[Solved] iPad Not Reading USB Drive - 5 Easy Ways

Why Is My iPad Not Reading My USB Drive?

Many users want to connect a USB drive to their iPad to back up or transfer important data, but some of them have reported the “iPad not reading USB drive” issue. Why does this happen? Some possible reasons are listed below:

• Incompatible USB drive
• Faulty USB connection
• Incorrect iPad settings
• An outdated iPadOS version
• …

How to Fix iPad Not Reading USB Drive in Simple Ways

If you are experiencing the “iPad not detecting USB drive” issue, then you can go through the methods below to troubleshoot the issue. Scroll down for details.

Method 1: Force Restart Your iPad

When you find your iPad not detecting USB drive, you can try to force restart your iPad to help you solve the problem. Follow the steps below to do it:

For an iPad with a Home button:

• Press and hold both the Top button and the Home button at the same time.
• Keep holding them until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

For an iPad without a Home button:

• Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, which is closest to the Top button.
• Press and quickly release the Volume Down button, which is farthest from the Top button.
• Press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Method 2: Check USB Connections

The “iPad Pro not detecting USB drive” issue may be caused by a faulty cable. You should ensure that the USB drive is securely connected to your iPad using a compatible USB cable. If possible, try different cables.

Method 3: Test with Different USB Drive

Before testing with different USB drives, you should first check whether the USB drives are compatible with your iPad model. Some USB drives may require specific formats or may not be supported by certain iPad models.

After that, try connecting a different USB drive to your iPad to determine if the issue lies with the specific USB drive or the iPad itself.

Method 4: Update iPadOS

Why isn’t reading USB drive on iPad? Sometimes, an outdated iPadOS version may also cause the “iPad not detecting USB drive” issue. In this case, you can check for any available iOS updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

After that, install any pending updates to check if the issue is fixed.

Method 5: Reset iPad Settings

To solve the “iPad Pro not detecting USB drive” problem, you can also try to reset your iPad’s settings. Please follow the steps to do that:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPad > Choose General and then Reset.

Step 2: Tap the Erase All Content and Settings option. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to continue. (You’ll be asked to enter the passcode and Apple ID password.)

After trying the above methods, if the “iPad not reading USB drive” issue is not fixed, you can contact Apple Support for help.

Bonus: Back Up Your iPad Before Fixing iPad Not Reading USB Drive

When you encounter the “iPad not reading USB drive” issue, the first thing that you should do is back up your iPad to PC or USB drive before fixing this issue. Is there a fast and safe way to back up your iPad? Yes! One recommended option is FoneTool, a professional backup and transfer tool designed for iPhone and iPad users.

Why choose FoneTool to back up your iPad? Some benefits of this tool are as follows:

Selective Backup: You have the flexibility to selectively back up your iPhone/iPad, saving time and storage space.
Comprehensive Backup: FoneTool allows you to back up various types of data from your iPad, including contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, apps, and more.
Secure Backup: FoneTool offers the backup encryption feature that allows you to create encrypted backup of iPhone/iPad without any data loss or compromise.
Additional Features: FoneTool may include additional features such as data management, file transfer, and device optimization to enhance your iPad usage experience.

So, how to back up your iPad to PC with FoneTool? Let’s check the detailed steps below:

Step 1: Free download FoneTool and install it on your Windows PC > Connect your iPad to your PC by tapping Trust on the screen > Run FoneTool.

Step 2: Go to the Phone Backup section in the main iterface > Choose Selective Backup (or Full Backup to make a full iPad backup) > Click the Get Started button.

Step 3: Click the icons to choose files that you want to back up > Click OK. Then, click Backup Storage Path to choose a local folder save your backup file > Click Start Backup.

With FoneTool, you can easily back up your iPad and efficiently transfer all your data from an old iPad to a new iPad.

The Bottom Line

That’s all about how to fix iPad not reading USB drive. To avoid data loss, back up your iPad data before solving the problem. FoneTool, a free and professional backup tool, can help you make a selective or full iPad backup easily and quickly. Then, you can try each of these methods to fix the issue.