5 Useful Methods to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad Easily

Adam Cash

Aug 13,2019 • Filed to: iPad Music Transfer • Proven solutions

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Do you want to transfer files from Mac to iPad? We have a couple of solutions lined up for you that you might want to try out. We’ve made sure to spread them out so that you can get the most of this article — at least in terms of available options. Which means, not only will we be teaching you the more traditional way of doing things, we’re also going to be introducing a couple of methods that you might not have ever heard of before.

For our first recommended solution, we have the iMusic transfer software. If you haven’t already heard of it, or just don’t know what it is in general, then our tutorial below should be able to introduce you to the basics of how it works. Of course, it is available on Mac, and it can be used for transferring files from your Mac PC to your iPad — be it automatically or manually. Either way, this is one of the easiest methods of transferring your files to your iPad, and that’s not all it can do! Overall, the main features of this program include the following:

iMusic - Best iTunes Alternative to Transfer Files to iPad without iTunes

• Two-step transfer process between Mac and iPad — just follow the quick and easy tutorial that we have laid out down for you below!
• Manual transfer of files from Mac to iPad also available using the device library management feature.
• iTunes library can also be managed easily using iMusic — whether you want to change ID3 tags, add/remove files, edit playlist, etc.
• Toolbox feature filled with convenient tools that will allow you to backup/restore your iPad, clean up your iTunes library, burn a CD, transfer files automatically to a USB, and so much more.
• Sleek Mac-compatible interface that is easy to use and highly intuitive (perfect for beginners and new users alike.)

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Guide to Move Files from Mac to iPad without iTunes by iMusic

Step 1 — Transfer iTunes to Device

To start transferring with iMusic, all you need to do is make sure that your iPad is plugged into your device! Then, you can launch iMusic (which can be downloaded and installed for FREE!)

Step 2 — DEVICE tab

If you have that done, then you should be able to see this under the Device tab (which you can select from the top of the interface.)

Under the “Device” tab, there are a couple of options available on the right-hand side of the screen. The one that you need to press in order to transfer files from Mac to iPad is the Transfer Music from iTunes to Device option.

Step 3 — Entire Library

Next, select the files that you want to transfer (if you want to keep things simple, just click the Entire Library option to transfer everything on your iTunes library to your iPad.)

Once you’ve selected what you want to transfer, click the Transfer button on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen and iMusic should automatically begin transferring all the files that you want to transfer to your device!

Another available method that you can use if you want to transfer files from a Mac to an iOS device (iPad) is the Airdrop option. This should be pre-installed in all Mac OS devices (that are compatible.) So, you won’t need to download anything. Just make sure that the device that you’re transferring to is discoverable by making sure that you’re connected to the same Wi-Fi connection.

Steps to Copy Files from Mac to iPad without iTunes -via Airdrop

Step 1 — AirDrop

Launch Airdrop and make sure that you’re under the AirDrop (1) tab. On there, you can see the collection of devices that you can connect to. The “Allow me to be discovered by:” option (2) is what you’ll be using if you want to transfer from iPad to Mac.However, what you’re going to select is your iPad.

Step 2 — Share Airdrop

Next, go to your files and browse for the documents that you want to transfer. After that, all you need to do is right-click and then select Share and then Airdrop.

For this next one, we’re going to be transferring files from Mac to iPad using email. Which basically means that you’re going to be emailing yourself — so that you can have the same files on both your Mac and iPad via your email. This is a pretty simple way of sharing a handful of files from one device to another — although there are certain limitations that will keep you from transferring bigger files without a google drive account.

Steps to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad without iTunes- Via Email [Free]

Step 1 — Prepare Your Files

The first step is simply to make sure that all your files are within reach. To simplify things, have it on your desktop and keep them all in the same folder — that way you can select them simultaneously in the following steps!

Step 2 — Attach Document

Next, on your email composer of choice, attach your files by clicking the “Attach Documents” icon on the image composer. Of course, for this, make sure that your email is under the “Send Message To” option — so that you can receive the files on your iPad!

You’ll be asked by your email composer to select the files that you want to transfer, again this is why we recommended that you have all your files in one folder in Step 1. So that you can select all of them and upload by clicking the Choose option.

Step 3 — Download Your iPad

After emailing the files to your own email, you can now receive them on your iPad and download them from there (as we’ve shown in the image below.)

For this next portion, we’re going to be going old school by using the traditional way of transferring files from Mac to iPad — that is, through iTunes. iTunes is built-in on Mac OS computers, so you won’t need to download or install it to use it on your PC. Instead, you just need to make sure that your iPad is already plugged in. As for the rest, we’re going to be showing you how to use the automatic sync options to transfer files from your Mac to your iPad!

Steps to Transfer files from Mac to iPad with iTunes- Automatically Sync

Step 1 — iPad

Once you have your iPad connected, you can select its settings from the iPad icon on the top left-hand side of the screen (pointed out in the image below.) This is where you’ll be able to change your iPad’s automatic sync settings.

Step 2 — Music

For this sample, we’re only going to be showing you how to sync music (but similar methods can apply if you want to transfer other files — just move to the Movies, TV shows, Audiobooks, Photos, etc. tab depending on what files you want to automatically sync.)

To sync your music to your iPad, make sure that you’re on the Music tab (1), turn on the Sync Music option (2,) and then apply the settings change by clicking the Apply button (3.) By doing this, your music should now sync automatically every time you sync your iTunes to your iPad (which should sync automatically after you plug in your iPad to your PC.)

For this next portion, we’re going to be showing you another method of transferring files from Mac to iPad. This one will still be using iTunes, but this time, we’re going to be using the “File Sharing” option. Which is what will allow you to transfer files from your iPad to your iTunes by dragging and dropping files onto the storage of certain applications.

Not sure what we mean by that? Continue reading to learn more!

Steps to Export Files from Mac to iPad with iTunes-iPad File Sharing

Step 1 — iPad Settings

Like before, we’re going to be starting out by going to our iPad Settings — which you can do by clicking the iPad icon (pointed out in the image below. )

Step 2 — File Sharing

Once there, go to the File Sharing tab (1.) This page will be a bit different from the rest. Instead of sync settings, you have “Apps” on the left and then compatible documents on the right. Pick the app that you want to transfer files to (i.e. Word) and then drag-n-drop compatible video files (word documents, PDFs, etc.)

Once the upload is finished, you’ll notice that those files will have transferred to the App!

Conclusion: That’s our tutorial on all the useful methods available for transferring files from your Mac computer to your iPad! You can use any of these if you think that one would fit you most. But the program that we’d recommend for beginners and those that are looking for the easy way out, is the iMusic transfer software! As we demonstrated in the very beginning, it is definitely the easiest and most intuitive method of getting your files from Mac to iPad quickly!