Connect external devices or servers with Files on iPad
https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/connect-external-devices-or-servers-ipad1c415e32/ipados
https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/connect-external-devices-or-servers-ipad1c415e32/ipados
That looks promising. In practice, is the iPad going to copy any file I wish to access onto the iPad before launching an application to view/listen to the media? Or will those files remain only on the server?