iPads these days are bonafide laptop alternatives, so it's no surprise that it's pretty easy to max out their storage. That's probably why you're interested in the best external hard drives for iPad, as it's probably the easiest way (other than the cloud, of course) of offloading files and freeing up space.
There are a few factors to consider when picking the best external hard drive for your iPad: how often you store your files, how many files you store, and how easily you need access to your files. Different types of external hard drives will work better, depending on your personal needs. We recommend the Toshiba Canvio Advance as our best pick overall as it has a high storage capacity and is built into one hard drive. But there are plenty of other contenders, big and small, to consider.
In this guide you'll find our picks for the best external hard drives for iPad, with in-depth reviews of each product that outline their advantages and disadvantages. Whatever your needs, you'll find what you're looking for below.
Quick List
Best overall
Available in up to 4TB capacity and measuring just 2.5 inches, Toshiba's Canvio Advance is an excellent all-rounder for backing up the files you don't want to lose. Powered by USB 3.0 tech, it runs fast and offers password protection. The obvious downside is that you'll need an adaptor for Thunderbolt connectivity.
Best for Lightning
Thanks to its built-in Lighting connector, this diminutive hard drive is ideal for people still rocking a pre-2023 iPhone or older iPad, allowing you to free up space and easily moves files between devices. It also features a USB-C connector for more modern iPhones and tablets, and is available in sizes up to 512GB.
Best for pockets
Lightweight and compact (it measures just 4.2 by 3.1 by 0.9 inches), the iDiskk iPad Lightning Flash Drive has a built-in Lightning connector and a capacity of 256GB. Built-in security features make it easy to keep your stored content encrypted, and you can transfer large files quickly via USB 3.0.
Best for streaming
Western Digital's My Passport Wireless Pro ticks a lot of boxes. As well as offloading photos, videos and other files your iPad can no longer accommodate, you can wirelessly stream content thanks to the device's 8 02.11ac Wi-Fi capabilities. Measuring 5 by 5 by 0.86 inches, it'll slip nicely into a backpack and gives you 10 hours of battery life from its built-in power bank.
Best for multiple devices
This guide focuses on iPad storage, but if you have a lot of full-to-bursting Apple devices you could do a lot worse than iDiskk's 1TB external hard drive. Its large capacity drive can store a huge number of files, and while it's a chunkier device than some of the other products on this list, the added heft might be worth it for power users. You also get a 6400mAh power bank than can supply you with 10 hours of additional battery life.
The best External Hard Drives for iPad: in depth
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The best external hard drive for iPad overall
The Toshiba Canvio Advance has a slim and stylish design, measuring in at 2.5 inches. It comes in fun and vibrant colors to reflect and fit your style. Its high storage capacity of 4TB is capable of storing thousands of media files and documents. Compatible with USB 2.0 devices, but powered by USB 3.0 technology, the Toshiba Canvio Advance runs extremely fast, allowing you to transfer and organize your files at a rapid pace. You do require an adaptor for thunderbolt connectivity, however.
You never have to worry about theft of your files as the Canvio Advance is password protected. It also comes equipped with Toshiba Storage Security Software for added protection. Simply set a time and interval, and this device will backup automatically.
You don't have to worry about the Toshiba Canvio Advance hard drive breaking down after a short period as it has been time-tested for reliable performance. It comes backed by a 2-year warranty, so you can use your device freely with peace of mind.
This hard drive is time-tested for reliable performance and is password protected to keep your files safe
The best external hard drive for iPad for Lightning users
This small and useful hard drive measures in at 2.32 by 0.51 by 0.66 inches, and is specifically made for iOS devices from before the iPhone 15. As such, it has an Apple Lightning connector and a USB 3.0 connector built into its practical J-shaped design, which makes it easy to connect your iPad or mobile devices. The flexibility of the design makes it so that you don't even need to remove your iPad's protective casing before connecting. This also gives you the ability to upload your images and files from your iPad to the device instantly.
Instead of wasting storage space by storing your images on your iPad or iPhone, simply plug into the SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive and save your files directly on to the hard drive. This opens up space on your iOS devices, ensuring that your applications continue running smoothly. You can also keep movies and TV shows on this external hard drive for those long days of travel.
With the SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive, you can download the iXpand app and create a password to ensure that all of your files stay protected across all of your devices. Some customers mention that the app can be difficult to use.
The built-in Lightning connector enables users to quickly and easily upload files directly from their iPad.
The best external hard drive for iPad for pocketing
With 256 GB of external storage, the iDiskk 256GB iPad Lightning Flash Drive is a great choice. Measuring in at 4.2 by 3.1 by 0.9 inches, this compact external hard drive for iPads is lightweight and portable. With its built-in Thunderbolt Lightning connector, you can easily connect to your iOS devices without the use of an additional cable.
The iDiskk 256GB iPad Lightning Flash Drive delivers rapid transfer speeds. Transfer large files such as movies in as little as 20 seconds with the built-in USB 3.0 connector. With this external hard drive, you can create videos via the in-app camera features and back them up automatically to the iDiskk. The built-in password and touch ID protection software will keep all of your files, photos, and videos safe and encrypted.
This external hard drive is designed with a connector that measures in at 4-millimeters longer than a traditional connector. This allows for easy and damage-free connectivity to your iPad and mobile devices. Although some users mention that communicating with customer service can be quite difficult, this device is backed by an 18-month warranty.
This small and compact external hard drive comes equipped with a built-in Lightning Thunderbolt connector.
The best external hard drive for iPad for streaming
The Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro delivers high-speed performance with its 4K streaming over 802.11ac Wi-Fi capabilities. This makes for easy uploading, offloading, editing, and streaming on both your iOS device and your PC. It is even compatible with your Smart TV.
Offering a 10-hour battery supply with its built-in 6400 mAh power bank, the WD My Passport Wireless Pro is perfect for those on-the-go needs. Included in this hard drive is an extra port that gives you the ability to share its impressive battery power with other devices. With this feature, you can ensure that your iPad stays charged all day long.
The My Passport Wireless Pro is nice and compact. It measures at 5 x 5 x 0.86 inches. It is small and easy to carry while still offering an abundance of useful features.
This hard drive is perfect for anyone who is looking for uploading and editing capabilities at an impressive speed.
The best external hard drive for multiple devices
The iDiskk 1TB (1024GB) iPad pro External Hard Drive is excellent for all of your Apple devices. With up to 1TB of storage, this external hard drive allows you to store large videos, photos, and more. This high capacity storage device can store 2,000 HD videos or up to 250,000 songs. To use this device, simply plug it into your iPad or smartphone and start transferring or streaming immediately.
Measuring in at 5.7 by 3.1 by 0.9 inches, and equipped with a 10,000mAh battery, this external hard drive for your iPad can provide up to 8 hours of continuous use while remaining a convenient size. It can also work as a power bank to help recharge other devices.
This external hard drive comes equipped with a chip that is MFi Certified. This means that it has been authorized by Apple and will remain compatible with your devices. With the iDiskk 1TB (1024GB) iPad pro External Hard Drive, you can expect fast and safe data transfers. Back up your files with the included app whenever the drive is connected to your devices. You can also set up automatic backups of your newest content if you'd like. Some customers mention that it does not always backup automatically.
This external hard drive is Mfi Certified and can charge other devices with its 10,000mAh battery.
Q & A
Making space
Picking the right hard drive for your Apple device is key to making your life easier and more organized. It is hugely beneficial to know what features are offered and why one model or brand tumps another. There is an abundance of options for hard drives that are compatible with iPads, so knowing which one meshes best with your lifestyle is essential.
Most users are looking for something sleek and compact so that it can be carried around easily and be available for use immediately. Another essential feature is storage capacity. We recommend the Toshiba Canvio Advance as this external hard drive for your iPad comes equipped with 4TB of storage space and fast transfer speeds while maintaining a modern and practical design.
