Want to AirDrop files from PC to iPad? Discover 5 practical alternatives to transfer photos, videos, music, and documents using USB, web, or cloud.
Apple AirDrop is designed for nearby transfers among supported Apple devices. It relies on Apple services together with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and Apple does not offer an AirDrop app for Windows. Therefore, you cannot use the real AirDrop feature to send a file directly from a Windows PC to an iPad.
However, several tools can provide a similar result. If you want to AirDrop from PC to iPad in the broader sense of quickly sharing files, you can use a USB transfer utility, a browser-based local sharing service, or cloud storage. The best option depends on your file size, internet connection, and whether you prefer a wired or wireless workflow.
AOMEI FoneBackup is a straightforward AirDrop alternative for Windows users who want to transfer files over a USB cable. It is especially useful for large batches because the transfer does not depend on cloud upload speed or available cloud storage.
Download AOMEI FoneBackup and follow the steps below to AirDrop from PC to iPad:
Step 1. Connect the iPad to the PC with a compatible USB cable. Unlock the iPad and tap Trust if the device asks whether to trust this computer.
Step 2. Install and open AOMEI FoneBackup on the Windows PC. Then select Phone Transfer > PC to iPhone > Get Started. This transfer direction also applies when the destination is an iPad.
Step 3. Choose the data category you want to transfer (here I choose Photos). Then click the folder icon to add the photos you want to copy.
Step 4. Review the selected items and click Start Transfer. The transferred photos can be found in the FoneBackup album within the Photos app on your iPad.
In File Explorer, you can’t transfer files from PC to iPhone or iPad but only the other way around. To solve this problem, you can make use of the Apple Devices app.
Step 1. Connect your iPad to the PC. You can connect it using a USB or USB-C cable or a Wi-Fi connection.
Step 2. Install and open the Apple Devices app on your PC. Select your iPad from the sidebar.
Step 3. Click Files in the sidebar to see a list of iPad apps that support file sharing (such as VLC or Documents by Readdle).
Step 4. Drag and drop your files from your Windows PC directly onto the chosen app in the Apple Devices window. You can also click Add File to select files you want to copy from your computer.
Snapdrop is a browser-based local sharing tool with an AirDrop-like workflow. Both devices must be connected to the same local network, but you do not need to install desktop software or upload files to a personal cloud account.
Step 1. Connect the Windows PC and iPad to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 2. On the PC, open a browser and visit the Snapdrop website. Open the same site in Safari on the iPad.
Step 3. Wait until each browser displays the other device. On the PC, select the iPad device icon.
Step 4. Choose the files you want to send and confirm the selection. Leave both browser tabs open while the transfer is in progress.
Step 5. On the iPad, tap Save, Download, or Accept when prompted, then open the downloaded item from Safari or the Files app.
💡 Note: Because Snapdrop-like services are web tools, availability and interface labels may change. For sensitive data, a direct USB method is the more controlled choice.
Google Drive is convenient when the PC and iPad are not on the same network. A standard Google account includes 15 GB cloud storage, so this method works well for documents and moderate-size media files. Upload and download time depends on your internet speed.
Step 1. On the PC, open Google Drive and sign in to your Google account.
Step 2. Click New in the upper-left corner, and then choose File upload or Folder upload.
Step 3. Select the content you want to transfer and click Open. Wait for the upload to finish before closing the browser.
Step 4. Install or open the Google Drive app on the iPad and sign in with the same account.
Step 5. Find the uploaded item. Use the More menu and choose an available option such as Open in, Send a copy, or Make available offline if you want local access.
OneDrive is a natural option for users who already sign in to Windows with a Microsoft account. It provides wireless access to files across the PC and iPad and can keep selected content available offline.
Step 1. On the PC, visit the OneDrive website and sign in.
Step 2. Click Create or upload in the upper-left corner and choose Files upload or Folder upload. Then select the files or folders you want to transfer.
Step 3. Wait until the upload or sync status shows that the files are available in the cloud.
Step 4. Open the OneDrive app on the iPad and sign in with the same Microsoft account.
Step 5. Locate the file and use the More menu to open it in another app, save a copy, or select Make available offline.
1. Can I install Apple AirDrop on Windows?
No. Apple does not provide AirDrop for Windows. Use a USB transfer tool, a local browser service, or cloud storage instead.
2. How can I AirDrop photos from PC to iPad without iTunes?
AOMEI FoneBackup can transfer supported photos over USB, while Snapdrop, Google Drive, and OneDrive offer wireless alternatives.
3. Where do downloaded files go on an iPad?
Browser and cloud downloads usually appear in the Files app, often under Downloads, iCloud Drive, On My iPad, or the cloud provider's location. Photos saved to the library appear in the Photos app.
Now you know how to AirDrop from PC to iPad using five effective tools. AOMEI FoneBackup is a strong choice for fast USB transfers, Apple Devices provides a reliable way to manage iPad backups and syncing on Windows, Snapdrop works for convenient same-network sharing, and Google Drive or OneDrive supports cloud-based access.
Besides data transfer, AOMEI FoneBackup is specialized iPhone backup software. You can use it to backup contacts, photos, videos, messages, and more. Just give it a shot!