This wikiHow teaches you how to buy and sync movies to iPad. Since the iTunes app is no longer available for iPad, you can buy, rent, and watch movies through the Apple TV app. If you want to sync movies from your computer to your iPad, you can use the Finder (MacOS Catalina) or iTunes (MacOS Mojave and Windows).
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Method 1 of 4: Using the Apple TV App
Step 1. Open Apple TV on iPad
This app is marked by a black icon with the Apple logo and the words “TV” inside. If the app is already installed, you can find it on either the home screen or in a folder. If not, you can download it first through the App Store.
- Use this method to buy or rent movies from the Apple TV store, which replaces the iTunes Store as Apple's movie management app.
- You can also use Apple TV to view movies that you've purchased from Apple (via iTunes or an Apple TV streaming device).
Step 2. Find or browse the desired movie
To buy new movies and browse suggested content, touch “ Movies ” in the upper-left corner of the window. Touch Search ” in the lower right corner of the screen to search for movies by title or keyword.
To watch a purchased movie via Apple TV or iTunes, skip to step six
Step 3. Touch the movie
Movie information will be displayed, including score, summary and duration. You can see several options to watch, depending on the selected movie.
Step 4. Touch watch option
If the movie can be purchased through Apple, touch the “ Buy ” which displays the price. If the movie is available for rent for 30 days, you can touch the “ Rent ” with rent.
- To download a movie to iPad, tap the cloud icon with an arrow pointing downwards.
- To play the movie, touch the “Play” button (a sideways triangle icon).
Step 5. Confirm identity
You may be asked to enter your Apple ID and password (or scan Touch ID) to confirm your purchase, depending on your account settings. Once purchased, the selected movie will be displayed in the tab “ Library ”.
To stream a movie, touch the “Play” button on the movie poster. You can also re-read this method to find out how to download movies to your tablet
Step 6. Touch the Library tab to view all the movies you have purchased or are currently renting
This tab is at the bottom of the screen. In this tab, you can see a list of all the movies that have been purchased through an active Apply ID through any system/platform, including iTunes. Movies that are rented for less than 30 days will also be shown in this segment.
Step 7. Select the movie and touch the “Download” icon
The selected movie is saved to iPad so you can watch it, whether the device is on or off a network.
Method 2 of 4: Syncing Movies Via Finder (MacOS Catalina)
Step 1. Open Finder
This option is the first icon in the Dock, which is usually at the bottom of the screen.
- Since MacOS Catalina was released, iTunes is no longer included in the operating system. The synchronization process can now be done through the Finder.
- If you are using an operating system other than MacOS Catalina (or a later version), follow another method.
Step 2. Connect the iPad to the computer
Once the computer recognizes the iPad, it will appear in the left pane, under the "Locations" section.
Step 3. Click iPad on the left pane
Some information about your iPad will be displayed.
Step 4. Click the Movies tab
This tab is at the top of the right pane. Movies on the computer that can be synced to the iPad will be displayed.
Step 5. Check the box next to “Sync movies onto (your iPad)” option
It's at the top of the right pane.
Step 6. Select the movies you want to sync
Check the box next to each movie you want to copy to iPad. Unmarked movies will not sync.
Step 7. Click Apply
It's in the lower-right corner of the right pane. The selected movies will be synced to the iPad.
Step 8. Watch synced movies via Apple TV
The Apple TV app is marked by a black icon with the Apple logo and the words “TV” inside. If it's not already available on the iPad, you can download it from the App Store. After the application is opened, search for the movie by touching the icon “ Library ” at the bottom center of the screen.
Method 3 of 4: Syncing Movies from iTunes (MacOS Mojave and Older Versions or Windows)
Step 1. Open iTunes on the computer
If your computer is running an older version of MacOS that still has iTunes, click the musical note icon in the Dock to open iTunes. If you are using a Windows computer, click the “ iTunes ” on the “Start” menu.
If you're using MacOS Catalina, read the sync method using the Finder
Step 2. Connect the iPad to the computer
Once iTunes recognizes the device, an iPad button will appear at the top of the app window.
Step 3. Click the iPad button
This button looks like an iPad or iPhone and appears in the upper-left corner of the app window (to the right of the drop-down menu).
Step 4. Click Movies on the left pane
A list of movies that can be synced to iPad will be displayed.
Step 5. Check the box next to “Sync Movies” option
This box is at the top of the right pane.
Step 6. Select the movies you want to sync
Check the box next to each movie you want to copy to iPad.
Step 7. Click Apply
It's in the lower-right corner of the right pane. The selected movies will start syncing to the iPad.
If the movie doesn't sync right away, click “ Sync "after selecting" Apply ”.
Step 8. Watch synced movies via Apple TV
The Apple TV app is marked by a black icon with the Apple logo and the words “TV” inside. If it's not already available on the iPad, you can download it from the App Store. After the application is opened, search for the movie by touching the icon “ Library ” at the bottom center of the screen.
Method 4 of 4: Downloading Movie Files from iCloud
Step 1. Activate iCloud Drive on iPad
If you have video files on your computer that you can't get through iTunes or Apple TV (e.g. movies from an extracted DVD), you can use your internet storage space to send them to your iPad. There are a variety of options to try, but iCloud Drive is an already available feature on the iPad. However, first make sure iCloud Drive is turned on:
- Open the settings menu or “ Settings ”.
- Touch your name at the top of the screen.
- Choose " iCloud ”.
- Scroll to the “iCloud Drive” option (marked by a white icon with a blue cloud). If the switch next to that option is green, iCloud Drive is already turned on. If it is gray or white, slide the switch to the on position or “On” to activate it.
Step 2. Visit https://www.icloud.com on your computer
You can use iCloud Drive storage space to move large files, including movie files, from your computer to your iPad (or vice versa). Visit the iCloud site via a web browser first.
If you don't have a video player app that can play a variety of video files on your iPad, install the right app first. One reliable option is VLC Media Player. This app is available for free from the App Store. Search and read the article on how to download and install VLC Media Player for more information
Step 3. Sign in to your Apple ID
Make sure you're signed in to the same ID that's used on the iPad.
Step 4. Click iCloud Drive
This option is indicated by a white icon with a blue cloud in it.
Step 5. Drag the video file to the iCloud page
The file will be uploaded to the iCloud account. Once uploaded, the file can be accessed via the iPad.
- Alternatively, you can click the cloud icon with the arrow at the top of the page, browse to the desired file, and double-click the file icon to upload it to your account.
- If there isn't enough space in your iCloud Drive account to store video files, you may need to delete some content from your account or increase iCloud storage space. You can also use other internet storage services like Dropbox to move files to iPad.
Step 6. Open the Files app on the device
This app is marked by a white icon with a blue folder inside. You can find it in one of the home screens or folders, or by searching for it.
Step 7. Touch Browse in the bottom right corner of the screen
If you are already on the " Browse " page, skip this step.
Step 8. Touch iCloud Drive
This option is under the " Locations " heading. The contents stored in the iCloud storage space, including the uploaded video files will be displayed.
Step 9. Touch and hold the video file
The menu will expand afterwards.
Step 10. Scroll down and select Download
This option is at the bottom of the menu. The file will be copied to the iPad.
Step 11. Open the downloaded file via the media player app
For example, if you downloaded VLC Media Player, open the app and visit the directory where the video file you want to watch is stored.
