Top 4 Ways to Transfer Files from a Windows PC to an iPad
Thanks to AirDrop, file sharing is seamless between Apple devices. However, the same is not true when you consider a Windows 11 PC. You will need to use iTunes, cloud storage apps or third-party solutions to transfer photos and videos from Windows PC to iPad . Here are the best ways to transfer files from PC to iPad.
The Apple iPad is an ideal media consumption device. If you have high-resolution videos stored on a Windows PC, transfer them to your iPad and take them anywhere.
1. Use iTunes to Transfer Files from PC to iPad
While Apple retired iTunes on Mac, the company offers the same on Windows to manage your devices. Follow the steps below to use iTunes to move photos and videos from PC to iPad.
Step 1: Download and install iTunes from the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC.
2nd step: We will use VLC player to complete the transfer process. Download VLC Player on your iPad.
Step 3: Open iTunes and take a USB cable to connect your iPad to a Windows PC.
Step 4: Allow your computer to access information on your iPad.
Step 5: Tap Trust on your iPad.
Step 6: Click iPad at the top and select File Sharing from the left sidebar.
Step 7: Select VLC. Click Add Files. This will open the File Explorer menu.
Step 8: Find the videos you want to transfer from PC to VLC. Click Open.
Launch the VLC Player app on your iPad and your videos will be ready to stream.
Likewise, if you want to transfer documents, use the Adobe Acrobat app on your iPad. After transferring photos and videos from your PC to VLC video player, follow the steps below to access it.
Step 1: Open the Files app on iPad.
2nd step: Select “On my iPad” from the left sidebar.
Step 3: Open the VLC folder and check all your transferred files.
2. Use iCloud to Move Photos from PC to iPad
This one is great for iCloud users. Apple offers a dedicated iCloud app on Windows to manage your iCloud Photos, Safari Bookmarks, iCloud Passwords, Calendars, and more. You can set up iCloud and transfer photos and videos from your PC to Apple’s cloud platform.
Step 1: Download iCloud from the Microsoft Store.
2nd step: Open iCloud and sign in with your Apple account details.
Step 3: Press Windows key + E to launch Windows Explorer (formerly File Explorer) and you will see iCloud Photos appear in the sidebar.
Step 4: Copy photos and videos from your PC and paste them into iCloud Photos.
Step 5: iCloud will sync the media and make it available from the Photos app on your iPad.
Launch the Photos app on your iPad and check your transferred photos and videos.
3. OneDrive to Transfer Files from PC to iPad
Microsoft is offering 1TB OneDrive storage to all Microsoft 365 subscribers. Since OneDrive has a neat integration on Windows, transferring files from PC to iPad has never been easier. Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Download OneDrive on iPad.
2nd step: Open OneDrive and sign in with your Microsoft account details.
Step 3: Press Windows + E keys to launch Windows Explorer (formerly File Explorer) on your Windows PC.
Step 4: Copy files from your PC to the OneDrive folder that appears in the left sidebar of Windows Explorer.
Step 5: Check the synchronization status in the Windows taskbar.
Step 6: Open OneDrive on your iPad and check all your downloaded files.
Step 7: Tap the three vertical dots menu next to a file and select Download from the pop-up menu.
All your files are ready to use on your iPad.
4. Share files from PC to iPad via Wi-Fi
This is one of the easiest ways to transfer files from PC to iPad. You can use VLC on your iPad and move files from PC to iPad wirelessly.
Step 1: Launch the VLC app on your iPad.
2nd step: Switch to the Network tab.
Step 3: Enable the toggle next to “Sharing over Wi-Fi”.
Step 4: Open your favorite browser in Windows.
Step 5: Type the IP address. Make sure to keep your iPad and Windows PC on the same Wi-Fi network. This will open VLC’s “Sharing over Wi-Fi” window.
Step 6: Launch File Explorer in Windows. Drag and drop files from PC to VLC.
If you transfer videos from PC to iPad, they will instantly show up in the VLC app on your iPad. For photos and documents, you’ll need to access the VLC folder from the Files app on your iPad (as shown in the first tip above).
Access your PC files on iPad
Although it’s not as convenient as using AirDrop, transferring files from PC to iPad won’t take more than a few minutes. As a Microsoft 365 subscriber, we prefer OneDrive to move files from PC to iPad. And you? Share your preference in the comments below.