Nowadays, the iPad is getting thinner with a bigger screen and is becoming a Mac substitute for many users. When using iPad for work or for fun, you must need to transfer files from Mac to iPad at some point.
This guide will show you all possible ways to move files between Mac and iPad. All files, including music, photos, contacts, movies, TV shows, PDF, Word/Excel documents, etc. can be transferred. Just select a method that works best for you.
Transfer Files from Mac to iPad Using iTunes
Insignia™ - 6' USB 2.0 Transfer Cable - Black. Model: NS-PU965XF. User rating, 4.3. ILuv Award Winning High Speed USB Direct File Transfer Cable to Sync/Transfer between Mac and PC, Mac and Mac, PC and PC without External Drive (4ft). However, I’d strongly suggest plugging an Ethernet cable between your new Mac and the Time Capsule to migrate for speed’s sake. Speaking of which: Don’t use Wi-Fi.
Using iTunes is a classic way to transfer files between Mac and iPad, although iTunes is killed in the latest macOS Catalina 10.15. (Check how to sync iPhone/iPad to Mac on macOS Catalina)
If you haven't updated your Mac to the newest macOS 10.15, you can still use iTunes on your Mac to transfer files to iPad.
Sync media files from Mac to iPad
To transfer photo, music, video files from Mac to iPad, you have to sync your iPad with the iTunes library on your Mac, which may delete some existing files on your iPad.
Step 1: Run iTunes on Mac and plug your iPad into Mac. (What to do when iTunes won't recognize your iPad?)
Step 2: Select your iPad in iTunes. Click Music, Photos, Movies or TV Shows and click Sync button on the bottom.
Share documents from Mac to iPad
File Sharing on iTunes enables apps like Pages, Keynote to share files between Mac and iPad. To transfer documents from Mac to iPad:
- Click File Sharing on iTunes;
- All your iPad apps that support File Sharing will show up;
- Select an app and click Add to add files from Mac to iPad.
How to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad without iTunes
Syncing iPad to iTunes library on Mac could wipe some existing files on Mac. That's why many people would like to import files to iPad from Mac without iTunes.
FonePaw iOS Transfer can replace iTunes for iPad files transfer. As a matter of fact, transferring files with the FonePaw tool is much more convenient than iTunes. It won't overwrite the existing files on your iPad and it supports files transfer from iPad back to Mac, too. Moreover, files transfer between iPhone and iPad, iPad and iPod Touch is also possible with FonePaw iOS Transfer.
iPad Pro, iPad Air 3/2, iPad mini 4/3, iPad 2 and any other iPad models are all supported.
Step 1: Connect iPad to Mac
After launching FonePaw iOS Transfer on your MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac or Mac Pro, get you iPad connected to Mac using a USB cable. After detected, your iPad will be shown up in the home window of the program.
Step 2: Move Files from Mac to iPad
Powerdvd for mac free download. Select a category in the left column. For example, select Videos, which will load all video files on your iPad. Click 'Add'. In the pop-up file browser window, navigate to the folder on your Mac where you save video files you want to transfer. Then, click 'Open' to copy movies to your iPad.
Further reading:
How to Put Movies on iPad from Mac
How to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad Wirelessly
If you don't have a USB cable on hand right now, you can also transfer files from Mac to iPad wirelessly without USB cables. That's to use AirDrop to share the files between Mac and iPad.
Although AirDrop comes to handy when transferring one or several files at a time, it is not reliable if you need to move a large number of files between iPad and Mac. You're recommended to use a USB cable if there are numerous files on your Mac to transfer to iPad.
Step 1: Make sure that AirDrop is enabled on both your iPad and Mac.
Step 2: On your MacBook or iMac, open the file, such as a photo, you want to send to iPad. Tap the Share button.
Step 3: When AirDrop displays the name of your iPad, tap the device to receive the files from Mac.
The Mac file will then be transferred to iPad wirelessly.
Migration Assistant copies all of your files to your new Mac so that you don't have to copy your files manually.
- If your files are currently on a Windows PC, follow the PC migration steps instead.
- If your new Mac is using OS X Mountain Lion v10.8 or earlier, follow the Mountain Lion migration steps instead.
Check software, settings, and power
- Install all available Apple software updates on both Mac computers. Install any updates for your third-party apps as well.
- Make sure that your old Mac is using OS X Lion or later.
- Make sure that your old Mac has a computer name: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Sharing and check the Computer Name field.
- Connect both computers to AC power.
Connect the computers to each other
- If both computers are using macOS Sierra or later, just make sure that they're near each other and have Wi-Fi turned on. If either is using OS X El Capitan or earlier, connect them to the same network using Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- Or connect them using target disk mode and the appropriate cable or adapter. Then start up your old computer in target disk mode.
- Or connect your new Mac to a Time Machine backup of your old Mac.
Use Migration Assistant
On your new Mac:
- Open Migration Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
- Click Continue.
- When asked how you want to transfer your information, select the option to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk.
- Click Continue.
On your old Mac:
If you started your old Mac in target disk mode or are migrating from a Time Machine backup, skip these four steps.
If you started your old Mac in target disk mode or are migrating from a Time Machine backup, skip these four steps.
- Open Migration Assistant.
- Click Continue.
- When asked how you want to transfer your information, select the option to transfer to another Mac.
- Click Continue.
On your new Mac:
Mac To Pc Usb Cable
- When asked to select a Mac, Time Machine backup, or other startup disk, click the appropriate icon.
- Click Continue. You might see a security code.
On your old Mac:
If you started your old Mac in target disk mode or are migrating from a Time Machine backup, skip these two steps.
If you started your old Mac in target disk mode or are migrating from a Time Machine backup, skip these two steps.
- If you see a security code, make sure that it's the same code as on your new Mac.
- Click Continue.
On your new Mac:
- Choose the backup to transfer information from.
- Click Continue.
Continuing on your new Mac:
- Select the information to transfer from the backup.
- Click Continue to start the transfer. If you have a lot of content, the transfer might take several hours to finish.
Mac Transfer Cable
In the example above, John Appleseed is a macOS user account. If you transfer an account that has the same name as an account on your new Mac, you're asked to rename the old account or replace the one on your new Mac. If you rename, the old account appears as a separate user on your new Mac, with a separate home folder and login. If you replace, the old account overwrites the account on your new Mac, including everything in its home folder.
Mac To Mac Data Transfer
After Migration Assistant is done, log in to the migrated account on your new Mac to see its files. If you're not keeping your old Mac, learn what to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your old Mac.