5 Surprising Things You Can Do With the USB-C Port on Your iPad

If you’ve got an iPad with a USB-C port, there’s a good chance you mostly just use it to charge. But that tiny port can do so much more — and once you know how, it can seriously level up your iPad experience.

In this post, I’m sharing five practical and easy ways I personally use the USB-C port on my iPad. Whether you’re working, creating content, or just trying to get more out of your devices, these tips will help you unlock features most people don’t even realize exist.

1. Plug in External Storage (and Free Up Space Fast)

Running out of storage? Or need a quicker way to move files between devices? The USB-C port makes this super simple.

Just grab a portable SSD or even a basic USB stick, and plug it directly into your iPad. If the drive uses the older USB-A connection, you’ll just need a USB-A to USB-C adapter.

Once it’s connected, open the Files app. You’ll see the drive pop up under Locations in the sidebar. From there, you can:

Copy photos to your iPad
Transfer large videos off to clear up space
Organize folders just like you would on a computer

This is especially handy if you don’t want to store everything in iCloud, or just want more control over your files.

2. Import Photos & Videos Straight From an SD Card

If you use a camera to shoot photos or videos, being able to quickly review and import footage is a game-changer — especially while travelling.

Here’s what I use:

A USB-C hub with SD and microSD card slots
The Files app on my iPad

Just insert your memory card into the hub, plug the hub into the iPad, and then open the Files app. Your SD card will appear under Locations. You can preview, select, and import exactly what you need.

No need to bring a laptop — your iPad becomes your mobile photo studio.

3. Use Your iPad as a Live Camera Monitor

If you shoot videos with a mirrorless camera or DSLR, you know how hard it is to check focus or framing on those tiny screens.

With a couple of simple tools, you can use your iPad as a live camera monitor:

A micro-HDMI to HDMI cable (from your camera)
A capture card (you can find affordable options on Amazon)
A USB-A to USB-C adapter
The free app Monitor+ from the App Store

Connect your camera’s HDMI output to the capture card, plug that into your iPad using the adapter, and open the Monitor+ app. Your camera feed should show up on the iPad screen.

It’s really helpful for:

Filming YouTube videos
Making sure your shot is in focus
Checking your framing in real time

If you want extra features like remote camera control, there’s a paid version of the app that adds that in.

4. Turn Your iPad Into a Full Desktop Setup

Need to get real work done? You can turn your iPad into a legit desktop workstation with a good USB-C hub.

Look for a hub that has:

An HDMI port (to plug into an external monitor)
USB-A ports (for a wired keyboard/mouse, unless you’re using Bluetooth)
A USB-C power passthrough port (so your iPad charges while everything is connected)

Once it’s all plugged in, you can work from a larger screen, use a full keyboard, and navigate with a mouse or trackpad — making the iPad feel much more like a laptop.

5. Plug Into Ethernet for a Rock-Solid Connection

We’ve all had those moments — spotty Wi-Fi right when you’re trying to upload a big file or hop on a video call. Here’s a fix most people don’t realize exists:

Use Ethernet. Just plug a USB-C to Ethernet adapter into your iPad, connect an Ethernet cable, and you’re instantly online with a fast, stable connection.

This is especially useful for:

Uploading videos or large files
Streaming without buffering
Zoom calls or remote work when Wi-Fi just won’t cut it

Want to See It All in Action?

If you’d like to see exactly how each of these setups works in real time, I’ve put together a video walking through every step.

Gear I Used in This Post:

The links above are Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support my work, so thank you.