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iPad mini Q&A

Published October 27, 2019

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How much internal storage do the iPad mini models have? Is it possible to add external storage? Which external storage option is best for my needs?

All iPad mini models have a fixed capacity and this internal storage cannot be expanded or upgraded subsequently. They do not have an SD card slot.

However, it is possible to add external storage to all iPad mini devices either via the Lightning connector or wirelessly.

Default Internal iPad mini Storage (Skip)

The default storage is provided on the specs page for each iPad mini, but also follows:

iPad mini Model

Model No

Internal Storage

Wi-Fi Only/1st Gen

A1432

16, 32, 64 GB

Wi-Fi/AT&T/GPS - 1st Gen

A1454

16, 32, 64 GB

Wi-Fi/VZ & Sprint/GPS - 1st Gen

A1455

16, 32, 64 GB

Retina/2nd Gen, Wi-Fi Only

A1489

16, 32, 64, 128 GB

Retina/2nd Gen, Wi-Fi/Cellular

A1490

16, 32, 64, 128 GB

Retina/2nd Gen, China

A1491

16, 32, 64, 128 GB

3 (Wi-Fi Only)

A1599

16, 64, 128 GB

3 (Wi-Fi/Cellular)

A1600

16, 64, 128 GB

3 (Wi-Fi/Cellular, China)

A1601

16, 64, 128 GB

4 (Wi-Fi Only)

A1538

16, 32, 64, 128 GB

4 (Wi-Fi/Cellular)

A1550

16, 32, 64, 128 GB

5th Gen (Wi-Fi Only)

A2133

64, 256 GB

5th Gen (Wi-Fi+Cell US/CA)

A2126

64, 256 GB

5th Gen (Wi-Fi+Cell Global)

A2124

64, 256 GB

5th Gen (Wi-Fi+Cell China)

A2125

64, 256 GB


To reiterate, the default internal storage in all of the iPad mini models cannot be upgraded beyond the amount that was installed at the time of purchase.

External iPad mini Storage Solutions

If you would like to add storage to your iPad mini to hold photos and video, it is possible to add an external storage drive to either via its Lightning port or wirelessly.

Best Lightning External iPad mini Storage

Effectively any external storage that works with the iPhone or full-size iPad also will work with the iPad mini, but two small storage devices that connect to the Lightning port like the SanDisk iXpand Drive and SanDisk iXpand Drive Go are quality options.

SanDisk iXpand and iXpand Go
Photo Credit: SanDisk (Left - iXpand Drive; Right - iXpand Drive Go)

Both of these sticks have a USB 3.0 port on one end for use with a traditional computer and a Lightning port on the other end to connect it to an iPad mini.

EveryiPad.com prefers the iXpand Drive's "wrap around" design that tucks out of the way behind the iPad mini when in use, but others may prefer the more traditional "swivel" design that the iXpand Drive Go uses. The iXpand Drive Go is about a 1/3 of an inch shorter and a bit narrower, as well. Capacity options for both sticks are available up to 256 GB.

Best Wireless External iPad mini Storage

Because the iPad mini is small, it seems likely that you might also like the external storage to be small. If so, the well-regarded SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick is the ideal choice, although it is getting harder to find these days.

SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick
Photo Credit: SanDisk (Connect Wireless Stick)

The SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick is a compact USB 3.0 Flash Drive with wireless capability that can support up to three devices at the same time and provide up to 256 GB of extra storage (although the 200 GB configuration is easier to find). It is about three inches tall and less than an inch wide.

iPad mini Storage Summary

By adding external storage to your iPad mini -- either via its Lightning port or wireless connectivity -- it makes it much easier to carry a larger library of music and movies or edit your own photos and video, either one. Accordingly, it is a particularly good option get more out of your existing iPad mini instead of having to buy a new one if storage is the only limitation.


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