Transfer files between your iPad and other devices

There are multiple ways to transfer photos, videos, and other files between your iPad and other devices like an iPhone, Mac, or Windows device. You can transfer files wirelessly with features like AirDrop or apps like Mail and Messages, or you can connect your iPad to a computer or an external storage device with a cable, and then transfer or sync files.

You can also use iCloud to store your files, photos, videos, and more, and keep everything up to date on all your devices where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.

Important: Transferring, sharing, or syncing may be restricted for some types of data, such as files saved in an app’s proprietary format, files saved in older software versions, and files protected by copyrights.

Transfer files from your iPad wirelessly

To quickly share a photo, file, or other item from your iPad to a nearby Apple device, you can use AirDrop. See Use AirDrop on iPad to send items to nearby Apple devices.

You can also transfer files from your iPad to another device by sending the file as an attachment in the Mail or Messages app.

Send a file as an email attachment: See Add email attachments in Mail.
Send a file as an attachment in Messages: See Share content in Messages.

Transfer files by connecting iPad with a cable

You can connect your iPad to your Mac or Windows device with a cable to transfer files to your computer, an external storage device, or a file server. When you transfer files to your Mac or Windows device, you can use the Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes, depending on the model and operating system of your computer.

Note: Only files from iPad apps that support file sharing can be transferred.

Transfer files with your Mac (macOS 10.15 or later): Use the Finder. See the Apple Support article Use the Finder to share files between your Mac and your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch.
Transfer files to your Windows device (Windows 10 or later): Use Apple Devices for Windows. See Transfer files between your Windows device and iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch in the Apple Devices User Guide for Windows.
Transfer files to your Mac (macOS 10.14 or earlier) or Windows device (Windows 7 or earlier): Use iTunes. See the Apple Support article Use iTunes to share files between your computer and your iPhone or iPad.
Transfer files to a storage device, a file server, or a service like Box or DropBox: See Transfer files from iPad to a storage device, a server, or the cloud.

Sync your iPad with other devices

You can also connect your iPad to your Mac or Windows device to sync supported content. For example, when you add a movie to your iPad, you can sync so that the movie also appears on your computer. You can sync content like music, movies, TV shows, and more.

When you sync files to your Mac or Windows device, you can use the Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes, depending on the model and operating system of your computer.

Sync content with your Mac (macOS 10.15 or later): Use the Finder. See Sync content between your Mac and iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch in the Mac User Guide.
Sync content with your Windows device (Windows 10 or later): Use Apple Devices for Windows. See Sync your Windows device and iPhone, iPad, or iPod in the Apple Devices User Guide for Windows.
Sync content with your Mac (macOS 10.14 or earlier) or Windows device (Windows 7 or earlier): Use iTunes. See the Apple Support article Use iTunes to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod with your computer.

Automatically keep your files in sync with iCloud

You can store your files, photos, videos, and more in iCloud so you can access them and keep them synced on all your devices as well as supported web browsers. Any change you make to a file on a device that’s signed in to your Apple Account appears on all devices that are signed in to the same Apple Account. For more information, see How iCloud keeps information up to date across all your devices in the iCloud User Guide.

To get started, see Set up iCloud on all your devices in the iCloud User Guide.

Important: OS X 10.10 (or later) or Windows 7 (or later) are required. You must be signed in to the same Apple Account on both your iPhone and your computer, as well as any supported web browsers you might be using. See the Apple Support article System requirements for iCloud.

Helpful?

iPad User Guide

Transfer files between your iPad and other devices

Transfer files from your iPad wirelessly

Transfer files by connecting iPad with a cable

Sync your iPad with other devices

Automatically keep your files in sync with iCloud