# iPad - physical files **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions\ **Tags:** iOS\ **Created:** [October 27, 2026, 10:08am UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624 "2026-10-27T10:08:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RoscoeH](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/roscoeh/32/16887_2.png) [@RoscoeH](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/RoscoeH)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 10:08am UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/1 "2026-10-27T10:08:24Z")
looking at getting a new iPad. Djay runs flawlessly on my phone compared to my old Intel Mac. My question is about physical files. I am in the process of digitising all my old vinyl, how are people getting these into iPad? Don’t think I want to get a 1TB iPad as they get really expensive, are people using an external drive with a usb splitter or another method? ---
**Author:** ![Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/slak_jaw/32/6517_2.png) [@Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Slak_Jaw)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 1:40pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/3 "2026-10-27T13:40:17Z")
Hi @RoscoeH, you don’t need the 1TB iPad. djay for iOS plays music straight from an external drive. Plug the drive in with the right adapter (or a hub if you’re also connecting a controller), then go to **Files \> + \> Add Folder** and pick your music folder. djay doesn’t copy the files. It just points to them where they are, so the drive has to stay connected while you play. You’ll need djay 5.3 or later and an active subscription. One thing to know up front: you can’t search inside the Files source on iOS. The fix is to add those folders to **My Collection** , which you can search. Personally, I keep my most important playlists on the iPad’s internal storage, because that’s one less thing that can fail on you at an important gig. Everything else can live on the drive. If you go with a USB-C hub, get a high-quality one with pass-thru power delivery (PD) from a reputable brand like UGreen, Anker, Baseus, etc.. I hope that helps! ---
**Author:** ![RoscoeH](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/roscoeh/32/16887_2.png) [@RoscoeH](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/RoscoeH)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 2:09pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/5 "2026-10-27T14:09:44Z")
It does thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/slak_jaw/32/6517_2.png) [@Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Slak_Jaw)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 2:38pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/6 "2026-10-27T14:38:44Z")
You’re welcome @RoscoeH. Happy to help! ---
**Author:** ![LaidbackFred](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/laidbackfred/32/50_2.png) [@LaidbackFred](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/LaidbackFred)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2026, 1:28am UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/7 "2026-10-28T01:28:35Z")
I’m with you @Slak_Jaw No drives, iPad, iPhone sync to Mac. No issues. It really puzzles me how this isn’t a thing​🤔 ---
**Author:** ![Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/slak_jaw/32/6517_2.png) [@Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Slak_Jaw)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2026, 2:58am UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/8 "2026-10-28T02:58:09Z")
Thanks for the input @LaidbackFred ---
**Author:** ![daniel\_curley](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/daniel_curley/32/8734_2.png) [@daniel\_curley](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/daniel_curley)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2026, 5:53am UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/9 "2026-10-28T05:53:48Z")
Be aware that the files app in Djay on iOS cannot read sub folders from a main folder, you have to go into each folder individually to add your music to “my collection” or to even load a track to a deck. Also I have heard cases where the files app gets choked if a single folder contains many thousands of tracks. If either of these cases are applicable to you @RoscoeH I Would suggest using iTunes for an easier process. ---
**Author:** ![RoscoeH](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/roscoeh/32/16887_2.png) [@RoscoeH](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/RoscoeH)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2026, 7:28am UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/10 "2026-10-28T07:28:44Z")
I like to use flac. Suppose I could just sync via my laptop. ---
**Author:** ![Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/slak_jaw/32/6517_2.png) [@Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Slak_Jaw)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2026, 12:53pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/11 "2026-10-28T12:53:15Z")
Also good points @daniel_curley. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Richmond\_DJs](https://community.algoriddim.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/f14d63/32.png) [@Richmond\_DJs](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Richmond_DJs)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/12 "2026-11-01T18:41:51Z")
Anytime I’ve ever tried to get music to play off my iPad 10 with USB-C port I get nothing but popping noises with the music. ---
**Author:** ![Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/slak_jaw/32/6517_2.png) [@Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Slak_Jaw)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/13 "2026-11-01T19:48:31Z")
Have you tried a different USB drive @Richmond_DJs ? ---
**Author:** ![Richmond\_DJs](https://community.algoriddim.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/f14d63/32.png) [@Richmond\_DJs](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Richmond_DJs)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 8:12pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/14 "2026-11-01T20:12:27Z")
I’m talking about the iPad itself hooked directly to my mixer. ---
**Author:** ![Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/slak_jaw/32/6517_2.png) [@Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Slak_Jaw)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/15 "2026-11-01T20:22:34Z")
In that case, have you tried a different USB-C cable? Preferably a high-quality, properly shielded one with dual ferrites on either end? If you’re connecting to a USB adapter or Hub, have you tried connecting directly to your mixer instead? ---
**Author:** ![Richmond\_DJs](https://community.algoriddim.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/f14d63/32.png) [@Richmond\_DJs](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Richmond_DJs)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/16 "2026-11-01T20:53:43Z")
Yes, yes. And yes. ---
**Author:** ![Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/slak_jaw/32/6517_2.png) [@Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Slak_Jaw)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/ipad-physical-files/43624/17 "2026-11-01T20:57:10Z")
This sounds like a different issue than this topic. Please create a new Bug Report topic for this and fill in your complete setup details and share a video of the issue. Thanks!