a USB-C flash drive or an Apple lighting to USB converter.
If you have an iPad flash drive, you may connect it straight to your iPad and transfer data as needed. If you use a connector/adapter, make sure it has a lighting port (which I’ll explain later), and then follow the instructions below to discover how to transfer files from a USB to your iPad.
To transfer files from an external flash drive, utilize the Files app on your iPhone or iPad. The only thing you’ll need for this approach is a Lightning to USB converter, which you can get from Apple’s online shop. If you have a Lightning to USB adaptor, follow the steps below to learn how to transfer files to the iPad using the Files app.
- Connect the USB-C external drive to your device directly with the USB adaptor.
- Launch the Files app on your iPad. Then, in the lower right corner, tap Browse.
- In the “Locations” column, you’ll find your drive; press it to see all the files and folders on your USB disk.
- Make a new folder on your iPad for the files you wish to move.
- Return to the Location screen and click to access the flash drive folder.
- Hold and select files to be transferred, then press “Move” at the bottom.
- Choose the destination for the chosen files, navigate to the newly formed folder, and then hit copy. The files will then be moved to the new folder.

3. Copy Files From To External Storage Device From Your iPad
External hard or solid-state drive support is spotty at best. You may, however, connect USB-C-based external drives to your iPad Pro directly via the USB-C connection. External power is required for drives that demand more power, particularly those with rotating hard drives.
If you attach a drive and receive the notice, “This accessory uses too much power,” you must use a connection with a power pass-through. These may be used with iPhones and earlier iPads by using a Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, which allows you to charge your smartphone (and the drive) using a Lightning connector.
As can be seen, the Files app is frequently used to copy files to and from external storage devices. With that in mind, here’s what to do to copy files from an external device to your iPad:
- First, connect your USB external drive or SD card using one of the ways described in section 2 above, and launch the Files app.
- Navigate to the “Browse” tab. When you notice your drive in the “Locations” section, press it to see all of your disk’s contents and folders.
- To preview a file, tap it. The Files app has a powerful media viewer. You can open text, music, and video files from your drive without having to export them to an app.
- Let’s transfer some stuff from your external drive to the local storage on your iPad.
- First, in “Locations,” choose “On My iPad.”
- Tap and hold the empty spot, then choose “New Folder.”
- To create a new folder for the files you wish to move, name it and then click “Done.”
- Select the name of your External Drive from the “Locations” column.
- Tap “Select” in the top toolbar, then select the files to be moved.
- Tap “Move” in the bottom toolbar.
- Once that is done, this brings up a menu with all of the Files app’s accessible destinations. To increase the local storage choice, tap “On my iPhone” or “On my iPad.” Next, tap “Copy” after selecting the newly formed folder. Finally, the files are moved to the folder.
Copying Files To Your iPad From An External Hardrive
After connecting your external drive, you may copy files to it from any location in the Files app, exactly as you did previously. For example, you may copy files from iCloud Drive, Dropbox, a connected SMB server, or whatever app you add to the Files app’s “Locations” area.
For example, suppose you wish to save images on a USB external storage device. First, let’s run through all the steps to ensure it is done correctly.
- Go to the Photos app, choose or highlight the photographs you wish to copy, and touch the Share option.
- Next, you will see that it opens the Files extension, which allows you to save files to any place, including associated external devices.
- Select a folder after tapping your external disk. You may also make one by tapping the New Folder button at the top. Finally, tap “Save” after selecting the folder from the external disk.
- Your images export at full resolution in a few moments to the folder you choose on the external storage device.
- Finally, open the Files app and browse the folder to confirm that it has transferred.
Where To Next?
This blog is a blog dedicated to using modern computing devices to run and manage a business. If you’re interested in using an iPad for your business, either as an entrepreneur, a small business owner or for your employees to use I recommend reading the following articles: