How to Transfer Files from PC to iPad (Pro/Air/Mini)

You might have movies on computer and want to quickly import them to your iPad. Follow this passage to know how to transfer files from PC to iPad with iTunes or other tools.

Dylan

By Dylan / Updated on June 9, 2023

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Need to transfer files from Windows PC to iPad?

iPad is the most popular tablet smart device in the world. With a large screen and great hardware. Apple introduces standard iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Mini to satisfy various demands. Now iPad has become an important part of people's life and work.

ipad 2022

Sometimes, you may want to transfer some files, like videos/movies, word, and excel to your iPad. from your Windows computer, so you can work and enjoy freely and flexibly. 

 

Can I transfer files from PC to my iPad Air 4?

I like watching movies on my iPad Air 4 when I am on a trip or lying in bed. It is easy and convenient. So I want to copy movies to my iPad for later use. Is there any way to do that? Thanks very much!

- Question from Apple Community

If you have the same need or problem, please check out the following contents to learn how to transfer files from Windows PC to iPad.

Part 1. How to transfer files from PC to iPad (Air/Pro/Mini) without iTunes

When it comes with sync files between PC and iPad, iTunes is the old way. But because iTunes may overwrite the existing data and it is not intuitive and logical as the matter of syncing, lots of users would like to try other methods. 

Here we would like to introduce 4 methods of transferring movies, files, photos, videos, etc to iPad without iTunes. And also demonstrate the traditional way to sync data with iTunes.

Method 1. Easiest way to transfer files from PC to iPhone

To share files between computer and iPad, here we recommend FoneTool, which is one of the best and fastest apps to transfer photos, videos, and music between iPad and computer in a very short time. It comes with various features and advantages making it to be the best choice.

• Easy-to-use interface: FoneTool uses an intuitive interface to simplify the transferring process. You can easily add your files to your iPad.
• No data loss: Unlike iTunes, it will not affect the existing data on your device after saving data to it.
• Great compatibility: It fully supports all iPad versions and models. You can transfer files from PC to iPad, iPad Pro (including 2022 iPad Pro M2), iPad Air, iPad Mini, as well as iPhone and iPod Touch.

Step 1. Download FoneTool and connect iPad to computer with USB cable.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 2. Select "Phone Transfer" on the left pane. Move the cursor to "PC to iPhone", and click Start Transfer.

Transfer to iPhone

Step 3. Click the plus icon to select music, videos, contacts, or photos to your iPad, iPad Air/Mini/Pro.

select data

Select Files

Step 4. Then click Start Transfer to import files to your iPad.

transfer

Besides data transferring, FoneTool is also the best iPhone data backup software. You can backup and restore photos, videos, music, contacts, and messages. More importantly, it can create a complete backup or incremental backup (only backup changed and added files) to save time and space. Backup iPhone and your data will be always safe.

Method 2. Transfer photos and videos from PC to iPad via Files Explorer

File Explorer (Windows Explorer in Windows 7) is a tool that helps users to view files on PC or external storage. You can connect your iPad as an external storage device. Then you can move photos and videos from PC to your iPad.

Note: File Explorer only transfers photos and videos to iPad, iPad Pro/Air/Mini.

Step 1. Connect your iPad with your PC. Go to "This PC". There would be a device/drive named with your iPad. Open it.

Step 2. On your iPad folder, go to "Internal Storage" > "APPLE100" > "DCIM". You will see all photos and videos listed in this folder.

Step 3. Drag and drop your photos on your PC to this folder.

Then you can go to the Photos app on your iPad to check if these photos are transferred. 

If you don't see DCIM, you can refer to this post to fix: Fix iPhone Internal Storage not Showing or Empty DCIM Folder.

Method 3. Transfer files from PC to iPad with iCloud wirelessly

iCloud is a cloud-based backup service for Apple users. Each Apple ID can have 5GB free storage space. If you want to transfer files from PC to iPad without cable, you can upload your files from iCloud website and sync them to your iPad.

Step 1. Open a browser and go to iCloud.com, and Log in with your Apple ID and passcode.

Step 2. Click the iCloud Drive option

Step 3. Click the Upload button select the files you need.

upload files to icloud drive

Step 4. Open your iPad, and go to the “Files” app > Tap the “Browse” tab > Choose “iCloud Drive”. And you can view all files you just uploaded that will be listed on your iPad.

Method 4. Transfer files from PC to iPad with Google Drive

Besides the Apple official iCloud storage, there is many other cloud drive working like iCloud. For example, Google Drive. It is one of the most common cloud services provided by Google. And it gives you more free storage space. Here are how it works.

Step 1. Upload files from computer to Google Drive

1. On your PC, go to https://drive.google.com/ using your web browser.

2. Click the New button on the top left corner.

3. Then choose "File upload"/"Folder" to select the files you need.  

google drive upload

Step 2. Add uploaded files to your iPad.

1. Download and install Google Drive on the App Store and sign in.

2. Here you can check the uploaded files on your iPad.

Part 2(Method 5). How to transfer files from PC to iPad with iTunes

iTunes is the official tool helping users to sync files to their iPad. If you have had this iPad for some time and synced some files before, then the later syncing operation will cause data loss on your iPad.

In this situation, you can use its “File Sharing” feature that allows users to conveniently and quickly transfer files between your computer and iPad. Below is how to use it to transfer files from Windows PC to iPad.

Step 1. Download and install the Windows version of iTunes on your computer. Connect your iPad Mini, Pro or Air to your computer using the USB cable that comes with your device.

Step 2. Open iTunes on your Windows PC, click the “iPad” button near the top left of the iTunes window.

Step 3. Click “File Sharing” under the Settings section in the left sidebar.

Files Sharing

Step 4. Now, you can see a list of apps that can transfer files between your iPad and computer. Then click an app to reveal its inside documents on the right side.

Choose App

Step 5. Click “Add” button on the right bottom. And in the subsequent window, choose files on your computer to transfer/add to the selected app on your iPad. You can choose individual files, a group of selected files, or a folder of files.

Add Files

Note: If you want to transfer a file from your iPad to your computer, please select the target file in the right list, click “Save,” select a location to save the file, then click “Save To”.

Final words

File transfer between iPad and PC is something we all need in one moment. On this page, we provide 3 methods of how to transfer files from PC to iPad, iPad Air, Mini, Pro with or without iTunes (using FoneTool, iCloud).

By contrast, FoneTool can be the best choice with its easy-to-use interface and fast transfer speed. And it also helps you to transfer photos from iPad to external drive, flash drive, and PC.