How to Transfer Files from iPad to PC Easily [7 Quick Ways]

Why Do You Want to Transfer Files from iPad to PC?

Sometimes we need to transfer data from iPad to computer. Maybe you want to free up space on your iPad, or maybe you want to edit files and photos on your PC.

However, iOS is a closed system and you cannot copy and paste iPad files to computer directly. Here in this guide, I will introduce all workable iPad to PC files transfer methods to help you achieve the goal. There are 5 ways that can help you transfer files from iPad to PC without iTunes and USB cable. You can first read and then choose one to follow according to your situation.

Methods	Applicability	Difficulty
AOMEI FoneBackup [With USB]	Easy iOS transfer and backup freeware.  Go	Easy
iTunes [With USB]	Official iOS to PC transfer tool, partial file support.  Go	Easy
AirDrop-like App [Wireless]	AirDrop app for Windows wirelessly transfers iPad data.  Go	Medium
iCloud [Wireless]	Apple's cloud storage tool can transfer data between devices. Go	Easy
Bluetooth [Wireless]	Enable Bluetooth to share files between iPad and computer. Go	Easy
Google Drive [Wireless]	Transfer any file between iDevice and PCs via a cloud drive. Go	Medium
Email [Wireless]	Move files as attachments to PC by sending an email. Go	Medium

Part 1. How to Transfer Files from iPad to PC via USB

If you want to transfer files from iPad to PC via USB without iTunes, Way 1 is the answer.

Way 1. Transfer Files from iPad to PC with Easy Freeware

If you want a quick way to transfer songs, photos, and videos from iPad to PC, then one professional iOS data transfer tool named AOMEI FoneBackup can be the best choice.

See how to use this tool to transfer data from iPad to computer:

Download, install, and launch AOMEI FoneBackup. It supports all iPhone/iPad models including the latest iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPhone.

1. Run AOMEI FoneBackup > Connect iPad to computer via USB cable > Enter passcode on iPad so the software can access your device.

2. On the Home screen, Click Phone Transfer option. Go to iPhone to PC and click Start Transfer.

3. Click the “+” icon > Choose the photos, video, songs you want to transfer > Click OK to continue.

4. Click Start Transfer > Choose a storage path > If everything is OK, click Transfer to start.

Besides, AOMEI FoneBackup also can help you learn how to transfer files from PC to iPad. You can check the below detailed guide:

1. Connect iPad to computer with USB cable> Select Phone Transfer > Move the cursor to PC to iPhone > Tap Start Transfer.

2. Click the plus icon > Select photos, music, videos, or contacts to your iPad/iPad Air/Mini/Pro.

3. Then tap Start Transfer to import files to your iPad.

Way 2. Send Files from iPad to PC with iTunes

In iTunes, there’s one function called File Sharing. It lets you copy files between computer and iOS devices. However, it only supports transferring several app files: Keynotes, Numbers, Pages, Kindle, etc. 

1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on computer.

2. Connect your iPad to computer. You can connect your iPad using USB cable or Wi-Fi connection.

3. In iTunes, click the Device table.

4. Click File Sharing under Settings.

5. Select an app you want to transfer > Choose the file you need > Click Save > Choose a location to save the file > Click Save to copy files from iPad to PC.

Part 2. How to Move Files from iPad to PC wirelessly without USB

If you don't have a USB cable at hand at the moment, you'll have to turn to the iPad transfer to PC wirelessly. You can use third-party apps to transfer data from iPad  and iPhone to computer with a good Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection.

Way 1. Transfer Data to PC from iPad Wirelessly via AirDrop-like Apps

Although AirDrop is not available on Windows PC, there are AirDrop-like apps that can help you transfer files between iPad and computer wirelessly. Snapdrop, Xender, SHAREit, Zapya are the most recommended ones. This AirDrop for Windows apps can help you transfer videos, photos, songs, apps, PDF files, etc.

Here we take Snapdrop as an example to show you how to AirDrop videos from iPhone to PC.

1. Visit Snapdrop website (https://snapdrop.net/) on iPad and computer.

2. Tap the icon on your iPad screen and it will give you three choices: Take Photo or Video, Photo Library, and Browse.

3. Click one option to select the videos you need.

4. When the transfer is completed, click the Download button to save videos on computer.

Way 2. Share Files from iPad to PC Wirelessly via iCloud Drive

iCloud Drive is a good place to store files and it lets you access files on any device. You can first upload files to iCloud Drive on iPad and then download files on your PC. However, iCloud only offers 5GB of free storage space. If you need more iCloud storage, you can upgrade your storage plan. Lean the way of moving files from iPad to PC.

On your iPad:

• Go to Settings > Tap [your name] > Tap iCloud > Turn on iCloud Drive.

• Go to Files app > Tap Browse > Tap iCloud Drive > Upload needed files to iCloud Drive.

On your computer:

Go to iCloud.com > Log in with your Apple ID and passcode > Click iCloud Drive to find your needed files and download them to PC.

Way 3. Access Files from iPad to PC via Bluetooth

iPhone to PC Bluetooth file transfer is more of a feasible data sharing method, which only supports transferring a limited amount and type of data from iOS device to computer. If you know the steps of that way, go ahead and browse the page and learn how to transfer files from iPad to PC using Bluetooth.

1. Go to your PC Settings app or Connectivity to make Bluetooth discoverable.

2. Enable Bluetooth on your iPhone and search for the name of your computer in the device, then click on it.

3. When the iPhone screen pops up the prompt to enter the connection key, allow it to connect to your PC.

Way 4. Move Data from iPad to PC Wirelessly via Google Drive

You can also choose other cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive to help you transfer data from iPad to computer. Compared to iCloud Drive, they offer more free storage space. 

On your iPad:

• Download Google Drive app from App Store > Open it and sign in with your account.

• Tap the “+” icon in the lower right corner of the app > Tap Upload > Choose the files want to upload to Google Drive.

On your computer:

Open a browser on computer and go to Google Drive website > Download the files you uploaded before.

Way 5. Send Files from iPad to PC Wirelessly via Email

A quick way to transfer data from iPad to computer is to send an email to yourself. You can add any type of file as an attachment. However, email only supports files under 25M. If you want to transfer large files, you should rely on the Mail Drop function. It helps you send a file up to 5GB each time.

Turn on Mail Drop on iPad: Tap Mail > Preferences > Accounts > Advanced > Choose Send large attachment with Mail Drop.

Here we take send videos from iPhone to email as an example to show how to transfer videos from iPad to computer without iTunes:

On your iPad

• Connect iPad to Wi-Fi network.

• Go to Photos app > Choose the video you need > Tap Share button > Choose Mail > Enter your address > Tap Send > Tap Use Mail Drop.

On your computer

Check your email and download the attachment. (You have 30 days to download the attachments.)

Frequently asked questions on iPad to computer file transfer

You may want to have more questions about iPad file transfer, we will answer them for you one by one.