How to Connect USB External Hard Drive on IPad

The Apple tablet can work with just about any Bluetooth keyboard. If you jailbreak the device using the Spirit jailbreak, you can even connect it to a Bluetooth mouse and create a sort of makeshift netbook alternative. But, when it comes to hooking up with printers and external hard drives, The Ipad plays coy enough to make the newly abstinent Bristol Palin proud. That is, unless you’re willing to unlock the tablet’s peripheral chastity belt. Thanks to the Spirit jailbreak solution and a bit of ingenuity on that part of one Maxwell C. Shay, the iPad has been peripherally liberated enough to sync with your USB external hard drive.

Just as in life, it takes a good amount of work to get your iPad to play with your hard drive. But, once you’ve mastered the ins and outs of the process, you’ll be free to mount your hard drive onto your tablet. It’s not a pretty hack, but it definitely will get the job done. You’ll have to hack/jailbreak the device with the Spirit jailbreak. You’ll also need the iPad Camera Connection Kit and a split USB cable that will simultaneously connect the external hard drive to the tablet and connect to a computer to provide power.

You’ll then have to use said computer (like a MacBook Pro) to SSH into the tablet and trick it into mounting the hard drive. Then end result is a tangled mess of computing hardware and cables that no self-respecting mobile warrior would dare bust out with in a crowded cafe. But, hey, if you really really want to do so, you’ll be happy to know that it can be done.

Hit the
video
below to see an iPad getting down and dirty with an external USB hard drive.

AT2020 USB with iPad/iPad2

2IN1 USB 3.5MM AUX DATA CHARGER CABLES IPAD IPOD IPHONE $0.00

5000mAh USB External Backup Battery Charger for iPad 2 3 iPhone 4 4S/HTC/PSP $0.00

3M 10FT USB Data Sync Cable Cord+10W Charger For Apple iphone 4 4S 4G ipad 3 3rd $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

USB Charger Dock for Apple iPad 16GB/32GB/64GB Wi-Fi/3G $0.00

Visible USB Cable Cord Charger Sync Data For iPhone4 4S iPod Touch iPad 2 3 AC40 $0.00

Pink LEATHER CASE COVER+MYBAT USB CABLE FOR APPLE IPAD $0.00

iPad 1 iPad 2 ipad 3 Carema USB Connection Kit Card Reader to SLR CF CF1 CF 2 II $0.00

2M 6FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

3M 10FT USB Data Sync Cable Cord+10W Charger For Apple iphone 4 4S 4G ipad 3 3rd $0.00

2IN1 USB 3.5MM AUX DATA CHARGER CABLES IPAD IPOD IPHONE $0.00

New White 3 Port USB 2.0 Hub 480Mbps Charger Adapter For iPad iPhone 4G 3G 3GS $0.00

10FT 3M EXTRA LONG 30-PIN USB CHARGE DATA SYNC TRANSFER CABLE FOR APPLE iPAD 2 $0.00

6X USB SYNC DATA CHARGER POWER CABLE CORD CONNECTOR IPHONE 4S 4 3GS 3G IPAD IPOD $0.00

4X USB SYNC CHARGER CABLE IPOD TOUCH CLASSIC IPAD DOCK $0.00

2X USB SYNC CHARGER CABLE IPOD TOUCH CLASSIC IPAD DOCK $0.00

USB SYNC CHARGER CABLE IPOD TOUCH CLASSIC IPAD DOCK 6FT $0.00

2 USB Charger Cable for iPad 1 2 Wifi 3G 16GB 32GB 64GB $0.00

2M 6FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

MC359LL/A Apple AC Adapter Apl Usb Power Adptr F/Ipad Ipad 10W W/ Cord $0.00

USB Base Charger Dock Station Charging Cradle Stand For Apple iPad 1 2 2G $0.00

Visible EL USB Light Charging Charger Pink Cable for iPhone 4/iPod/iPad 2 3 AC41 $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

603-2618 Apple Apl Usb Power Adptr F/Ipad $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

30pin USB Cable Sync Data Charger Extension For iPhone4 4S iPod Touch iPad AC35W $0.00

30PIN USB Cable Dock Charger Extender For iPhone 4 4GS iPod Nano iPad 2 3 AC35B $0.00

10W USB Charger Adapter+CABLE FOR iPad 2 iPhone 4 3G S $0.00

4 USB Ports US AC adaptor Wall Charger for iPhone 4 4G 3G 3GS ipad ipod Touch $0.00

White Dual 2 Port USB Car Charger Adapter for Apple iPod iPad iPhone 3G 4G 4S $0.00

2M 6FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

3M 10FT USB Data Sync Cable Cord+10W Charger For Apple iphone 4 4S 4G ipad 3 3rd $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

2M 6FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

10W USB Charger Adapter+CABLE FOR iPad 2 iPhone 4 3G S $0.00

3X 10FT 3 METER EXTRA LONG USB CHARGE DATA SYNC TRANSFER CABLE FOR APPLE iPAD 2 $0.00

3M 10FT USB Data Sync Cable Cord+10W Charger For Apple iphone 4 4S 4G ipad 3 3rd $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

An492 Foldable USB Bluetooth Keyboard for iPad 2 3 iPhone 4S Galaxy Android Tab $0.00

3X SUPER SHORT 7CM SYNC 30-PIN USB TO DOCK CONNECTOR CHARGE CABLE FOR APPLE iPAD $0.00

2M 6FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

3M 10FT USB Data Sync Cable Cord+10W Charger For Apple iphone 4 4S 4G ipad 3 3rd $0.00

5in1 USB Camera Connection Kit SD TF Card Reader Adapter for Apple iPad 1/2 $0.00

Green USB Data Charger Cable 1M Cord 3FT for Apple iPad 2 16/32/64 GB Tablet $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

Lot Of 3 USB Data Sync Charging Cable For Apple iPhone 4G 4S iPod iPad $0.00

5in1 Card Reader USB Camera Connection Kit For iPad2 ipad 2 TF 4GB 8GB yutd c5n6 $0.00

COMPOSITE AV CABLE USB FOR APPLE IPHONE 3GS 4 IPOD IPAD 1 & 2 $0.00

D853 2 in 1 USB 2.0 SD TF Card Reader Camera Connector Kit for Apple iPad 1 2 $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

OEM New Apple iPad Extension Wall Cord for 10W USB Power Adapter Ac Charger Cord $0.00

2M 6FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

3M 10ft USB Data Charger Cable for iPhone 4 4G 4S 3G S iPod iPad 2 3rd Black $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

iPad 2 5-in-1 Camera Connection Kit USB & Memory Reader $0.00

AV COMPOSITE USB CABLE FOR IPOD ITOUCH IPHONE 3G 3GS 4 4S THE NEW IPAD 1 2 3 $0.00

IPAD USB CHARGER AC FOR APPLE IPHONE 3 4 ITOUCH $0.00

USB Base Charger Dock Station Charging Cradle Stand For Apple iPad 1 2 2G $0.00

3M 10FT USB Data Sync Cable Cord+10W Charger For Apple iphone 4 4S 4G ipad 3 3rd $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

3M 10FT USB Data Sync Cable Cord+10W Charger For Apple iphone 4 4S 4G ipad 3 3rd $0.00

3M 10FT USB Data Sync Cable Cord+10W Charger For Apple iphone 4 4S 4G ipad 3 3rd $0.00

3M 10FT USB Data Sync Cable Cord+10W Charger For Apple iphone 4 4S 4G ipad 3 3rd $0.00

3X USB SYNC CHARGER CABLE IPOD TOUCH CLASSIC IPAD DOCK $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

5X USB SYNC CHARGER CABLE IPOD TOUCH CLASSIC IPAD DOCK $0.00

3X USB SYNC CHARGER CABLE IPOD TOUCH CLASSIC IPAD DOCK $0.00

6X USB SYNC CHARGER CABLE IPOD TOUCH CLASSIC IPAD DOCK $0.00

6FT USB DATA SYNC POWER CHARGER CABLE CONNECTOR IPHONE 4S 4 3GS IPAD IPOD TOUCH $0.00

MYBAT USB Cable for NEW iPad 3 rd 3rd GENERATION $0.00

USB 2.0 CHARGER DATA CABLE FOR APPLE iPAD 1 2 3 IPHONE 3 4 4S IPOD ITOUCH $0.00

COMPOSITE AV USB DATA CHARGE CABLE FOR ITOUCH IPHONE 3G 3GS 4 4S IPAD 2 $0.00

3M 10FT USB Data Sync Cable Cord+10W Charger For Apple iphone 4 4S 4G ipad 3 3rd $0.00

VIDEO AV CABLE COMPOSITE USB FOR APPLE IPOD IPHONE 3G 3GS 4 4S IPAD 2 $0.00

iFrogz OEM USB Data Cable Red For Apple iPhone 4 4S 3G 3G S iPod Touch iPad 2 $0.00

APPLE 10W USB POWER WALL ADAPTER CHARGER TOUCH iPHONE iPOD iPAD 2 3 3GS 3G 4 4s $0.00

2M 6FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

Dock Connector to USB Cable for Apple Iphone Ipod Ipad $0.00

ipad 3 2 10w wall mains charger UK + EU pin & 2 metre extra LONG usb data CABLE $0.00

USB 3.5MM AUX AUDIO DATA CHARGER CABLE IPAD IPOD IPHONE $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

3M 10FT USB Date Sync Charger Cable Cord For Apple iphone 4 4S 3G 3GS ipad Ipod $0.00

2 x 3m 10ft USB Charging Data Sync Cable for iPad 1 1G 2 2G 3 3G $0.00

2m 6ft long USB Data Charger Cable for iPad iPhone 2 3G 3Gs 4 4S 5 $0.00

USB cable for Data Sync Charger and Charging iPad 1 2 3 from PC Computer $0.00

USA 10W USB Power Wall Charge Adapter + USB Data Cable For Apple iPAD 2 iPhone 4 $0.00

3m 10ft long USB Data Charger Cable for iPad iPhone 2 3G 3Gs 4 4S 5 $0.00

3M 10FT USB Data Sync Cable Cord+10W Charger For Apple iphone 4 4S 4G ipad 3 3rd $0.00

2 x 2m 6ft long USB Charging Data Sync Cable for iPad 1 1G 2 2G 3 3G $0.00

5 in 1 AV Audio Video Camera USB Micro MiniSD Card Kit iPad 1 2 3rd Generation $0.00

5+1 iPad 1 2 3 Camera Kit USB Keyboard Card SD/HC MS Duo MMC M2 T-Flash Kit $0.00

White Dual 2 Port USB Car Charger Adapter for Apple iPod iPad iPhone 3G 4G 4S $0.00

Lot Of USB Wall Charger Power Adapter 10W iPad iPhone + 3FT Sync Power Cable 5+5 $0.00

2 USB Charger Cable for iPad 1 2 Wifi 3G 16GB 32GB 64GB $0.00

Withings – Wifi Bodyscale …

Duracell Powerhouse USB Charger with Lithium ion battery / includes universal cable with USB and mini USB, $12.49 The Duracell Powerhouse Charger offers big time power from a portable charger. It can charge two USB compatible devices at once, including your iPod, BlackBerry or Motorola phone. Recharge it over and over again by simply plugging into your computer’s USB port. Get up to ten hours of extra power for your devices (Based on 680 mAh cell phone. Results vary based on device and usage patterns)….

BodyMedia FIT LINK Armband Weight Management System $130.00 What is BodyMedia FIT? Your body talks. We listen. The BodyMedia FIT system gives you highly accurate information on activity, calories and sleep patterns – the most accurate in the market. Clinical study results show it can improve weight loss up to 3x! BodyMedia FIT is an on-body monitoring system that consists of the BodyMedia FIT Armband monitor, online Activity Manager*, an optional Display …

Velocity Micro Cruz Reader, Black (R101) $79.97 The next generation of eReaders. “Cruz” through books, magazines, and newspapers on this revolutionary device’s crystal-clear, full-color, 7-inch display. Use the built-in Borders bookstore app to download and read over 2 million eBooks in a light and convenient package. At just under one pound, the 0.6-inch-thick Cruz Reader goes everywhere you do and fits perfectly in one hand. Staying up-to-dat…

Pandigital Novel 7 Digital Book Reader PRD07T10WWH7 $79.00 The Pandigital Novel 7? Color Multimedia eReader will change the way you curl up with a good book. Whether buying the latest bestseller from Barnes & Noble, downloading free content from the web, or borrowing a book electronically from your library, the Pandigital Novel supports most popular file formats….

Nextbook Next2 7-Inch Color TFT Multifunctional E-book Reader $199.99 NextBook Next2 Touchscreen Reader w/AndroidIf you like reading books, browsing the Internet, listening to music, viewing your favorite photo albums or videos, then the Next2 is your new best friend. Its sleek design, touch screen feature, huge 7″ color display and even WiFi, is just amazing! Next2 comes with 25 FREE, preloaded books. With just one touch, you can open your favorite book and enjoy i…

Honestech VHS to DVD 5.0 Deluxe $45.00 VHS to DVD 5.0 Deluxe is a powerful and effortless video conversion solution.  VHS to DVD 5.0 Deluxe provides everything you need to easily convert your videos to digital formats.  Honest Technology s VHS to DVD is the #1 bestselling all-in-one video converter software and hardware solution!  VIDBOX video capture device included! Easy Wizard Mode for Beginners Transfer your video to…

Microsoft Streets & Trips with GPS Locator 2011 $34.99 Whether you are a heavy-duty traveler, or even if you are just planning simple trips with the family – do it all with Streets & Trips with GPS Locator. This product is faster and easier to use GPS locator than with previous editions of Streets & Trips and it plugs directly into the USB port on your laptop PC. Ready to use immediately….

Roxio Creator 2012 $29.99 Easily enhance preserve and share your digital life with Roxio Creator 2012. Edit video and create DVDs. Create and convert your videos and photos to enjoy on just about any device including smartphones iPhones and iPads.  Fix and enhance photos; improve portraits; create printed photo projects. Copy music; digitize LPs and tapes. Convert audio and video files for mobile playback. Burn back u…

LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer (Green) $83.99 Introducing LeapPad Explorer, the personalized learning tablet just for kids. A built-in camera/video recorder, 100+ games and activities and innovative creativity and reading apps offer limitless learning and endless ways to play.Features include: •A broad curriculum that goes beyond school skills•A built-in camera and video recorder•Skill levels that automatically adjust to each c…