I have some 128GB of files on my PC that I want to transfer to my 256GB iPad. These files and folders are a mixture of images, videos, music, text i.e anything I stored on an SD card om my Galaxy tablet.
How can I get them on my 9th Gen iPad?
I have connected the iPad to my PC via a USB/Lightening cable. But I can't just copy paste as I would with anything else.
Any advice please?
iPad (9th generation)
To synchronise or transfer files directly between iPad and a Windows PC, you will need to install the most recent version of iTunes for Windows:
Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support
Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support
If you simply wish to exchange files and photos with the iPad from the Windows PC, you might instead consider using iCloud for Windows. When signed-in with the same AppleID, you can simply use iCloud to exchange or synchronise files:
iCloud for Windows
Download iCloud for Windows – Apple Support
Set up and use iCloud for Windows – Apple Support
You can install and use both on the PC. They will happily coexist - and provide considerable flexibility in how you move/share/transfer photos and other documents and data between iPad, iPhone and your PC.
You might also consider copying/moving files using USB storage. For an iPad with a Lightning connector, you’ll require an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A
To provide sufficient power for the USB drive, you’ll need to connect a Power Adapter (charger) rated at least 12W to the auxiliary Lightning port of the Camera Adapter. The iPad, on its own, except for very low power devices, cannot supply adequate power for connected USB storage devices. The Power Adapter supplied with your iPad, with the appropriate cable, is likely to be adequate.
For an iPad with a USB-C connector, you’ll need to connect your iPad and the USB Flash Drive to a powered USB hub.
In all cases, your USB storage must have a single data partition - and be formatted as FAT32, exFAT or APFS. iPad cannot read multi-partition devices, or proprietary device formats (such as NTFS).
To synchronise or transfer files directly between iPad and a Windows PC, you will need to install the most recent version of iTunes for Windows:
Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support
Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support
If you simply wish to exchange files and photos with the iPad from the Windows PC, you might instead consider using iCloud for Windows. When signed-in with the same AppleID, you can simply use iCloud to exchange or synchronise files:
iCloud for Windows
Download iCloud for Windows – Apple Support
Set up and use iCloud for Windows – Apple Support
You can install and use both on the PC. They will happily coexist - and provide considerable flexibility in how you move/share/transfer photos and other documents and data between iPad, iPhone and your PC.
You might also consider copying/moving files using USB storage. For an iPad with a Lightning connector, you’ll require an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A
To provide sufficient power for the USB drive, you’ll need to connect a Power Adapter (charger) rated at least 12W to the auxiliary Lightning port of the Camera Adapter. The iPad, on its own, except for very low power devices, cannot supply adequate power for connected USB storage devices. The Power Adapter supplied with your iPad, with the appropriate cable, is likely to be adequate.
For an iPad with a USB-C connector, you’ll need to connect your iPad and the USB Flash Drive to a powered USB hub.
In all cases, your USB storage must have a single data partition - and be formatted as FAT32, exFAT or APFS. iPad cannot read multi-partition devices, or proprietary device formats (such as NTFS).
You can always try to put the files on a USB drive that you can connect to the iPad. Seeing how you are talking about a 9th Gen iPad it’s going to need to be lightning USB drive as that is the only option to connect to the iPad. You may also find an adapter that can take the Lightning and allow you to plug in a standard USB or USB-C drive. Once you have this drive connected to the iPad you can use the “Files” app to view the files on the USB drive and can then manipulate the files that are on the drive and place them where you would like on your iPad. At this point if you would like to view them you would have to use the “files” app again to be able to view them again given that they are a file that the iPad can work with.
That being said, iTunes for Windows is now available through the Microsoft Store which are indicated as safe and works excellent through Windows, but I understand the need for feeling hesitant. iTunes is going to be the best way to work with your iPad when it is connected to your computer, and is going to be needed for the proper drivers for the iPad to be installed on your computer to be able to manipulate the iPad any further than a storage device which will just allow you to view photos.
ank you for your reply.
It looks like I neeed to be educated in Apple products.
I bought the iPad to improve my browsing experience. My Galaxy tablet is very clunky when browsing a number a website I use on a daily basis. The iPad has helped to ease my browsing.
However I thought that the basics would still be the same. I bought this:-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08S6YBZ1C?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
expecting that I could then use my existing OTG devices e.g.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01788P4TS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
to transfer micro SD card files to the iPad as I do with Windows PCs, digital cameras and Andriod phone/tablets.
If I am reading your reply correctly I see that I need an SD card device with a power connection and that the SD card cannot have any old file setup on it.
I must also loose my reluctance to use iTunes on PCs; this stemmed from my very early experience, many years ago when my wife had an iPod for her portable music, when iTunes first appeared and it ruined my PC setup. So much so that I took the advice then given and reinstalled my OS. I am sure that iTunes will now work without any problems.
A personal problem, which is rare so I do not expect manufacturers normally deal with, is that I have Raynauds so often have cold hands. I have found that wearing silk gloves means that I can operate my Galaxy phones/tablets. Is there an iPad whose screen is sensative in these circumstances?
Sorry but still having trouble.
Installed iTunes for Windows. But still don't know what to do. Found this path "C:\Users\myname\Music\iTunes" nothinmg there.Connected my iPad to my PC with USB to Lightning cable but cannot see the iPad on the PC. Would it be in iTunes if so where.
Also I see that if Apple does 2 stage confirmation it phones my Galaxy mobile. I want to change that so that it just sends a text by default; the only instructions I can find refer to iPhones.
OK got it connected. Has to be directly connected to the Pc not via a hub; had to disconnect my HDD caddy to do this. Will investigate whether I can connect the iPad via wifi.
Send files from PC to iPad
