5 Ways to Connect a Tablet to a Computer

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 13:47

This wikiHow teaches you how to connect an iPad or Android tablet to a Windows computer or Mac.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Connect an Android Tablet to a Windows Computer Via USB Cable

Step 1. Connect your tablet to your computer using the supplied USB cable

Normally you can use the same cable you use to charge the device. A notification message will appear on the tablet bar.

If your tablet has optical media containing drivers or management software, install it before continuing.
Normally, to connect an Android device to a Windows system, it is not necessary to install any additional software.

Step 2. Select the notification message that appeared on the Android tablet

The list of available connection modes will be displayed.

Step 3. Select the Media Device item

This way you will have the ability to transfer files between your computer and tablet.

Step 4. Press the key combination ⊞ Win + E using the computer keyboard

The "File Explorer" system window will appear.

Step 5. Click on the entry This PC

It is displayed inside the left sidebar of the "File Explorer" window. The list of memory drives and devices connected to the system will be displayed.

Step 6. Double-click the tablet icon

The list of files and folders in the tablet's internal memory will be displayed. You are now ready to transfer data from your computer to your tablet and vice versa, just like you would any other USB memory drive.

Method 2 of 5: Connect an Android Tablet to a Mac Via USB Cable

Step 1. Install the Android File Transfer software on the Mac

In order to access the internal memory of the Android tablet from the Mac, you need to install the free app indicated. Follow these instructions:

Visit the website https://www.android.com/filetransfer using the computer browser;
Click on the button DOWNLOAD NOW to download the installation file;
Open the file androidfiletransfer.dmg (the installation file you just downloaded);
Drag the file Android File Transfer inside the folder Applications;
Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to complete the installation of the program.

Step 2. Connect your tablet to your computer using the supplied USB cable

You can usually use the same cable you use to charge your device or a compatible USB data cable.

Step 3. Launch the Android File Transfer app on the Mac

It is located inside the folder Applications.

Step 4. Select the notification message that appeared on the Android tablet

The list of available connection modes will be displayed.

Step 5. Select the Media Device item

This way you will have the ability to transfer files from Mac to tablet and vice versa.

Method 3 of 5: Connect an Android Tablet to a Windows Computer or Mac Via Wi-Fi Network

Step 1. Install the SHAREit app on your Windows or Mac computer

It is a free program that allows you to connect an Android tablet to any type of computer using a Wi-Fi network. Follow these instructions:

Visit the website https://www.ushareit.com/ using the computer browser;
Click on the link to download the installation file for the operating system of the computer in use;
Double-click the file you just downloaded (uShareIt_official.dmg on Mac or SHAREit-KCWEB.exe on Windows);
Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to complete the installation of the program.

Step 2. Go to the Google Play Store

from the tablet.

The Play Store app should be located within the "Applications" panel of the Android device.

Step 3. Type the keyword shareit into the Play Store search bar

A list of results will be displayed.

Step 4. Tap the SHAREit - Transfer & Share app

It features a blue icon containing three dots and curved lines.

Step 5. Press the Install button

The application in question will be installed on the Android device.

Step 6. Launch the SHAREit program on your computer

It is visible within the section All apps from the Windows "Start" menu or folder Applications on Mac.

Step 7. Launch the SHAREit app on your tablet

It is characterized by a blue and white icon equal to that of the Google Play Store. It is located within the "Applications" panel.

Step 8. Select the Receive option on the tablet

It is displayed at the top of the screen.

Step 9. Press the Connect PC button on the Android device

At this point you can use the SHAREit program on your computer to access the data contained in the tablet's internal memory

Method 4 of 5: Connect an iPad to a Windows Computer or Mac Via USB Cable

Step 1. Install iTunes

If you are using a Mac, this software is already built into the operating system. If, on the other hand, you are using a Windows computer and you have not yet installed it, you will need to do so now by downloading the free installation file from the following URL

If you need help installing iTunes, check out this article

Step 2. Connect iPad to computer using USB cable

You can usually use the same cable you use to charge your device or a compatible USB data cable. This will cause iTunes to run automatically and a notification message should appear on the device screen.

If iTunes does not run automatically, click on the music note icon located on the System Dock (Mac users) or within the section All apps from the "Start" menu (Windows users).

Step 3. Press the Authorize button that appeared on the iPad screen

This way the tablet will be able to communicate with the computer.

You may also need to click on the button Continues appeared on the computer screen.

Step 4. Click on the iPad-shaped button displayed in the iTunes window

It features a small stylized iPad icon and is displayed in the upper left corner of the program window. At this point the iPad is correctly connected to the computer.

Method 5 of 5: Connect an iPad to a Mac Via Bluetooth Connection

Step 1. Turn on iPad Bluetooth connectivity

This procedure only works if you are using a Mac.

Launch the app Settings iPad by tapping the following icon

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;
Select the item Bluetooth;
Activate the "Bluetooth" slider by moving it to the right

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Step 2. Click on the "Apple" menu

of the Mac.

It is located in the upper left corner of the computer screen.

Step 3. Click on the System Preferences item

Step 4. Click the Bluetooth icon

Step 5. Click the Enable Bluetooth button

It is displayed on the left side of the "Bluetooth" window. If you see the "Disable Bluetooth" button, it means that Bluetooth connectivity is already active and your iPad name should be in the right pane of the window.

Step 6. Click on the Connect item displayed next to the iPad name

The latter is displayed on the right side of the "Bluetooth" window.

Step 7. Press the Pair button on the iPad

This way the iOS device will be paired and connected to the Mac.

A numeric code may appear on your computer screen that you will need to enter on your iPad in order to complete the pairing process. Do this if necessary

Step 8. Click on the "Bluetooth" icon

visible on the Mac menu bar.

It is located in the upper right corner of the screen.

If the "Bluetooth" icon is not visible, you will need to add it manually. Click on the "Apple" menu

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select the item System Preferences, click on the icon Bluetooth, then select the check button Show Bluetooth in the menu bar.