How do I download pdf files to my iPad mini?

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Level 1

8 points

How do I download pdf files to my iPad mini?

In a previous version of iTunes, I used to be able to drag and drop pdf files to my ipad from my PC after adding them to the Library. With the latest version of iTunes, this "capability" seems to have evaporated. Why did Apple do this and who was the mental-midget that made the decision to do away with this capability?

I have tried mailing them to myself from my PC, picking up the mail on my iPad, but all I get is an ability to download the pdf to a "drive". To my knowledge, there is no "drive" on my iPad, so I do not know where the pdf goes when I click on the button. There does not seem to be anyway to get the pdf off the e-mail and into the "iBooks" part of the iPad. ITunes seems to only be able to download music files.

Thus the question - how do I get pdf files off my desktop Windows (V. 7) PC and on to my iPad mini? Any insight that anyone can provide as to how to make this happen easily, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Ron

iPad Mini, iOS 8.1, PV runs under Windows 7.1 64 bit

Posted on Nov 19, 2014 11:30 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Courcoul

Level 6

18,684 points

Nov 20, 2014 1:21 AM in response to Digital 1DX

If you are using and already have iTunes set up for managing your device, click on the Apps item on the left column when in the device's window. On the top part of the window you'll see how your apps are arranged on the various screens (can install/remove them or rearrange the screens there). Scroll down past that and you will find the File Sharing section. Scroll down to whatever app you want to use for viewing PDFs (i.e., the free Reader app). You will then see what files that app has associated and stored in its private space. There you can upload (Add..), download (Save to…) files from the device, or delete them by pressing the Delete key.These files do NOT need to be in any Library.

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Answer 2

Digital 1DX Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 20, 2014 8:24 AM in response to Courcoul

If you are using and already have iTunes set up for managing your device, click on the Apps item on the left column when in the device's window. On the top part of the window you'll see how your apps are arranged on the various screens (can install/remove them or rearrange the screens there). Scroll down past that and you will find the File Sharing section. Scroll down to whatever app you want to use for viewing PDFs (i.e., the free Reader app). You will then see what files that app has associated and stored in its private space. There you can upload (Add..), download (Save to…) files from the device, or delete them by pressing the Delete key. These files do NOT need to be in any Library.

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Courcol, are you talking about a display I would see on my iPad, or one I would see on my PC. I have never seen this display. When I open iTunes on my PC, a get a screen that wants to deal with my music - nothing else - in fact, I am not even sure how I would get to anything that will let me deal with my "e-books" library. All I seem to be able to get is "music". I find this whole thing very frustrating as something this simple, should not be this difficult - why they changed the process from the previous version of iTunes, I will never, ever understand.

It is beginning to look like iCloud or Dropbox may be the best of the worst, so to speak.

1D X

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Answer 3

Nov 21, 2014 1:17 AM in response to Digital 1DX

No, you can't use iCloud drive since your computer is Windows, not Mac with Yosemite, the OS X 10.10. I don't think that PDF can't be synced to iPad. I have put 2 PDF eBooks on my iPad yesterday. Here is way:

Step 1. Make sure you've installed the latest iTunes on your computer. Otherwise, go to Apple official site to download the latest one.

Step 2. Drag and put PDF files to your iTunes Library. Click the book icon on iTunes > in the right side, click 'My PDFs' to check whether the PDF files you need are added.

Step 3. Connect your iPad with your computer via the USB cable. Click on your device. In the left sidebar, click Books. On the right, check ‘Sync Books’, check 'Selected books' > select PDF files and click 'Apply'.

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Answer 4

bobseufert

Level 6

15,904 points

Nov 20, 2014 12:18 AM in response to Digital 1DX

The Drive is probably the new iCloud Drive. My method to save to iBooks is to hold my finger on the PDF thumbnail then tap open in iBooks.

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Answer 5

bobseufert

Level 6

15,904 points

Nov 20, 2014 12:49 AM in response to Digital 1DX

When you email the PDF to yourself does it arrive as a thumbnail if so hold your finger on the thumnail until the window opens up.

Also you can tap the thumbnail to open it, tap the PDF, then tap the share icon(box with arrow) in the upper right corner.

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Answer 6

Digital 1DX Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 20, 2014 12:57 AM in response to Digital 1DX

When you email the PDF to yourself does it arrive as a thumbnail if so hold your finger on the thumnail until the window opens up.

Also you can tap the thumbnail to open it, tap the PDF, then tap the share icon(box with arrow) in the upper right corner.

This seems to work, but it means that I can only download one pdf file at a time - what an ugly process! I wish I could get my old version of iTunes back.

1D X

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Answer 7

Diavonex

Level 9

67,259 points

Nov 20, 2014 12:40 AM in response to Digital 1DX

You can also copy and paste PDF file to iCloud Drive (on computer) and open and save files on iPad with GoodReader.

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Answer 8

Diavonex

Level 9

67,259 points

Nov 20, 2014 12:47 AM in response to Digital 1DX

Copy and paste PDF file to iCloud Drive and open/save file on iPad with GoodReader.

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Answer 9

Diavonex

Level 9

67,259 points

Nov 20, 2014 12:35 AM in response to Digital 1DX

Email file to iPad and open and save with Adobe Reader.

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Answer 10

Diavonex

Level 9

67,259 points

Nov 20, 2014 1:46 AM in response to Digital 1DX

If you do not want to pay for GoodReader, you can use Dropbox on iPad to open/save your PDF in iCloud Drive.

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Answer 11

Diavonex

Level 9

67,259 points

Nov 20, 2014 12:59 AM in response to Digital 1DX

You have to download and install iCloud for Windows on your computer (it's free).

You have to buy the GoodReader App.

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Answer 12

Diavonex

Level 9

67,259 points

Nov 19, 2014 11:59 PM in response to Digital 1DX

Open and save PDF file to Adobe Reader.

https://appsto.re/sg/Cxy-B.i

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Answer 13

bobseufert

Level 6

15,904 points

Nov 20, 2014 1:05 AM in response to Digital 1DX

If you can't transfer them by iTunes and you don't like the email method why not use DropBox ?

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Answer 14

Digital 1DX Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 20, 2014 12:41 AM in response to bobseufert

1. How do I get access to iCloud, if it is, in fact, the "drive" that is being referred to?

2. I do not get a display that even begins to look like what you have shown.

I think I need a "play-by-play" description of the process. Thanks.

Ron

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Answer 15

Digital 1DX Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 20, 2014 12:48 AM in response to Diavonex

How does Adobe Reader know where the file is, i.e., how does it know to get it from my e-mail? I have Adobe Reader on my iPad, but it doesn't seem to know what to do, so how do I get this to work?

Ron

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