This wikiHow teaches you how to copy files from Windows or Mac to iPad so they can be opened offline. You can do this via iTunes, iCloud Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Google Drive.
Step
Method 1 of 6: Using iTunes
Step 1. Connect iPad to computer
Insert one end of the iPad charging cable into the iPad's USB port.
Step 2. Open iTunes on the computer
This app has icons resembling colorful tone symbols on a white background.
- If iTunes prompts you to update, click Download iTunes (download iTunes) and restart the computer after the update is complete.
- Apple announced it would stop using iTunes when macOS Catalina launched in the fall of 2019. iTunes will replace Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts for Mac users. Windows users can still use the iTunes app, at least temporarily.
Step 3. Click the “Device” icon (device)
It's an iPad-shaped button in the upper-left side of the iTunes window. You will be taken to the iPad page.
Step 4. Click File Sharing
After clicking the " Device " file icon in the upper left corner, you will see a " File Sharing " option in the bar on the left. It's next to an icon that resembles the letter "A".
Step 5. Select the application
In the application field in the middle of the iTunes window, click the application that you want to load the file. The file type does not need to be directly related to the application. (For example, you can put a Microsoft Word file in the iMovie folder).
Apple's Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie, and GarageBand apps all have folders for storing projects on iPad, which means you can use them to store any kind of file
Step 6. Scroll down and click Add File…
It's at the bottom right of the page. Once done, the File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) application on your computer will open.
Step 7. Select the file
Click the file you want to add to iPad to select it. Sometimes you need to go to the file folder location by clicking the appropriate folder on the left side of the window.
Step 8. Click Open
It's in the lower right corner of the window. The file name can be seen in the application window in iTunes.
Step 9. Click Sync
It's in the lower-right side of the iTunes window. This step will add the file to the selected app on the iPad. At this point, you can open iPad files at any time, even if you're not connected to the Internet.
You can click Done (completed) after the synchronization ends to return to the main page.
Method 2 of 6: Using iCloud Drive
Step 1. Go to https://www.icloud.com/ in a browser
This will open the login page.
Step 2. Log in to your iCloud account
Enter the Apple ID email address and password, then click the arrow icon to the right of the Apple ID and password bar.
- Skip this step if you're already signed in to iCloud.
- If you enable two-factor authentication, you'll need to enter a 6-digit number from your iPad to log in to your computer.
- If a message appears asking if you trust the device you're logged in to, tap Trust (believe) in iPad and computers.
Step 3. Click iCloud Drive
This app has a white background with blue color clouds. Once done, the iCloud Drive page will open.
Step 4. Click the "Upload" icon (upload)
It's at the top of the page. This icon resembles a cloud with an arrow pointing up. Once done, a File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window will open.
Step 5. Click the file you want to upload to iCloud Drive
Use a file browser application to navigate to the file you want to upload. Select the associated file, then click it.
- You can also select all files in the same location by clicking a single file, then pressing Ctrl+A (Windows) or Command+A (Mac).
- To select multiple files, hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) while clicking each file that you want to select.
Step 6. Click Open
It's in the lower right corner of the window. When you do, the files will start uploading to iCloud Drive.
Step 7. Wait for the file to finish uploading
This process can take anywhere from a few seconds to several hours depending on the total size of the uploaded file. Once done, proceed to the next step.
Step 8. Open the Files app
on iPads.
The app is a blue folder on a white background. The iCloud Drive app was replaced by Files since iOS 11 so from now on this is where you can download iCloud files to your iPad.
Step 9. Tap the Browse label
It's in the lower right corner of the screen.
Step 10. Tap
iCloud Drive.
You can see it under the " Locations " heading. When you do, the content in iCloud Drive will open.
If you don't see this option, first try tapping the title Locations first to bring it up.
Step 11. Tap Select in the top right corner of the screen
This will display a blank circle next to each file.
Step 12. Tap each file you want to move to iPad
This step displays a check mark in a circle next to each file that is tapped.
Step 13. Tap Move
You'll find it at the bottom of the screen.
Step 14. Tap On My iPad
It's next to an icon that resembles an iPad. If you have, a list of folders on the iPad will be displayed.
Step 15. Tap the folder you want to put the file in
Step 16. Tap Move
Place this button in the upper right corner of the screen. If you have, the selected files will be moved to the corresponding folder so that they can be accessed on the iPad even if it is not connected to the internet.
You can open files through the Files app
Method 3 of 6: Using AirDrop
Step 1. Open Finder
on Mac.
This app has an icon that resembles a blue and white smiley face.
Step 2. Click Go
It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen. This step displays a drop-down menu of similar folders in the Finder.
Step 3. Click AirDrop
It's in the drop-down menu under "Go" in the Finder.
Step 4. Select Contacts only or Everyone in the drop down menu.
The drop-down menu is at the bottom of the screen next to "Allow me to be discovered by". This step allows you to be found via AirDrop.
Step 5. Open the Files app
on your iPhone or iPad.
The app is a blue folder in the Dock at the bottom of the home screen.
Step 6. Tap Browse
This option is on the second label at the bottom of the Files app. The menu on the left side of the window will appear.
Step 7. Tap On My iPad
It's next to an iPad-like icon in the menu on the left.
Step 8. Tap the program that has the files you want to move
Program files in the Files application are organized by application. Tap the application folder that contains the files you want to move. All files in the application will be displayed.
For example, if you have multiple Pages documents that you want to move to the app, tap Pages.
Step 9. Tap Select
It's in the upper right corner of the Files app. This step displays a circular button next to each file.
Step 10. Tap the file you want to move
This step displays a check icon next to the selected file.
Step 11. Tap Share
It's at the bottom left of the Files app. This step displays the Share menu (share).
Step 12. Tap the AirDrop icon in the share menu
This app has an icon containing a number of concentric circles (having the same center) with an inverted “V” at the bottom. This step displays the contacts available via AirDrop in a menu.
- For contacts to be available via AirDrop, the app must be signed in to the Apple ID on the device. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and have Bluetooth on.
- AirDrop should be able to find " Contacts " or " Everyone " on the receiving device.
- The method of transferring files via AirDrop may not work on some iPhone, iPad, iMac, or Macbook models.
Step 13. Tap on the contact in the AirDrop section
The AirDrop section is the second section in the Share menu. This step displays the profile and device pictures for all contacts (including you) available via AirDrop. Once done, AirDrop will start sending files to your Mac. Your Mac will make a sound when the file transfer is complete. You can find the file in the " Downloads " folder in the Finder on a Mac.
Method 4 of 6: Using Email
Step 1. Open the Email (email) app on your iPhone or iPad
Tap the email app you used to send the email on your iPhone or iPad. If you're using Apple Mail, tap the blue icon with a white envelope at the bottom of the screen. If you're using Gmail or Outlook, tap the app icon on the home screen.
Step 2. Tap the compose icon (compose email)
This is the icon you tap if you want to create a new email. In Apple Mail and Outlook, this icon resembles a pencil and paper at the top of the screen. In Gmail, this icon is a plus sign (+) in the lower right corner.
Step 3. Type your email address into the recipient bar
Usually this bar says " To:" (to) or " Recipient " (recipients) on the email creation page.
Step 4. Type in the email title
Fill in the subject bar on the page with the title of the email. You can enter a file name, or simply write “File”.
Step 5. Tap the attachment icon (attachment)
This icon usually resembles a paper clip and is located at the top of the page, or in the upper-right corner of the on-screen keyboard.
Step 6. Tap Browse (if applicable)
This is the second label at the bottom of the screen.
If you're using Gmail, just tap the file you want to send in the file list
Step 7. Tap On My iPad
It's next to the iPad-like icon in the menu on the left.
Step 8. Tap the program that has the files you want to move
Program files in the Files application are organized by application. Tap the application folder that contains the files you want to transfer. All the application files will be displayed.
Step 9. Tap the file you want to transfer
The file you want to attach to the email will begin to upload.
Some emails limit the file size that can be attached. If you can't upload the file, it's probably too large
Step 10. Tap the Send icon
In Apple Mail, here's a button that says Send in the upper right corner. In Outlook and Gmail, here's the paper airplane-like icon in the upper-right corner.
Step 11. Open the email app on Mac
If you're using Outlook or Apple Mail, tap the icon in the Applications folder in the Finder or Dock. If you use Gmail, go to https://mail.google.com using a web browser.
If you haven't logged in to your email automatically, type in your email address and password to get started
Step 12. Open the email you sent
Find the email with the same title as the one you created earlier, then click to open it.
Step 13. Double click the attachment to download it
Attachments are usually listed at the bottom of the email. By default, the Downloads folder can be found in the Finder.
Method 5 of 6: Using Microsoft OneDrive
Step 1. Open https://onedrive.com/ using a browser
If you have signed in to your Microsoft account, the main Microsoft OneDrive page will open.
If you're not logged in, enter your email address and account password before continuing
Step 2. Click Upload
It's at the top of the page. A drop down menu will appear.
If you want to save the file in a specific folder, first click the folder you want to save
Step 3. Click Files
This option is in the drop-down menu. Once done, a File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window will open.
If you want to upload a folder containing files, click Folders here.
Step 4. Select the file
Click the files you want to upload to OneDrive or hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) while clicking individual files to select them individually.
- You can also select all the files in the related location by clicking on a single file, then pressing Ctrl+A (Windows) or Command+A (Mac).
- If you want to upload a folder, click the associated folder.
Step 5. Click Open
It's in the lower right corner of the window. Your files will start uploading to OneDrive.
Step 6. Wait for the file to finish uploading
The time it takes to upload a file varies depending on the total size of the uploaded file. When finished, proceed to the next step.
Step 7. Open OneDrive
on iPads.
Tap the OneDrive app icon, which resembles two clouds on a blue background. The OneDrive main page will open if you're signed in.
Again, if you're not logged in, enter your account email address and password
Step 8. Tap and hold on a file to select it, then tap any file/folder you want to download to iPad to select it
This step selects the file. To select multiple files, tap and hold the first file, then any other files you want to select.
Step 9. Tap on “Share” icon
This icon is an upward-facing arrow in the top left of the screen. The menu will appear.
Step 10. Tap Save to Files
This folder-shaped icon is in the menu at the bottom of the screen.
Step 11. Tap On my iPad
This step displays a list of folders on the iPad.
Step 12. Tap the folder where you want to save the file
Under the "On My iPad" heading, tap a folder (for example, Pages) to select it as the folder where the OneDrive files will be stored.
Step 13. Tap Add
It's in the upper right corner of the screen. Now you can open files on iPad even if you are not connected to the internet.
Method 6 of 6: Using Google Drive
Step 1. Open https://www.drive.google.com/ in a browser
This will open your Google Drive account if you're already signed in to your Google account.
If you are not logged in to Google Drive, click the button Go to Google Drive blue, if applicable, then enter your email address and password before continuing.
Step 2. Click NEW
It's blue and in the upper-left corner of the window. This will open a drop down menu.
If you want to save the file in a specific folder, first click the folder where you want to save it
Step 3. Click File upload
This option is in the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Click the file you want to upload to Google Drive
To select multiple files, hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click the file you want to upload.
You can also select all files in the same location by clicking a single file, then pressing Ctrl+A (Windows) or Command+A (Mac)
Step 5. Click Open
It's in the lower right corner of the window. Your files will start uploading to Google Drive.
Step 6. Wait for the file to finish uploading
The time it takes to complete this step varies, depending on the size of the associated file. After the file has finished uploading, please proceed to the next step.
Step 7. Tap on the Google Drive app icon
This icon is a green, blue, and yellow triangle on a white background. The main Google Drive page will open if you are logged in.
If you're not logged into Google Drive, enter the email address and password for the account that uploaded the file
Step 8. Tap and hold the file to select it
This step will select the file. To select multiple files, tap and hold the first file, then tap the other files that you want to select.
Step 9. Tap
This icon is three dots next to each file in the Google Drive folder.
Step 10. Tap on Make available offline
This option is in the pop-up menu. This option allows you to open files in Google Drive even when your iPad isn't connected to the Internet.
There's a Google Drive option in the Files app, but you can't download some files from Google Drive to Files like other cloud storage apps
Tips
- Most storage apps have an "Offline" feature that can be used to make files accessible without internet. Usually you can do this by selecting the file, tapping the menu icon (⋮), and selecting Offline.
- Once you've downloaded a file in the Files app on your iPad, you can delete it from the cloud and the file will still be on your iPad.
