Transfer data from old iPad to new iPad Air M2, keep apps

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Transfer data from old iPad to new iPad Air M2, keep apps

I have an iPad 9th generation and I have purchased a newer iPad. It is an iPad Air 13 -inch M2. I transferred my other iPad to this one when I had received it. Now my iPad 9th generation is starting to slow way down charging and I want to transfer the iPads 9th generation apps and data to my iPad Air without erasing the apps on the iPad Air. Can I do this? If so how do I do it? Do I need to use cloud save to restore the apps information on the iPad Air after I transfer the data from the iPad 9th generation? If so can you please walk me through those steps. I am hoping for an easier way of doing this. I hope I have explained what I am wanting to do without confusion. Thank you for any help you can offer. I appreciate it it very much.

iPad Air, iPadOS 26

Posted on Jan 31, 2026 8:25 AM

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LotusPilot

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308,049 points

Jan 31, 2026 12:09 PM in response to 52Carolld

1) Apps cannot be transferred between devices. Purchased Apps are forever associated with the Apple Account that was used to purchase them. Apps already purchased, that remain available and compatible with the target device, can simply be downloaded from the App Store without paying again.

2) Native transfer and backup-restore process require the target device to be reset. Transfer and restore processes effectively replace all Apps and data on the target device.

If both devices are signed-in to iCloud with the same Apple Account - and you synchronise both devices via iCloud, much of the data on your devices will be accessible between devices. On both devices:

Settings > [Your Name /Apple Account] > iCloud > [Saved to iCloud] Show All Apps - enable Apps and services to synchronise

Locally stored files that are not automatically synchronised can be manually moved to iCloud storage.

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Transfer data from old iPad to new iPad Air M2, keep apps

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