For us we discovered that the issue is not related to the iOS version but rather the model of the iPads. We tested an M2 iPad Pro running iOS 17 and another running iOS 18, and the drivers are present in the App Settings. However, on an iPad M4 with the same iOS version (17 and 18) the driver doesn't not appear. I then tried updating the iPad M4 to iOS18.1 Beta and the driver is back.

I've got the same problem, did anyone got to fix the problem?

Well, I end up creating a ticket to Apple directly to double check this. As I was expecting, there is not such functionality, the External accessory communication in Background Modes only works with MFi devices. So drivers made with driverKit won't work in the background: We have reviewed your request and have concluded that there is no supported way to achieve the desired functionality given the currently shipping system configurations. I hope it helps someone else.

Is there any solution for this?

Same problem with Monterey using:    os_log(OS_LOG_DEFAULT, "%s", __FUNCTION__);

Is there any plans to add documentation and examples specifically for iPadOS16?

Just to clarify this device would be a class-compliant USB device

So if I want to connect a device to the iPad using the USB protocol, I will still have to create a driver (USB driver) or it in DriverKit? So Apple doesn't provide a USB driver?

Is this gonna change when iPadOS16 becomes a non beta release? My understanding is that to be able to communicate with devices with USB drivers we should use IOKit, so we don't have to create a USB driver, is that right? or we will have to create our own USB driver with DriverKit?

Any idea how can I use IOUSBDeviceInterface in iPadOS 16? Thanks

So IOUSBDeviceInterface doesn't suppose to work in iPadOS 16? if not what can I use instead?

Same it's happening to me, I can't use IOKit framework. I've followed the same steps posted by @myurik2