How to connect an iPad to a computer: basic methods and step-by-step instructions

There are several proven ways to connect an iPad to a computer. For example, you can make a connection via regular USB or wireless technology. Step-by-step instructions for each method are provided in this article.

Via USB

One way to connect an iPad to a computer is to use a standard USB cable. A universal option that can be used in almost all cases. In addition, it must be used before the first connection using Wi-Fi.

To understand how to connect an iPad to a computer via USB, you need to use an Apple cable, the type of which depends on the connector of the gadget:

• the oldest devices, which were released before 2014, are connected to an adapter with a 30-pin connector;
• if the model was released between 2014-2018, you will need a Lightning cable;
• for more modern ones - USB-C: this is the main option for connecting iPad to iTunes.

In some cases, you will need other cables that are not included in the basic kit. This could be, for example, an adapter, USB-C, and it is also divided into several types - AV and VGA.

When all the cables are prepared, you can figure out how to connect the iPad to the laptop. The instructions are very simple:

1. Connect both devices via cable.
2. Go to “My Computer” through the icon on the table or Explorer.
3. Click on the tablet icon and see many folders.
4. Among them, find Internal Storage and then DCIM.

Here it is important to understand the general principle of Apple gadgets: connecting the iPad to a computer is possible, but you can work with files only after installing a special iTunes application. It allows you to change the name of documents, copy or delete them. In the absence of this program, you can only view photos, videos and other materials.

Via Wi-Fi

There is another option for connecting an iPad to iTunes on a computer - via Wi-Fi. This is possible even in cases where the gadgets are in different (adjacent) rooms. In this case, USB will still be needed, since the first connection is made using it. After this you can connect without a cable. But if you have a Catalina or lower operating system installed, you can use the built-in Finder.

The way to connect an iPad using Finder consists of the following steps:

1. Open Finder and connect the iPad to the computer. You can see a tablet icon on the side of the window.
2. Next, click on it and confirm on the tablet that the device can be trusted.
3. Select the type of data that will be used in the work. Click on the “Synchronize” button.
4. The next step in the instructions on how to connect an iPad to iTunes is to select and tick the files that you want to synchronize.
5. Then you just need to confirm your action and move on to the next step - wireless synchronization. To do this, connect the tablet to the computer via regular USB and open Finder.
6. Then select the required device and select the “Show if connected to Wi-Fi” command.
7. Confirm your action.

Older devices have the Mojave operating system.Therefore, you can connect your iPad to your computer using this algorithm:

1. The iPad is connected to the PC again via standard USB.
2. Next, go to iTunes and click on the iPad icon, which is located on the left side.
3. After this, call up the “Overview” menu and go to the “Parameters” section.
4. Among all the items, choose to synchronize your iPad via Wi-Fi.
5. At the final stage of the instructions on how to connect your iPod to your computer, you need to call up the settings menu, go to the general section and again give the command to synchronize via Wi-Fi, but this time with iTunes.
6. Further, these actions no longer need to be performed, since the connection and synchronization will take place automatically. This is especially convenient in cases where for some reason the iPad does not connect to the computer via USB.

Via Bluetooth

You can connect your iPad to your computer, as well as other gadgets, in another wireless way - using bluetooth. But you won’t be able to do this without additional equipment - you’ll first need to install a Bluetooth adapter on your PC.

The instructions on how to connect an iPad to a PC are very simple:

1. Bluetooth is turned on on the computer and on the gadget itself.
2. Next, select the desired computer from the list.
3. Synchronizes both gadgets.

You can also connect in modem mode. This method of connecting an iPad to a computer via USB is completely similar to the Wi-Fi activation method. but the Internet will be distributed not by a router, but by a tablet. Moreover, this method will only work if the iPad has a slot for installing a SIM card, because it is through it that the connection will be ensured.

The algorithm is like this:

1. Go to your iPad and select settings.
2. Click on the “Cellular Data” link.
3. Give the command for permission.
4. Switch to modem mode and start distributing the Internet.

Distribution can be carried out in 3 ways:

1. Using a Wi-Fi network - to do this you need to connect to the PC by entering the appropriate password.
2. For Bluetooth - exactly the same as described above.
3. Via USB - this method of connecting an iPad to iTunes via a computer is usually used only in cases where the devices do not contain a module for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Now it’s clear how to connect an iPad to a PC. All options are quite simple, but in some cases the use of additional equipment is required. Moreover, you also need to download the free iTunes program in order not only to view files, but also to manage them. Then the use of Apple gadgets will be complete.