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
;
- Select the item Bluetooth;
-
Activate the "Bluetooth" slider by moving it to the right
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
Macapple1 select the item System Preferences, click on the icon Bluetooth, then select the check button Show Bluetooth in the menu bar.
Step 9. Click the Browse files on device… option
It is displayed at the bottom of the "Bluetooth" menu.
Step 10. Select the iPad and click the Browse button
At this point you can consult the list of files stored on the iPad directly from the Mac.
