transfer individual files from iPad to iMac

Question

Level 1

15 points

transfer individual files from iPad to iMac

How do I view individual files from my iPad in finder on my iMac so I can manipulate each individual file or photo as I wish, moving it to whatever folder I want? I just updated my ipad to 15.3.1 and my iMac is running Monterey. Currently i just have a bunch of sync options available. And if i want to transfer photos i need to use Photos or image capture, if I want to move music I need to use Apple Music and I have no idea how to access the documents stored on my ipad.

I followed this link but I don't see the transfer option in the file menu. Transfer files between iPad and your computer - Apple Support (CA)

I don't want to sync anything I just want to see a list view of all my files, music and documents that I can drag from my iPad finder to my iMac desktop. Any ideas how to do this?

Thanks

iPad (6th gen) WiFi

Posted on Mar 12, 2022 3:20 PM

Reply

Answer 1

etresoft

Level 9

57,972 points

Mar 15, 2022 9:51 AM in response to 123lj0

123lj0 wrote:

I followed this link but I don't see the transfer option in the file menu. Transfer files between iPad and your computer - Apple Support (CA)

There is no transfer option in the file menu. Just look in the Finder sidebar on the left-hand side of a Finder window. Your iPad should be listed there. Click on it to see information about your iPad. Click on then "Files" tab to see all apps with available files. You can then just drag the files from any tap right to your desktop (or any other location).

There is only one trick. For some reason, there is no progress of any kind when transferring files. If you are transferring large files, you can get them corrupt if you try to open them before they have been completed copied. I open Activity Monitor and watch for a "USBMux" (or something like that) process. That process will start up with about 60% of the CPU during the transfer. When it goes away, I know the transfer is complete.

Reply

Answer 2

123lj0 Author

Level 1

15 points

Mar 24, 2022 5:11 PM in response to 123lj0

While what I described would be ideal and I think you can do using a Windows system, it doesn't work like that in the Apple OS. Would be nice if Apple simplified that allowing you to connect ipad and drag and drop files to iMac in future. I called support and they said to use Airdrop which I would say is second best, and very easy to do.

Reply

Answer 3

Mar 13, 2022 11:39 AM in response to 123lj0

Hi 123lj0,

Thanks for coming to Apple Support Communities for help today.

It appears you have seen the correct steps to transfer files. It may be that the apps used to support this. Note:

Alternatively, you can transfer files for apps that support file sharing by connecting iPad to a Mac (with a USB port and OS X 10.9 or later) or a Windows PC (with a USB port and Windows 7 or later).

If the steps under "Transfer files between iPad and your Mac" still aren't working for you, please visit Get Support for a deeper dive into the issue.

Have a fantastic day!

Reply