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Guide on How to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad

By Vernon Roderick, Last updated: January 7, 2023

An iPad is a tablet produced by Apple which runs on iOS same as the famous iPhone and iPod devices. You can do many things on an iPad which you do on a computer. A great advantage is that iPad is a portable tablet, easy to use, and light to carry even when traveling. With it, you can play movies, music, games, browse the web, communicate, manage files and apps, and a lot more. When you need to transfer files from mac to ipad, this article will guide you which presents different ways on how to do the job. For a more convenient approach, FoneDog Phone Transfer will help you do the file transfer easily.

Part 1. Best Software to Transfer Files from Mac to iPadPart 2. How to Transfer Files to iPad Using iTunes With USB Connection File Sharing AppsPart 3. How to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad over Wi-Fi ConnectionPart 4. How to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad Using AirDrop in MacPart 5. How to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad Using iCloudPart 6. In Summary

Part 1. Best Software to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad

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Part 2. How to Transfer Files to iPad Using iTunes With USB Connection File Sharing Apps

This section provides detailed steps to guide you on how to transfer files to an iPad using iTunes installed on your Mac PC via a USB cable connection.

Make sure that the iTunes application is in the latest version as well as your Mac OS. Your iPad device must also be in the latest iOS version and works with File Sharing.

How to get the most recent version of the iTunes application:

Step 01: On your Mac computer, launch the iTunes application.

Step 02: Go to the iTunes menu and select Check for Updates.

Step 03: iTunes will check for the most recent updates of the application. It will prompt you to install the latest version. Follow the instructions on the screen until the installation is done.

Transfer Files to iPad Using iTunes

How to transfer the files to iPad using iTunes File Sharing Apps:

You can transfer files from Mac to iPad using the iTunes file sharing feature. If you do not see the File Sharing option on the left sidebar, it means that your device has no file-sharing apps.

Step 01: Launch the iTunes application on your computer.

Launch the iTunes Application

Step 02: Plug in your iPad device to your Mac computer using the USB cable connection.

Step 03: Tap on “Trust this computer” on your device when prompted.

Step 04: When your iPad is connected and recognized by iTunes, click on the Device button found on the upper left corner of the window.

Step 05: On the left pane in iTunes, click on File Sharing.

Step 06: On the right, select the file-sharing app on your device to transfer files from Mac to iPad.

Step 07: On the Documents list, click on the Add button.

You can also transfer files from Mac to iPad by dragging and dropping the files from your Mac drive to the Documents list and copy them to iPad.

Step 08: Select the files that you wish to transfer.

Step 09: Click on the Add button.

Step 10: Click Sync.

Step 11: Wait until the file transfer process is complete making sure that a good connection is established between your iPad and Mac computer.

How to sync transfer files from Mac to iPad via Finder:

Step 01: Plug in your iPad device to your Mac computer using a USB cable or a Wi-Fi connection.

Step 02: Go to Finder.

Step 03: Select your iPad device under Locations.

Step 04: On the menu bar, click on the Files button. This lists the file-sharing apps on your device.

Step 05: Select a file that you wish to transfer and drag the file from the Finder window to the app.

Step 06: Click on the arrow beside the app name to see the files that are successfully transferred.

How to transfer files from Mac to iPad using iTunes:

Step 01: Launch the iTunes application on your Mac computer.

Step 02: Plug in your iPad device to your Mac computer using the USB cable connection.

Step 03: Tap on “Trust this computer” on your device when asked.

Step 04: When your iPad is connected and recognized by iTunes, click on the Device button found on the upper left corner of the window.

Step 05: Go to the File menu and select Add to Library. This will allow you to browse the files that you want to transfer to your iPad and add them to the iTunes Library.

Transfer Files from Mac to iPad using iTunes

Step 06: On the left pane of your iTunes, click iPad under Devices.

To unhide the left pane or sidebar in iTunes, go to the View menu and select Show Sidebar.

Step 07: When your iPad is connected and iTunes recognizes the device, click your iPad device name located in the top left corner.

Step 08: On the left pane, select the options such as Music or Movies under Settings. This will open the iTunes library.

Step 09: On the right, tick the Sync Movies or Sync Music box.

Step 10: Click the Apply button found at the lower part of the window.

Step 11: Go to File Explorer.

Step 12: Navigate to the location where you store your files for transfer.

Step 13: Select the files that you want to transfer to your iPad.

Step 14: Drag and drop the files to the Movies or Music Library in iTunes. This will now transfer files to the iPad.

Step 15: A progress bar will show the status of the file transfer to iPad. Wait until the transfer process is complete making sure that a good connection is established between your iPad and the computer.

Step 16: When the transfer process is now complete, exit from iTunes. Disconnect your iPad device from the computer and check to see if the files are now transferred to your iPad successfully.

Part 3. How to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad over Wi-Fi Connection

This section provides step-by-step instructions to help you on how to transfer files to an iPad using iTunes installed on your Mac PC over a Wi-Fi connection. Make sure that you have the most recent version of iTunes installed on your PC.

How to set your iPad to connect wirelessly with your computer when doing file transfer:

Step 01: Plug in your iPad device to your Mac computer using the USB connection cable.

Step 02: Launch the iTunes application.

Step 03: On the left pane, click iPad under Devices.

Step 04: When your iPad is connected and iTunes recognizes the device, click your iPad device name located in the top left corner.

Step 05: On the left pane, go to the Summary tab.

Step 06: Scroll down to Options, check the Sync with this iPad over the Wi-Fi box.

Step 07: Click the Apply button found at the bottom part of the window.

Step 08: Unplug your iPad from the computer.

How to transfer files from Mac to iPad with a wireless connection:

Step 01: Set the Wi-Fi connection of your iPad to be the same as your Mac computer.

Step 02: Launch the iTunes application on your computer.

Step 03: On the left pane of your iTunes, click iPad under Devices.

Step 04: When your iPad is connected and iTunes recognizes the device, click your iPad device name located in the top left corner.

Step 05: On the left pane, go to the Summary tab.

Step 09: Go to the location where you store your files for transfer.

Step 10: Select the files that you want to transfer to your iPad.

Step 11: Drag and drop the files to the Music or Movies Library in iTunes. This will now transfer files to the iPad.

Step 12: A progress bar will show the status of the file transfer to iPad. Wait until the transfer process is complete making sure that a good connection is established between your iPad and the computer.

Step 13: When the transfer process is now complete, exit from iTunes. Disconnect your iPad device from the computer and check to see if the files are now transferred to your iPad successfully.

Part 4. How to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad Using AirDrop in Mac

This section will teach you the process of how to use AirDrop in iOS that enables you to easily send a few files wirelessly from your Mac PC to a nearby iPad. It can do the transfer of files one by one.

How to set up the devices to use AirDrop:

  1. Make sure that the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings are turned on from your iPad device.
  2. The Personal Hotspot setting must be turned off.
  3. The iPad device must be using iOS 7 or later versions.
  4. The Mac PC must be introduced in 2012 or later and is using OS X Yosemite or later versions.
  5. The iPad device should be within 30 feet or 9 meters in distance from the computer.
  6. The iPad device should be able to receive AirDrop requests.

How to transfer files from Mac to iPad with a wireless connection using AirDrop:

Step 01: Go to Finder.

Step 02: On the left pane, select AirDrop.

Step 03: It will display the AirDrop users nearby. Drag and drop the file that you wish to send to the AirDrop user, in this case, your iPad device.

Step 04: On your iPad, you will receive a notification message of an AirDrop request. Tap Accept to start the file transfer and save the file to the Downloads folder.

-OR-

Step 01: Open the file that you want to transfer.

Step 02: Click the Share button on the AirDrop app. You can also control-click on the file in the Finder and click Share on the shortcut menu.

Step 03: From the sharing options displayed in the window, select AirDrop.

Step 04: Choose your iPad as the recipient of the file being sent.

Step 05: On your iPad, you will receive a notification message of an AirDrop request. Tap Accept to start the file transfer and save the file to the Downloads folder.

Part 5. How to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad Using iCloud

This section discusses a simple process on how to transfer files from Mac to iPad with the use of iCloud. You must have an account in iCloud and enabled on your iPad.

Step 01: Launch the web browser in your Mac computer and go to iCloud.com

iCloud to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad

Step 02: Log on to iCloud with your Apple ID email and password.

Step 03: Click on iCloud Drive.

Step 04: On the top of the window, click on the Upload icon.

Step 05: The Finder window appears. Select the file that you wish to upload to iCloud.

Step 06: Click the Open button and wait until the files are uploaded successfully to iCloud.

Step 07: On your iPad device, open the Files app.

Step 08: Tap on the Browse tab.

Step 09: Tap on the iCloud Drive under Locations.

Step 10: Tap on the Select on the top right corner.

Step 11: Tap on the file that you want to transfer to your iPad.

Step 12: Tap on the Move button.

Step 13: Tap on the On My iPad button.

Step 14: Select the folder that you want to save the files.

Step 15: Tap on the Move button. The selected file will be moved to your iPad folder.

People Also ReadHow to Transfer iPhone Files to PCHow to Transfer Files from iPhone to iPhone

Part 6. In Summary

An iPad tablet is a portable device with functions like that of a computer. You can store your files, play videos, music, games, browse on the web, exchange emails, install apps and many more features that you can do. If you need to transfer files from Mac to iPad, this article is for you which contains several methods that you can follow for file transfer. A valuable tool called FoneDog Phone Transfer can also help you to easily transfer files from Mac to iPad.

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Vernon Roderick

Technical Expertise for PC/Website Optimization

One of my passion is to develop software of my own

I write articles to share knowledge about IT technology and some experience in developing my own software, and developing my own software is one of my passions for work.

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