In this article, we'll show you how to connect your iPad or Android tablet to your Windows or macOS computer.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: How to Connect an Android Tablet Using a Cable (Windows)
Step 1. Connect your tablet to your computer using a USB cable
Use the charging cable that came with your tablet (or equivalent). A notification appears on the tablet.
- If your tablet came with drivers and / or software, install them first.
- In most cases, you don't need to install additional drivers to connect your Android tablet to your Windows computer.
Step 2. Tap on the notification on your tablet
The connection options will open.
Step 3. Tap Media device
You can now transfer files between your computer and tablet.
Step 4. Press ⊞ Win + E on your computer
The Explorer window will open.
Step 5. Click on This PC
It's in the left pane. A list of disks and devices connected to the computer will appear on the screen.
Step 6. Double click on the tablet icon
Its contents will open. Now drag and drop files to and from your tablet (just like any external drive).
Method 2 of 5: How to connect an Android tablet using a cable (macOS)
Step 1. Install Android File Transfer on Mac computer
With this free program, you can view and work with files on your Android device connected to your Mac. To install this program:
- Go to https://www.android.com/filetransfer in a web browser.
- Click “DOWNLOAD NOW” to download the installer.
- Open the downloaded androidfiletransfer.dmg file.
- Drag "Android File Transfer" to the Applications folder.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to install the program.
Step 2. Connect your tablet to your computer using a USB cable
Use the charging cable that came with your tablet (or equivalent).
Step 3. Launch the "Android File Transfer" program on your computer
You will find it in the Applications folder.
Step 4. Tap on the notification on the tablet
The connection options will open.
Step 5. Tap Media device
You can now transfer files between your computer and tablet.
Method 3 of 5: How to connect an Android tablet over a wireless network (Windows or macOS)
Step 1. Install SHAREit on your computer
With this free software, you can connect your Android device to your computer via a wireless network. To install the program:
- Go to http://www.ushareit.com/ in a web browser.
- Click on the link to download the installer that matches your computer's operating system.
- Double click on the downloaded file (uShareIt_official.dmg for macOS or SHAREit-KCWEB.exe for Windows).
- Follow the instructions on the screen to install the program.
Step 2. Open Play Store
on your tablet.
Its icon is in the application bar.
Step 3. Enter shareit in the search bar
The search results are displayed.
Step 4. Tap SHAREit - Share Files
The icon for this application is three dots with curved lines on a blue background.
Step 5. Click Install
The app will be installed on an Android tablet.
Step 6. Run the SHAREit program on your computer
You will find it in the All Apps section of the Start menu (Windows) or in the Programs folder (macOS).
Step 7. Launch the SHAREit app on your tablet
You will find its icon in the app drawer.
Step 8. Click Get on your tablet
You will find this option at the top of the screen.
Step 9. Tap Connect to PC on Android device
You can now view files on your tablet using SHAREit on your computer.
Method 4 of 5: How to connect iPad using a cable (Windows or macOS)
Step 1. Install iTunes
ITunes is already installed on Mac computers. For Windows, download iTunes for free at
Look online for detailed instructions on how to install iTunes
Step 2. Connect iPad to computer using USB cable
Use the cable that came with your iPad (or equivalent). ITunes will automatically launch and a pop-up message will appear on the iPad.
If iTunes doesn't launch, click the music note icon in the Dock (macOS) or click iTunes in the All Apps section of the Start menu (Windows)
Step 3. Tap Trust on iPad
The iPad will now be able to communicate with the computer.
You may also need to click Continue on your computer
Step 4. Click on the iPad icon in the iTunes window
It looks like a small iPhone or iPad and sits in the upper left corner of the iTunes window. The iPad connects to the computer.
Method 5 of 5: How to connect iPad using Bluetooth (macOS)
Step 1. Turn on Bluetooth on iPad
Use this method only if you have a Mac computer.
- Launch the Settings app
-
Iphonesettingsappicon on your tablet.
- Click "Bluetooth".
- Move the slider to the "Enable" position
-
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Step 2. Open the Apple menu
on the computer.
You will find it in the upper left corner.
Step 3. Click System Preferences
Step 4. Click on Bluetooth
Step 5. Tap Turn on Bluetooth
This option is located on the left side of the window. If you see the Turn off Bluetooth option, Bluetooth is already activated and your iPad's name will be displayed on the right.
Step 6. Click Connect next to the iPad name
You will find this option on the right side of the window.
Step 7. Tap Connect on your tablet
It will connect to your computer.
Your computer may display a code that you need to enter on your iPad to complete the connection
Step 8. Press
on the computer menu bar.
You will find this icon in the upper right corner.
- If this icon is not there, activate it. Open the Apple menu
-
Macapple1 , click System Preferences, click Bluetooth, and then select Show Bluetooth in Menu Bar.
Step 9. Click View Files on Device
You will find this option at the bottom of the Bluetooth menu.
Step 10. Select your iPad and click Browse
You can now view and work with files on your tablet on your Mac.