iPads borrow a useful macOS feature with iPadOS 18
While Apple didn't mention it at WWDC, iPadOS 18 quietly introduces a new feature that brings its capabilities closer to macOS: formatting external drives.
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| iPadOS 18 |
American developer Caleb Cadle discovered this handy addition within the Files app. Users can now format external storage directly from their iPads, a feature previously exclusive to Macs.
To do this, simply long-press on the external drive's icon within the Files app and select the "Erase" option from the context menu. You can choose between APFS, ExFAT, and MS-DOS (FAT) formats.
This feature is currently available to iPad users enrolled in the developer beta program. The stable release of iPadOS 18 is expected to arrive in Fall 2024.