The iPad is transforming our lives. It is able to support music creation, movie filming, software engineering, photo/video editing, and so on. It's hard to believe but Gorillaz's 2010 album, The Fall, was created almost exclusively using the iPad. The music video "Rouge" was filmed entirely on an iPad.

If you use your iPad frequently, probably you'll face an issue that how can I transfer files from a Mac computer to my iPad? iTunes, AirDrop, Files app for iOS 11, iCloud, which one should I choose to send my files from Mac to iPad? We are going to show you a complete guide on how to transfer all types of your files from Mac computer to your iPad.

Table Of Content:



Part 1: FAQs About How To Transfer Files from Mac To iPad

Many options are available to help you get your file transferred from a Mac computer to your iPad. The hard part is how to make the best choice per your specific situation. Here are some FAQs about how to transfer files from Mac to an iPad that may give you a head start (Also Learn How To Transfer Photos from iPad To Computer).

  • Q: Can I transfer files from Mac to iPad without iTunes? A: Yes. Both Apple and third-party apps offer plenty of options that may help you transfer your files from Mac to your iPad without iTunes. You can use AirDrop, Files app for iOS, SyncBird Pro or other Mac To iPad File Transfer solutions.
  • Q: How do I transfer files from Mac to iPad wirelessly? A: By using iCloud, AirDrop, Google Drive, or Files app for iOS, you don't have to connect your iPad to your Mac with a USB cable. They work wirelessly.
  • Q: How do I transfer a folder from Mac to iPad? A: You can create folders and transfer them from your Mac to your iPad with iCloud Drive. It's easy to do so: Click on the Finder icon in your Mac dock > iCloud Drive > Right-click the mouse inside the Finder window > New Folder > After creating the new folder, put your files in it and it will sync to your iPad simultaneously.
    • How To Transfer a Folder from Mac to iPad

    How To Transfer a Folder from Mac to iPad

Top 5 Ways To Transfer Files from Mac To iPad

iTunes AirDrop iCloud Files SyncBird
Transfer Music To iPad
Transfer Photos To iPad
Transfer Videos To iPad
Transfer PDF To iPad
Transfer Document Files
Wireless Transfer
Free Up Space On iPad
Two-Way Transfer
Not Require iPad Backup
Not Require iTunes Sync
Not Require iCloud Account
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New To SyncBird? Click To Explore Its Stunning Features

Part 2: How To Transfer Files from Mac To iPad with iTunes

iTunes is the "Old School" iPad file manager utility that comes with every Mac. Before iCloud getting wildly adopted, iTunes is the only way to manage files between your Mac and iPad. Here are three commonly used Mac To iPad file transfer methods with iTunes.

Transfer Files from Mac to iPad with iTunes:

  • Method 1: You can transfer Music, Movies, Photos, TV Shows, Audio Books, Podcasts (iTunes U) from Mac to your iPad with iTunes Sync. To do so: Open iTunes > Connect your iPad to your Mac with a USB cable > Click iPad tab on iTunes > In Summary, click Sync to start moving content from Mac to your iPad.
    • Transfer Files from Mac to iPad with iTunes Sync

    Transfer Files from Mac to iPad with iTunes Sync

  • Method 2: If you want to transfer files from Mac to particular apps on your iPad, you can use the File Sharing in iTunes: Open iTunes > Navigate to your iPad > File Sharing > Find the app you need to add files > Click Add to start moving files from Mac to that iPad app:
    • Transfer Files from Mac to iPad with iTunes File Sharing

    Transfer Files from Mac to iPad with iTunes File Sharing

  • Method 3: If you have contacts, notes, messages, Safari bookmarks in previous iOS device backup, you can transfer these data from Mac to your iPad by using iTunes backup: Open iTunes > Your iPad > Summary > Backups > Restore Backup > Choose a Backup copy you want to restore your iPad from > Click Restore to start.
    • Transfer Files from Mac to iPad with iTunes Backup

    Transfer Files from Mac to iPad with iTunes Backup

Part 3: How To Transfer Files from Mac To iPad with AirDrop

AirDrop is an instant and wireless way to transfer files from Mac to your iPad. With AirDrop, you can easily share your photos, videos, documents, and more between your Mac and iPad nearby.

It's easy to do so: On your Mac, open Finder > AirDrop > put your iPad in the same Wi-fi network with your Mac > When you see your iPad icon/logo appears in AirDrop panel, drag and drop the file to the iPad icon > and then you can accept that file on your iPad:

Transfer Files from Mac to iPad with AirDrop

Transfer Files from Mac to iPad with AirDrop

Can't See Your iPad in AirDrop? Here Are Some Quick Tips:

  • Check that both of your iPad has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
  • Make sure that both your Mac and iPad are close by.
  • Check if you have set both your Mac and iPad's AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone.

Part 4: How To Transfer Files from Mac To iPad with iCloud

If your Mac and iPad use the same Apple ID, and you've enabled iCloud on both side, by default you will get your Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Safari Data, Notes, Photos and App Documents and Data automatically synced between your Mac and iPad:

Transfer Files from Mac to iPad with AirDrop

Transfer Files from Mac to iPad with AirDrop

Part 5: How To Transfer Files from Mac To iPad with Files App for iPad

The Files app for iOS 11 can seamlessly transfer all types of files between your Mac and your iPad. You can easily browse, search, and organize all your files in one place. It also goes beyond the limit of iCloud, you can sync files between a Mac and an iPad even they are using Google Drive, Dropbox, or other third-party cloud services.

Transfer Files from Mac to iPad with Files App for iPad

Transfer Files from Mac to iPad with Files App for iPad

Part 6: How To Transfer Files from Mac To iPad with SyncBird

As you can see, there are more than enough means to transfer files from Mac to an iPad. The only unhappy thing is that, either way mentioned above could suit every scenario. Like AirDrop cannot send songs to Music app on iPad; iCloud and Files app requires the same Apple ID and the extra storage is not for free.

SyncBird is professional iPad File Manager software that comes to fill the gap perfectly. Similar as iTunes, SyncBird is a desktop app and works for transfer your music, videos, TV Shows and other media content from your Mac computer to your iPad. The best part is, it won't erase existing content on your iPad, which means you can add songs, photos, movies and ringtongs from any iTunes Library, on any Mac.

Adding files from Mac to iPad with SyncBird is easy:

  • Step 1: Download and install SyncBird Pro on your computer > Open SyncBird Pro.
  • Step 2: Connect your iPad to your Mac computer > On the left side of SyncBird, click Device > Choose a catagory you'd like to import file from:
    • How To Transfer Files from Mac To iPad without iTunes

    How To Transfer Files from Mac To iPad without iTunes

  • Step 3: Click Add button and choose files you want to import to your iPad > Click Open to start transferring.
    • How To Transfer Files from Mac To iPad without iTunes

    How To Transfer Files from Mac To iPad without iTunes

  • Step 4: After a while, SyncBird will finish importing files from Mac to your iPad. In result window, you'll see:
    • How To Transfer Files from Mac To iPad without iTunes

    How To Transfer Files from Mac To iPad without iTunes

The Bottom Line

Have you transferred your files from Mac to your iPad with our suggestions above? If you still have questions, just drop a line in comment box below and we'll prepare more specific solutions per your situation. One more thing, if you need a complete iPad, iPhone and iPod content management solution, SyncBird Pro is definitely your best choice. Click for free download >



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Tags: iPhone Tricks   iTunes Alternative   iPad File Transfer   iPhone Photos