7 Simple Ways to Put Photos on iPad: iCloud, AirDrop, Email, & More

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Transfer images to your iPad with or without a computer
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Whether you’re trying to transfer photos from your iPhone onto your new iPad or get your favorite images off your computer, it’s easier than ever to put photos on an iPad. In this article, we’ll explain the best ways to import photos onto your iPad, either in bulk or a few at a time.

The Easiest Ways to Put Photos on an iPad

If you have multiple Apple devices, access your photos across all of them by enabling iCloud Photos . When setting up a brand new iPad, you can easily move pictures over from another Apple device using Quick Start . Share a few photos at a time with AirDrop . Connect your iPad to a computer to sync with Finder or iTunes .

Method 1
Method 1 of 7:

Syncing Photos with iCloud

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  1. 1
    Make sure your iPad is logged into the same Apple Account as your other device. With iCloud Photos, you can easily share photos across all your Apple devices. You just need to make sure your iPad is logged into the same account as the device that has the photos you want. [1]
    • On your iPad, open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the left-hand menu. If you’re not signed into the right Apple Account, scroll down and tap Sign Out .
    • To sign in with the correct account, go to Settings > Apple Account and select either Use Another Apple Device or Sign In Manually . [2]
      • If you chose Use Another Apple Device , move your other device (such as an iPhone or another iPad signed in to the correct Apple Account) close to your iPad. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish signing in.
      • If you selected Sign In Manually , enter the email address or phone number and password associated with your Apple Account.
  2. 2
    Enable iCloud Photos on your iPad and your other device(s). This will cause your photos to sync across any devices where you have iCloud Photos enabled. Just keep in mind that if you delete or edit an image on one device, it will also be deleted or changed on all your other connected devices! Your photos will also take up space in your iCloud drive, so make sure you have enough storage available.
    • On your iPad, go to Settings , tap your name, and select iCloud . Tap Photos and toggle on Sync this iPad .
    • On an iPhone, go to Settings > your name > iCloud > Photos and toggle on Sync this iPhone .
    • If you want to sync photos from a Mac, go to Apple menu > System Settings and click your name. Click iCloud , select Photos , and toggle on Sync this Mac .
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  3. 3
    View the photos in your Photos app. You should now be able to see photos from your connected devices in your iPad’s Photos app! Keep in mind that there can sometimes be delays between when a picture is taken on another device and when it syncs to your iPad. For example, syncing will be paused if the device is in low power mode or is currently offline.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 7:

Using Quick Start (New iPads)

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  1. 1
    Turn on your new iPad. If you’re setting up a new iPad and you want to transfer photos from another Apple device (like an iPhone or an older iPad), you can easily do so with Quick Start. To transfer photos this way, you’ll need to have iPadOS 13 or later on your new iPad, and iPadOS 13 or iOS 12.4 or later on the device you’re transferring from. To get started, connect your new iPad to power and hold down the power button until the Apple logo appears. [3]
    • Your older iPhone or iPad will need to be backed up to iCloud for this to work. Bluetooth will also need to be enabled on the old device.
  2. 2
    Tap Use Quick Start . When you see the Use Quick Start option, select it to begin the transfer process. There may be a few other steps (such as selecting your language and connecting to Wi-Fi or cellular data) before you get to this screen. [4]
  3. 3
    Bring the other device close to your iPad. Both your old device and the new iPad should be connected to power. Keep them close together during the transfer process.
  4. 4
    Follow the prompts on your old device to start the process. You’ll need to use the camera on your old device to scan an animation on the new iPad’s screen. Once that’s done, you may be prompted to enter the passcode from your old device on the new iPad.
  5. 5
    Select Transfer from [device] or Transfer from iCloud . Follow the prompts on the new iPad until you see an option to transfer data from your other iPad or iPhone, either directly between devices or using iCloud. Select one of these options to import settings, apps, and data, including photos, to your new iPad.
    • Keep in mind that the iCloud transfer is typically much faster than transferring directly from your other device!
    • Follow the prompts to complete the transfer process. Depending on which transfer option you chose and how much data you’re moving over, this process could take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours.
    • Have an Android? You can still transfer your photos to a new iPad! Check out Apple’s guide to transferring data with the Move to iOS app .
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Method 3
Method 3 of 7:

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  1. 1
    Make sure AirDrop is enabled on both devices. If you want to quickly send a few photos to your iPad from another Apple device, you can easily do so with AirDrop. To get started, you’ll need to enable AirDrop on both devices and make sure you have the right settings turned on. [5]
    • On your iPad, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open the Control Center . Tap the AirDrop icon, which looks like a series of concentric rings with a wedge missing from the bottom.
      • If the AirDrop icon is blue, it’s already enabled. You don’t have to do anything.
    • Use the Control Center to check if AirDrop is enabled on your other Apple device. On a Mac, click theicon at the top right side of your screen to open the Control Center. Swipe down from the top right side of the screen on an iPhone or iPad.
    • Each device will also have to have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. You can also enable these features in the Control Center.
  2. 2
    Adjust your iPad’s AirDrop settings if needed. Depending on your settings, your iPad may be able to receive AirDrop files from anyone or only contacts. To check, go to Settings > General > AirDrop .
    • Select Contacts Only if you only want people in your iPad’s contacts list to be able to send you files over AirDrop.
    • To receive an AirDrop from someone who isn’t a contact, select Everyone for 10 Minutes . For your safety and privacy, you can’t enable this setting permanently.
    • If you don’t want to receive AirDrop files at all, select Receiving Off . You’ll still be able to send files over AirDrop.
    • By default, you should be able to AirDrop photos from any device that’s signed into the same Apple Account as your iPad.
  3. 3
    Have the photos sent to your iPad over AirDrop. If you’re AirDropping photos to your iPad from your own device, you can do this yourself on the other device. If someone else is sending you the photo from their device, ask them to do the following:
    • Open the photo(s) you want to transfer in the Photos app. Tap a single photo to open and select it, or tap Select at the top of the photo gallery to select multiple photos at once.
    • Tap or click the Share icon.
    • Select AirDrop from the sharing menu.
    • Select your iPad from the menu. If you’re AirDropping from your own device, you’ll see it under My Devices .
    • Wait for the transfer to complete. The AirDropped photo should automatically open in the Photos app on your iPad.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 7:

Syncing to a Computer

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  1. On a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, you can sync your photos in Finder. On a Mac with Mojave or earlier, or on a Windows PC, use iTunes. If you don't have iTunes, first download it for free from the Apple website .
  2. If you don't have one, you’ll need to buy a cable that works with the ports on your iPad and computer.
    • For most newer Macs and iPads, you can use a USB-C to USB-C cable . Make sure you get one with data transfer capabilities!
    • Older iPads have Lightning ports instead of USB-C, so you’d need to use a Lightning to USB or Lightning to USB-C cable.
    • You may see a prompt on your computer asking if you want to allow the iPad to connect. If so, allow the connection.
    • If prompted to do so, allow your iPad to trust your computer.
  3. 3
    Select the name of your iPad in Finder or iTunes. If you’re using a Mac, open a Finder window and locate your iPad in the sidebar under the Locations header. Click your iPad to open it. In iTunes, click the icon of your iPad in the toolbar at the top of the window. [6]
  4. 4
    Click Photos . In Finder, you’ll see this in the horizontal row of tabs near the top of the device window. In iTunes, it’s one of the options in the device menu that pops up when you click on your iPad.
  5. 5
    Click Sync or Sync Photos . If you don’t see this option, your iPad is already set up to sync photos across your devices with iCloud. Otherwise, you will see an option to sync all your photos or just selected folders or albums. When you’ve made your selection(s), click Apply to start syncing the photos to your iPad.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 7:

Using a USB Flash Drive, Camera, or SD Card

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  1. If you’re moving photos over from a camera, you can skip this step. For more detailed instructions, see Save Files to a USB Flash Drive or Use an SD Memory Card . No matter what kind of external storage you’re using, the process for moving photos onto your iPad will be basically the same.
    • The external drive you use must have only a single data partition, and it must be in a format compatible with your iPad. Compatible formats include APFS and APFS (encrypted), macOS Extended (HFS+), exFAT (FAT64), FAT32, and FAT. [7]
    • If your USB drive or SD card isn’t compatible, you can reformat using your iPad’s Files app or with the built-in utilities on your computer . Just keep in mind that reformatting will erase anything on it, so check the format before putting pictures on the drive.
  2. Make sure you know which model iPad you are using, since they have different types of ports (places to attach cables and other devices).
    • If you are using a first, second, or third-generation iPad, you'll need an iPad Camera Connector . Note: You may have to purchase it as part of the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit.
    • If you are using a fourth-generation or later iPad, you may need a Lightning to USB or USB-C to USB Adapter .
    • Many newer USB drives have USB-C connectors and can be connected directly to an iPad with a USB-C port.
    • If you’re using an SD card, you may be able to get an SD card reader that will plug directly into your iPad without an adapter.
  3. If you have a USB-C drive or SD card reader and an iPad with a USB-C port, attach the drive directly to your iPad instead. You might also be able to plug your camera directly into your iPad without an adapter, depending on what kind of cable you have.
  4. 4
    Open your Photos app. Once the external drive or camera is connected, you’ll have the option to import photos from the drive right into your iPad’s photo gallery. [8]
    • If you don’t want to import the images directly into Photos, you can also import them into Files. [9]
      • Open the Files app, tap the name of your external drive or camera in the left-hand menu bar, tap Select , and select the pictures you want to move.
      • Tap More in the bottom right corner, then select Copy [x] Items .
      • Select On My iPad from the left-side menu bar, then tap and hold any blank area in the main window. Select Paste to move your images to your iPad’s local storage.
  5. 5
    Tap Import and select the photos you want to import. If your USB drive, SD card reader, or camera connects correctly, you should see an Import option in the left-hand menu. It may appear under a Devices header. Select Import , then choose between Import All or Import Selected Items . If you chose the latter, select the photos you want to import, then tap Import Selected .
    • You may be prompted to either keep or delete the originals on your external storage device.
    • If you don’t see an Import option, Photos doesn’t recognize your external drive or camera. There are a few fixes you can try: [10]
      • Make sure iOS is up to date.
      • Disconnect your adapter and/or external drive or camera, then wait 30 seconds and reconnect it.
      • Restart your iPad and try again.
      • Test a different USB drive, SD card and/or reader, or camera to see if the problem is with the device you’re using.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 7:

Using Email

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  1. Use the computer or other device the photos are stored on.
  2. In most email services this is accomplished by clicking "Attach" or a paper clip icon, then selecting the desired files.
    • You can find more details at Add Files or Photos to Your Email.
    • You can attach more than one photo using the same method.
  3. If the photos are high-quality, large, or numerous, or if your internet connection is slow, you may need to wait a few minutes first for them to attach.
    • If you have more than a few photos to transfer, choosing another method is recommended.
  5. You may need to scroll down past the text of the email to see the image.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 7:

Using Messages

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  1. 1
    Have someone text one or more photos to you. If you have Messages set up on your iPad, you can easily save photos from your text messages to your iPad’s photo gallery. Open a conversation that already contains the photos you want to save, or ask someone to text an image to you.
  2. 2
    Tap thedownload button next to the image. You’ll see it to the right of the image in your conversation in the Messages app. A blue checkmark will appear once the image is finished downloading.
  3. 3
    Find the photo in the Photos app. You may need to look under Recent Days or Recently Saved rather than in your main photo gallery.
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      Tips

      • If you can't successfully import photos from an SD card or camera, you can find additional support at [11]
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      • You can also select to include videos from albums or folders by checking the box on the Photos screen in Finder/Apple Devices/iTunes.
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      Warnings

      • Photos and videos take up a lot of space on your iPad. Make sure you have enough room before syncing or importing a lot of images to your local storage.
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      • You may encounter difficulties if you are not using the latest version of iTunes on your PC. You can download it at [12]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108782
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/sign-in-and-manage-your-apple-account-ipad995bbafe/ipados
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/turn-on-and-set-up-ipad-ipad995bb83d/ipados
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102659
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-airdrop-to-send-items-to-nearby-devices-iphcd8b9f0af/ios
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/itunes/sync-photos-itns3102/windows
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/external-storage-devices-ipad75b7b23f/ipados
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/import-and-export-photos-and-videos-ipad99c6eb3e/ipados
      9. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/external-storage-devices-ipad75b7b23f/ipados
      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118280
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/118280
      3. ↑ http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

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