This article explains how to connect an iPad to a computer using the supplied USB cable (the same one you use to charge the internal battery), a Wi-Fi connection or a Bluetooth connection with a Mac. When the iPad is connected to the computer, you can use the iTunes app installed on the latter to transfer music, photos, videos and more from iPad to computer and vice versa.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Using the USB Cable
Step 1. Remove the cable from the wall charger (if necessary)
This is a USB cable that connects to a charger with an electrical plug. Hold the charger with your non-dominant hand, then slide the USB connector out of its port using your dominant hand.
If the iPad USB cable is not connected to any charger, you can skip this step
Step 2. Plug the USB connector of the cable into a free port on your computer
The USB ports have a tapered rectangular shape, very similar to the corresponding cable connector.
- If you're using a portable Mac, it most likely won't have standard USB ports. In that case, you will need to purchase a USB-C to USB 3.0 adapter which you will need to connect to the corresponding port on your Mac and to which you will then connect the USB connector of the cable.
- The USB connectors can only be plugged into their respective ports one way, so if you encounter resistance don't try to force it, just rotate the connector on itself 180 ° and try again.
Step 3. Plug the other end of the USB cable into the communication port on the iPad (the same one you use to charge the battery)
It is located along the underside of the iPad.
Step 4. Launch iTunes on your computer
If iTunes doesn't start automatically, double-click the program icon, which has a multicolored musical note on a white background.
If you haven't installed iTunes on your computer yet, do so now by following the instructions in this article
Step 5. Press the Authorize button that appeared on the iPad screen
This step only needs to be performed the first time the iOS device is connected to the computer. At this point, the iPad is correctly connected to the computer.
If prompted, click the button Continues appeared on the computer screen.
Part 2 of 3: Enable Synchronization Over Wi-Fi
Step 1. Click on the iPad icon
When the connection is complete, an icon of a small stylized iPad should appear in the upper left corner of the iTunes window. Click on the icon indicated to view the information page of the device.
If this is the first time you connect your iPad to this computer, you may need to configure some settings on the page that appeared before you can continue
Step 2. Scroll down the page to the "Options" section
It is placed approximately in the middle of the page.
Step 3. Select the "Sync with this iPad via Wi-Fi" checkbox
It is one of the first items listed in the "Options" section. This way, you can be sure that the iPad will be able to sync with the computer via iTunes and a Wi-Fi connection. Remember that in this case the iOS device and the computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 4. Click on the gray Apply button
It is located in the lower right corner of the iTunes window. In doing so, the changes to the configuration settings will be stored and applied.
Step 5. Click the Finish button
It is blue in color and is located in the lower right corner of the iTunes window. At this point, you should be able to connect to iPad wirelessly directly from iTunes, if the device and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
In the case of some iPad models, the device will need to be charging the battery in order to connect to iTunes via Wi-Fi. This means you will need to plug it into the wall charger
Part 3 of 3: Using the Bluetooth Connection
Step 1. Turn on the iPad's Bluetooth connection
It is not possible to connect an iPad to a Windows computer via Bluetooth, but you can take advantage of this feature on a Mac. In this way, you can transfer data from the device to the Mac and vice versa using a Bluetooth connection. Follow these instructions:
-
Launch the Settings app
Iphonesettingsappicon ;
- Tap the item Bluetooth;
-
Activate the white cursor Bluetooth
Iphoneswitchofficon
Step 2. Access the Mac's "Apple" menu by clicking on the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the computer screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Click on the System Preferences item
It is one of the options listed in the menu that appeared.
Step 4. Click the Bluetooth icon
It is one of the items in the "System Preferences" window. The Bluetooth window will appear.
Step 5. Turn on Bluetooth connectivity if it isn't already
Click on the button Turn on Bluetooth displayed on the left side of the window. If the button is present Turn off Bluetooth, it means that the Bluetooth connection is already available.
Step 6. Find the name of your iPad
Your iPad's name should appear within the list visible in the right pane of the window.
Step 7. Click the Connect button
It is located to the right of the iPad name. The procedure for connecting the iPad to the Mac will begin.
When using some iPad and Mac models, this is the only step required to establish the connection between the devices
Step 8. Press the Connect button that appeared on the iPad screen when prompted
Depending on your iOS device model, you may not need to perform this step. If this is the case, continue reading by ignoring this step of the procedure.
Step 9. Enter the code that appeared on the Mac screen
A PIN may appear on the computer screen and must be entered on the iPad when prompted to complete the pairing process for the two devices.
If not, skip this step
Step 10. Click the Bluetooth icon
of the Mac.
It should have appeared in the upper right corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
If the indicated icon is not present, click on the menu Apple, click on the item System Preferences, click on the icon Bluetooth and finally click on the check button "Show Bluetooth in the menu bar".
Step 11. Click the Browse files on device… option
It is displayed at the bottom of the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 12. Select the iPad
Click on the name of your iOS device in the window that appears, then click on the button Browse.
Step 13. Locate the file you want to transfer to the Mac
Scroll through the contents of the iPad's internal memory until you find the file to transfer.
Step 14. Download the file to your Mac
Click on the icon of the file in question, then click on the button Download. This way, a copy of the selected file will be transferred to the folder Download of the Mac.
Step 15. Transfer a file from Mac to iPad
If you need to transfer a file to iPad, follow these instructions:
-
Click on the icon
Macbluetooth1 of the Mac;
- Click on the option Send files to device;
- Select the file to transfer and click the button Send;
- Select the name of the iPad;
- Click on the button Send;
- The file will be sent to the iOS device and you can find it inside the tab iCloud Drive Files app.
