HT204668: Locate and organize your iTunes media files

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PhotoGuyMike

Q: An iPad mini I have was synced to an old macbook

An iPad mini I have was synced to an old macbook I gave to my daughter, that computer was completely redone and no longer is in my possession, How can I download the content on that iPad mini to my current windows computer? Only thing I need is books and PDF files that are on it.

Posted on Feb 27, 2016 6:52 PM

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Q: An iPad mini I have was synced to an old macbook

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  • Helpful answers

  • by ManSinha,Solvedanswer

    ManSinha ManSinha Feb 27, 2016 8:19 PM in response to PhotoGuyMike
    Level 6 (10,250 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 27, 2016 8:19 PM in response to PhotoGuyMike
  • by PhotoGuyMike,

    PhotoGuyMike PhotoGuyMike Feb 28, 2016 5:45 AM in response to ManSinha
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 28, 2016 5:45 AM in response to ManSinha

    Nope doesn't work. If I click Sync on iTunes it tells me all date on this iPad will be lost and replaced with what's in this iTunes Library. The problem is that Macbook Pro doesn't exist anymore. It was the same login to the apple account as this one. I don't understand. If I did this, what happened on my Other ipad is all the book will vanish. All that will remain are the books bought through Apple. I have tons of manuals and PDF files I read on that iPad I can't lose.

     

    ipadproblem1.JPG

  • by ManSinha,Helpful

    ManSinha ManSinha Feb 28, 2016 12:34 PM in response to PhotoGuyMike
    Level 6 (10,250 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 28, 2016 12:34 PM in response to PhotoGuyMike

    For the rest of us who aren’t going to be using Mavericks, here’s how to export iBooks from iPhone or iPad to your computer:

    1). Get a file explorer. Usually, iExplorer should do just fine.
    2). Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer and fire up iExplorer
    3). Open your iPhone/iPad as a mounted device and navigate to:
    Media → Books → Purchases

    The funniest thing is that you won’t be able to decipher what file corresponds to what book from your library because, like music, the file names are encrypted. Nevertheless, you can copy stuff now.

    This folder method gives you access to all files including .epub, .pdf and all types you have purchased. You might want to check out epub to pdf converters to make a readable copy of the epub iBooks you’ve got.

    Transfer Purchases:

    There was some suggestion about transferring your iPhone/iPad purchases via iTunes so you get the iBooks on your computer. The problem is, you still can’t open them on your PC like you’d open a normal pdf file. That’s why no normal method works to export pdf from iBooks to PC.

    The software mentioned above has both Mac and Windows versions. Go right here to download iExplorer.

  • by PhotoGuyMike,

    PhotoGuyMike PhotoGuyMike Feb 28, 2016 12:36 PM in response to ManSinha
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 28, 2016 12:36 PM in response to ManSinha

    OK we are making some great headway. Before I buy this program iExplorer let me ask this question, if I do can I just download the PDF files I see there? Seems like they are all showing up fine. Do I have to burn this to a disk or can I just save it to my hard drive and add it to my iTunes library?

  • by ManSinha,

    ManSinha ManSinha Feb 28, 2016 1:10 PM in response to PhotoGuyMike
    Level 6 (10,250 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 28, 2016 1:10 PM in response to PhotoGuyMike

    I would just start with the download first - if that solves your problem - can dispense with the disk burning

  • by PhotoGuyMike,

    PhotoGuyMike PhotoGuyMike Feb 28, 2016 1:12 PM in response to ManSinha
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 28, 2016 1:12 PM in response to ManSinha

    Got them downloaded, thank God I had not updated that iPad Mini and they were still on it. Now I hope I can add them to my iTunes library so when I sync they go back to my iPad.

  • by Ralph9430,

    Ralph9430 Ralph9430 Feb 28, 2016 2:16 PM in response to PhotoGuyMike
    Level 6 (18,171 points)
    Feb 28, 2016 2:16 PM in response to PhotoGuyMike

    You might also just email the PDFs to yourself. Open iBooks on the iPad and then select a PDF. Tap on the share icon. It's the icon that looks like a square with an upward pointing arrow. You should then see the option to Mail. Tap Mail and fill in your email address. Tap send. Then open your email on your computer and receive the emails you sent from the iPad.

  • by PhotoGuyMike,

    PhotoGuyMike PhotoGuyMike Feb 28, 2016 2:33 PM in response to Ralph9430
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 28, 2016 2:33 PM in response to Ralph9430

    Great idea, however, I have 43 files to do it with and some will not allow that form of transfer. When you click on the share all you can choose is print.