Q: Unable to Transfer PDFs from MacBook to iPad
I have a 2012 13-inch MacBook Pro running on OS X El Capitan, version 10.11.6. I also have a 2014 iPad Air running on iOS, version 9.3.4. I am trying to transfer PDFs from the MacBook to the iPad. However, when I attempt to use iTunes to sync selected PDFs, the following message comes up:
"Are you sure you want to remove existing music, movies, TV shows, books, and tones from this iPad and sync with this iTunes library? Music, movies, TV shows, books, and tones synced to [name of iPad] from other iTunes libraries will be removed and items will be synced from this iTunes library."
The message offers two options: "Cancel" or "Remove and Sync."
Having done some research on this issue, I understand that the problem is that my iPad is supposedly linked to a different iTunes library. In point of fact, however, my iPad has always been linked to the same iTunes library. I assume that the "confusion," if you will, stems from the fact that I recently changed my Apple ID because my original Apple ID was giving me problems (the iPad was constantly asking me to type in my Apple ID password).
Essentially, my question is as follows: What happens if I click "Remove and Sync?"
Will all of the music on my iPad be removed and replaced with all of the music on my MacBook? I do not want this to happen. I have many, many more songs on my MacBook than I do on my iPad. I do not want all of these songs on my iPad, due to space constraints on the iPad. (I have set iTunes so that my music will not automatically sync whenever I connect the iPad to the MacBook).
Or, will I only lose the PDFs I have on my iPad, which will be replaced with the PDFs I sync to the iPad? (After all, I am only asking the system to sync PDFs, not anything else). I would not mind this scenario too much, as I currently do not have that many PDFs on the iPad anyway.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
iPad Air, iOS 9.3.4
Posted on Aug 25, 2016 5:35 PM
Community Specialists
Hello Jack,
Thanks for your question. I understand you are wanting to sync PDFs from your MacBook Pro to your iPad Air. However, as you changed your Apple ID, the computer thinks you are trying to sync your iPad to a different iTunes Library.
If you have not backed up your iPad, I would suggest you do that first. Then, confirm what you want to sync from iTunes again, and choose "Remove and Sync." This will replace the contents of your iPad with only the items you selected to sync from your iTunes Library.
Below are some resources regarding managing PDFs using the iBooks application. Perhaps one of these methods will be easier for you.
Use iBooks with PDF documents on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
Use iCloud Drive or iBooks to access your PDF files, ePub files, and books
Have a great day!
Posted on Aug 26, 2016 3:21 PM