This article explains how to connect your iPad to a USB device. The instructions apply to all versions of the iPad.
The following iPads have USB-C ports:
iPad Pro models since the third generation in 2018.
iPad Air models since 2020***.
iPad mini models since the sixth generation in 2021.
10th generation iPad models since 2022.
These models allow you to connect any USB-C device that is compatible with your iPad. With these models, assuming you are connected to a USB-C accessory, then the problem of connecting a USB device to an iPad is solved.
If you have an old USB device that you want to use with these models, you'll need an adapter. You can buy a USB-C to USB adapter from Apple. Plug your old USB device into this adapter, then plug the adapter into the USB-C port of your iPad, and you're good to go.
If you have an entry-level iPad, any previous model of iPad Air, any model of iPad Pro released before the end of 2018, or any model of iPad Mini prior to the sixth generation, you'll need an Apple Lightning to USB camera adapter to use the USB device. You can connect the adapter cable to the Lightning connector on the bottom of your iPad and then connect the USB accessory to the other end of the cable.
This accessory is designed to connect a digital camera to an iPad to import **and**, but that's not all it does. You can connect other USB accessories such as keyboards, microphones, and printers. Not every USB accessory will work with this adapter, but you're unlikely to come across a device that doesn't work.
You can choose, even older iPads with a wide 30-pin base connector. In this case, you'll need a cradle connector to a USB adapter, not a lightning connector to a USB adapter.
There are a variety of options on the market, but shop around and read reviews before making a purchase to make sure you're getting good quality and wide compatibility. Like the camera adapter, this cable plugs into the port on the bottom of the iPad.
USB is not the only way to connect accessories and other devices to your iPad. iOS has a lot of built-in wireless features that you can use to interact with other devices. Unfortunately, not every accessory supports these features, so you may need to buy some new devices to take advantage of them.
AirDrop: This Apple technology is available on iOS 70 and higher versions of the device. You can use AirDrop to wirelessly transfer files between iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
AirPlay: This Apple technology streams audio and** from the iPad to the speakers and screen. If you have compatible accessories, AirPlay lets you stream audio and** and mirror your iPad screen on your TV via Apple TV.
AirPrint: This is Apple's solution for printing on iPads that are not connected to USB devices. iOS has built-in support for this wireless technology, but you'll need an Airprint-compatible printer to use it, which most new printers do.
Bluetooth: Use Bluetooth to pair or connect devices to iPads, keyboards, headphones, microphones, and similar devices. It's an industry standard, so you can find the widest selection here.
If you can't (or just don't want to) buy an adapter, you can connect a flash drive to your computer, upload files to a free** cloud storage service, and then use your iPad to access the files in that service. It's definitely slower and more cumbersome, but it's a free way to upload files to your iPad without having to buy anything.