Apple Adds External Drive Formatting to iPadOS 18 Beta: Here's What You Need to Know
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Exciting news from the world of iPadOS! Apple has introduced a fantastic new feature in the iPadOS 18 beta that allows you to format external drives directly from your iPad. This handy update was discovered by Kaleb Cadle, and it’s sure to make managing your files even easier.
Format External Drives on Your iPad
In the latest iPadOS 18 beta, the Files app now includes the ability to reformat external drives. Here’s how it works: when you right-click or long-press on an external drive in the Files app and select "Erase", you'll see new options for reformatting. The current format options available are:
- APFS (with options for Case Sensitive or Encrypted)
- ExFAT
- MS-DOS (FAT)
These are the same format options available in Disk Utility on macOS (minus the macOS-specific extensions, which wouldn’t be relevant for iPadOS).
More New Features in the Files App
But that’s not all! The Files app in iPadOS 18 also gains a new feature called 'Keep Downloaded'. This allows you to choose specific folders to always keep downloaded on your device, ensuring your most important files are always accessible, even without an internet connection.
What’s Next?
It’s still early in the iPadOS 18 beta cycle, so we can expect more exciting features and improvements before the public release. Kaleb Cadle speculates that Apple might introduce additional Disk Utility features to the Files app, such as 'Restore' and 'First Aid'. These would be fantastic additions, making the iPad even more versatile and capable for managing files and storage.
How to Get the Beta
Developers have already been seeded with the first beta of iOS 18, and a second beta is expected soon. If you’re a developer, now is the perfect time to dive in and explore these new features. For everyone else, stay tuned – the public release is just around the corner!
Final Thoughts
The ability to format external drives directly from your iPad is a game-changer, adding yet another layer of functionality to an already powerful device. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who loves staying organized, these updates in iPadOS 18 are sure to make your life a little easier.
