2 Easy Ways to Transfer Photos From a Computer to an iPad

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Sync or upload photos from your computer to iPad
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Do you have photos you want to put on your iPad? While you can't directly transfer into an iPad's image folder via USB, you can use iTunes sync or iCloud sync. Here's how to transfer photos from PC to iPad.

Moving Pictures From Computer to iPad

To transfer pictures from your PC to your iPad, log into https://www.icloud.com/ . Open the Photos app and click the cloud icon to upload photos. Photos should sync immediately to your iPad. To make sure it's enabled, go to Settings > Apple account > iCloud > Photos > toggle on Sync this iPad .

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using iCloud

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  1. Go to https://www.icloud.com/ in a web browser. You can use the iCloud website to upload photos from your PC and sync them to your iPad. If you aren't already logged in to your Apple account , do so now.
    • You can also download the iCloud desktop app from the Microsoft Store app.
    • You must have iCloud enabled to use this method. If it isn't enabled, open Settings on your iPad > Apple account > iCloud > Photos > toggle on Sync this iPad . [1]
  2. You can find this app on the home page.
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  3. This is in the sidebar. You can also click an album to navigate there directly.
    • If you don't see the sidebar, click the icon with two rectangles.
  4. This has an up-arrow inside of it.
  5. If you want to select more than one photo, hold down CTRL and click the photos. To select all the photos in a folder, press CTRL + A .
  6. This may take a few moments. Once the photos are uploaded to your iCloud, they'll be synced to your iPad.
  7. Tap the Photos app to see the photos you uploaded from your computer. If you don't see your photos, you can check the sync status in the library.
    • iOS 18 or newer: tap the profile button in the top corner of the Photos app. View the sync status below your name. Tap Sync Now if necessary. [2]
    • iOS 17 or older: tap Library , and then tap All Photos . View the sync status at the very bottom.
    • Make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi to allow your iPad to sync.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using iTunes

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  1. Open iTunes on your PC. You’ll usually find it in the Start menu sometimes in a folder called All Apps .
  2. Use the USB cord that came with the iPad (or a compatible replacement). Once the iPad is connected, a small button will appear near the top-left corner of iTunes that looks like phone or tablet.
  3. This is the new button that appeared near the top-left corner of iTunes. Your iPad will now appear in the left column.
    • If your iPad doesn’t show up in iTunes, make sure it’s powered on, the screen is unlocked, and that the home screen is accessible. [4]
    • You may have to tap Trust on the iPad before it will appear in iTunes.
  4. It’s under the “Settings” header in the left panel.
  5. It’s at the top of the right panel.
    • If you see a message that says “iCloud Photos is on,” your iPad is set up to sync photos with your iCloud account instead of iTunes. You won’t be able to transfer photos with iTunes unless you turn off iCloud syncing for your photos. [5]
      • If you don't want to stop syncing your iPad photos to iCloud, see the previous method to learn how to upload photos using iCloud on Windows.
      • To disable iCloud photo syncing on your iPad so you can use iTunes to sync photos, open Settings on your iPad > Apple account > iCloud > Photos > toggle off Sync this iPad .
  6. Click the “Copy photos from” menu at the top of the right panel, then select the folder where you store your photos.
    • The Pictures folder is selected by default because that’s the default storage location for Windows photos. If you keep your photos elsewhere, click the menu, click Choose folder , and then select that folder.
    • To sync every photo in the selected folder, select All folders in the right panel. If you want to specify sub-folders to sync, select Selected folders instead, and then check the box next to each sub-folder.
    • Check the box that says “Include videos” in the right panel if you want to copy videos from these folders to your iPad.
  8. It’s near the bottom-right corner of iTunes. The selected photos will now sync to your iPad.
    • When you’re finished syncing, click Done at the bottom-right corner of iTunes, and then click the Ejectbutton at the top of the left column.
    • To view your photos, tap the Photos app (a multicolored flower icon typically found on the home screen), and then tap See All under “From My Mac.” This is what the folder is called even if you’re using a PC.
  9. If you decide you no longer want to sync photos in iTunes, re-connect the iPad to the PC, click Photos in the left column, and then remove the check mark from “Sync Photos. [6] ”
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/set-up-icloud-photos-mm7e90c1ba48/icloud
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/101559
      3. ↑ https://www.apple.com/itunes/
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204095
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201313
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201313

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