SSD power requirement compatibility with iPad Pro, and cable interchangeability not working

Portable SSD Extreme Portable SSD
1

Hi and sorry for a long post for a first timer. But I’m facing a peculiar problem using SanDisk external SSDs with my 3rd Gen. iPad Pro 12.9.

Equipment:
1- iPad Pro 12.9, 3rd Gen. updated to current
2- Unpowered Honeywell Type C Mini Docking Station with 85 W PD USB-C port, another USB-C port, a USB-A 3.1 port
3- SanDisk Extreme Portable 2TB
4- SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable 1TB
5- Cables

Scenario 1:

A- Direct Connection of Extreme Portable Pro 1TB SSD to iPad USB-C port - instantly detected by iPad.

B- Direct Connection of Extreme Portable 2TB SSD to iPad USB-C port - instantly detected by iPad.

Scenario 2:

A- Extreme Portable Pro 1TB SSD connected through Honeywell USB-C Hub to iPad USB-C port, plus 20 W Apple charger connected to PD USB-C port - instant connection to iPad

B. Extreme Portable 2TB SSD connected through Honeywell USB-C Hub to iPad USB-C port, , plus 20 W Apple charger connected to PD USB-C port - unreliable / intermittent connection to iPad

Same scenarios replicated with Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+, but with Samsung 10 W charger connected.

Two Observations:

1- Samsung Tab charging % started going down. Perhaps 10 W isn’t enough.

  1. iPad charging continued but I can’t confirm whether charging speed is same as that without connecting SSDs and USB-C hub.

Do I therefore need an Active Powered USB-C Hub for connecting both drives, even a couple more pen drives?

2-There is also an issue with the two cables, one for 1TB Pro and the other for 2TB non-Pro. Upon interchanging them, the 2TB SSD disappears, while the 1TB stays. The cable for 1TB Pro doesn’t seem to do the job with 2TB non-Pro. Why so?

I have examined some Active Hubs like Startech, Atolla, Sabrent, TP-Link etc, but not sure which one would fit the iPad. Except Startech, it appears that the other ones are generic for PC / MAC.

Anyone with a good solution please?

2

Hi @ssimlai,

Have you opened a Support Case? If not opened, for more information, please contact the SD Technical Support team for best assistance and troubleshooting:

3

SSD power requirements are incompatible with the iPad Pro due to differences in power delivery and connector standards. Additionally, cable interchangeability between SSDs and the iPad Pro may not work due to incompatible protocols and interfaces.
For added safety, it is recommended to utilize backup software such as EaseUS Todo Backup in order to safeguard important files. This particular software is user-friendly and offers a variety of backup options. Additionally, if you have lost or corrupted files, EaseUS Data Recovery is a powerful tool that is both effective and easy to use. There is even a free trial available for those interested. For further assistance, contacting SanDisk’s customer support may also be beneficial, particularly if your SSD is still under warranty. Best of luck!