How to connect iPad to computer (with pictures)

This article will show you how to connect your iPad to your computer using a charging cable, wireless, or Bluetooth (on a Mac computer). When you connect your iPad to your computer, you can use the computer version of iTunes to transfer music, photos, videos, and other files between your iPad and your computer.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Using the charging cable

Step 1. Remove the charging cable from the charging adapter

The charging cable is a regular USB cable that connects to the charging adapter. Unplug the charging cable from the charging adapter by pulling on the USB plug of the cable.

If the charging cable is not connected to the charging adapter, skip this step

Step 2. Insert the USB plug of the charging cable into a USB port on your computer

• Mac notebooks do not have standard (rectangular) USB ports. So buy a USB / C to USB 3.0 adapter and then plug it into one of the oval USB ports on the side of your laptop.
• There is only one way to insert the USB plug into the USB port. If you are unable to insert the USB plug into the USB port, flip the plug 180 degrees and try again.

Step 3. Connect the other end of the charging cable to iPad

The iPad charging port is located on the bottom of the iPad case.

Step 4. Launch iTunes on your computer

If iTunes doesn't open automatically, double-click the multicolored musical note icon.

If you don't have iTunes on your computer, install it

Step 5. Click Trust on iPad

This option will only appear if this is the first time you connected your iPad to your computer. The tablet is now connected to the computer.

When prompted on your computer, click Continue

Part 2 of 3: Enable Wireless Sync

Step 1. Click on the iPad icon

This iPad-shaped icon appears in the upper-left side of the iTunes window a few seconds after the tablet is connected. The iPad content page will open.

If this is your first time connecting your iPad to this computer, you may need to set your iPad options first

Step 2. Go to the "Options" section

It's in the middle of the page.

Step 3. Check the box next to "Sync with iPad over Wi-Fi"

It's near the top of the Options section. IPad and iTunes on computer can now sync with each other wirelessly (if both computer and tablet are on the same network)

Step 4. Click Apply

It's a gray button in the lower-right corner of the iTunes window. The changes will take effect.

Step 5. Click Finish

It's a blue button in the lower-right corner of the iTunes window. You can now connect to iTunes wirelessly if iTunes is running on your computer and your iPad is connected to the same network as your computer.

Some iPads require a certain level of battery power to connect to iTunes over a wireless network. In this case, connect the iPad to a power source, such as a charging adapter in an electrical outlet

Part 3 of 3: Using Bluetooth

Step 1. Turn on Bluetooth on iPad

You won't be able to connect your iPad to a Windows computer via Bluetooth, but you can do it if you have a Mac. For this:

• launch the "Settings" app

• 

  ;

• click "Bluetooth";
• tap the white slider next to "Bluetooth"

• 

Step 2. Open the Apple menu

on the computer.

Click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner of the screen.

Step 3. Click System Preferences

This option is on the menu.

Step 4. Click on Bluetooth

You will find this option in the System Preferences window. The Bluetooth window will open.

Step 5. Activate Bluetooth if it is disabled

Click Turn on Bluetooth on the left side of the window. If you see the option “Disable Bluetooth”, Bluetooth is already activated.

Step 6. Tap the name of your iPad

The option "[Your Name] iPad" appears on the right side of the window.

Step 7. Click on Pairing

It's to the right of the iPad's name. The process of pairing your iPad with your computer begins.

For some iPad and Mac models, this is enough to connect your tablet and computer

Step 8. Tap Pair on iPad when prompted

Depending on the iPad model, this option may not appear; in this case, skip this step and the next.

Step 9. On your tablet, enter the code displayed on your computer

Do this to complete the pairing process.

If you don't see the code, skip this step

Step 10. Click on "Bluetooth"

on the computer.

This option will appear on the right side of the menu bar. A menu will open.

If not, open the Apple menu, click System Preferences> Bluetooth, and then select the Show Bluetooth menu in menu bar check box

Step 11. Click Browse files on device

It's near the bottom of the Bluetooth menu. Step 12. Select iPad.

Click on your iPad's name in the pop-up window and then click Browse. Step 13. Find the file you want to download.

To do this, scroll through the list of files. Step 14. Download the file.

Click on the file you want and then click Download. The file will download to a download folder on your computer. Step 15. Download the file to iPad.

To copy a file from computer to iPad, do the following:

• click

• 

  ;

• click "Send file to device";
• select a file and click "Send";
• click on the name of your iPad;
• click "Send";
• the copied file can be found in the iCloud Drive section of the Files app.