How do i transfer everything from one ipad to another

Question

Table of Contents Show

Transfer Data from Old to New iPad with iCloud
Move an Old iPad a New iPad with iTunes
How to transfer data from iPad to iPad using Quick Start
How to transfer data from iPad to iPad using a backup
How do I transfer data from old iPad to new iPad without iCloud?

So you just upgraded to a new iPad, and you want to move all of your apps, pictures, settings, and data from an old iPad to the new iPad, right? Doing this is easy, you can go the post-PC route with iCloud (recommended), or the old fashioned way with iTunes, we’ll show you both.

Transfer Data from Old to New iPad with iCloud

Using iCloud is by far the easiest method, but you’ll obviously need to have iCloud set up and configured for this to work. This is the post-PC method, you won’t need to use a computer at all.

From the Old iPad

Launch “Settings” and tap on iCloud, then tap on “Storage & Backup”
Tap on “Back Up Now” to initiate a manual iCloud back up
Let the backup finish and then leave the old iPad alone

Your work on the old iPad is finished, now pick up the brand new iPad and turn it on.

From the New iPad

At the “Set Up iPad” screen, choose “Restore from iCloud Backup” and tap “Next”

Login to your iCloud account and choose the most recent backup from the old iPad you just made
Tap on “Restore” to transfer the data from the old iPad backup to the new iPad

How long the transfer takes depends on how much stuff you keep on the iPad and how fast your internet connection is. Just let the process complete and don’t interrupt it or lose the wifi connection.

Move an Old iPad a New iPad with iTunes

You can also migrate an old iPad to a new iPad with the help of iTunes. This is the old fashioned way since it requires hooking up the iPads to a computer, but it works just fine if you don’t have iCloud or you aren’t on a fast internet connection. These instructions are the same for Mac OS X or Windows.

With the Old iPad

Launch iTunes and connect the old iPad to the computer
Right-click the iPad in the iTunes sidebar and choose “Back Up”

Let the iPad backup finish within iTunes, keep iTunes open but disconnect the old iPad from the computer

With the New iPad

Turn the new iPad on and at the “Set Up iPad” screen choose “Restore from iTunes Backup” then tap “Next”
Connect the iPad to the computer and within iTunes choose the most recent backup from the restore menu
Click “Continue” and let the restore via iTunes take place, do not disconnect the iPad until the transfer is completed and the iPad has rebooted

Restoring from iTunes may actually be quicker than restoring from iCloud, depending on the size of your backups and the speed of the internet connection. Even so, migrating with iCloud is the easiest and thus what is most recommended.

Note: If you already set up the new iPad, you can easily return to the original set up and configuration screen required for the transfer by tapping from Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, this will reset any iOS device to factory defaults. This erases everything on the iPad, so only do this if you are certain.

Home
How-to
Tablets

Two iPads with identical home screens after transferring data

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

You'll need to know how to transfer data from iPad to iPad if it's your lucky day for a tablet upgrade. One of main reasons why iPads are among the best tablets you can buy is that they're simple to use. And this is no exception — Apple make transferring data between two iPads really straightforward. However, there are a couple of different methods you can use and it's not immediately obvious which is best.

In our guide below we'll explain what your options are for transferring your stuff from an old to a new iPad, and how to do it. Make sure you've got some time to spare though, as even on one of the best iPads, sending all your data over can take a while!

How to transfer data from iPad to iPad using Quick Start

1. Place your new and old iPads next to each other to enable Quick Start.

2. Scan the pattern on your new iPad with your old iPad.

3. After some initial set-up steps, select either Transfer from iPad or Download from iCloud to send your data over to the new iPad.

4. Finish the set-up process and your new iPad will be ready to use with all your data present.

Read on to see detailed instructions for each step.

1. First, put your two iPads close to each other. This allows your new iPad to detect your old one and set up the data transfer.

An iPad offering to Quick Start a nearby new iPad

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

2. Your new iPad will start displaying a circle of waving dots, as you can see in the background of the image below. You need to scan this with the camera pop-up that appears on the old iPad to confirm it's these two devices you're looking to swap data between.

An iPad with the Quick Start pattern scanning camera open and a new iPad in the background

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Move the pattern on the screen of the new iPad into view of the old iPad's camera. The circle will turn green on the old iPad's screen when the pattern is in view.

An iPad scanning the Quick Start pattern on a new
iPad

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

3. Now it's time to set up a few basic things on the new iPad. On the new device, enter the passcode or password of your old iPad, wait for the iPad to activate, and then follow the steps to activate Touch ID or Face ID unlocking.

An iPad requesting a passcode to enable Quick Start setup

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

4. When your new iPad asks where to import data from, select Transfer from iPad.

An iPad asking whether to transfer data from another nearby iPad or from iCloud

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

6. Now you have the chance to make any changes to the data you're transferring if you wish. By default, all your app data and settings will be sent over just as they were on your old iPad. If you want to leave something behind, then tap the relevant heading on this menu and change your chosen settings. Otherwise, tap Continue.

An iPad asking the user to confirm which data to transfer

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

7. Your old iPad will then start sending its data over. Be prepared for a long wait to transfer everything over, and an even longer one if you need to also update the OS software on the new device.

Two iPads transferring data to one another

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

8. Once that's complete, and your iPad has restarted, finish the set-up process by agreeing to the terms and conditions and setting up Apple Wallet, Siri, Screentime and so on. When that's complete, you'll arrive on the home screen with all your apps present, although some may not be fully downloaded yet. Give your iPad a little while and it'll eventually have everything downloaded and ready to use.

How to transfer data from iPad to iPad using a backup

An alternative way of transferring data from an old iPad to a new iPad is to use an iCloud backup of your old iPad. You don't need to use your old iPad to apply this second method, which can be useful if you want to use it normally while setting up your new one. However, it is also handy to use the Quick Start option since it'll let you skip some early parts of the set-up process like entering your Apple ID or your WiFi details.

1. Before starting the iPad set-up process, first make sure your backup is up to date on your old iPad. To do this, open Settings, then tap your iCloud profile at the top. Select iCloud, and then iCloud Backup.

Two screenshots from the iPadOS settings menu, showing where to find the iCloud settings

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

2. Under the Back Up Now prompt, you'll see the time you last backed up your data. Tap the Back Up Now button if you want a more recent copy to be taken. If the last back up was very recent, you can leave it as is.

Two screenshots from the iPadOS settings menu, showing where to find the iCloud Backup settings

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

3. Now, follow the first steps from the previous method — place the two iPads close together, scan the pattern and let the new iPad activate.Then set-up Touch ID or Face ID.

4. The difference comes when you get to the data import section. Here, tap the Download from iCloud option.

An iPad asking whether to transfer data from another nearby iPad or from iCloud

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

5. Select the backup you want to use, then confirm the data you want to import and the new iPad will start downloading it.

An iPad asking which iCloud backup to use

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

6. At this point, there's nothing to do but wait. Go and treat yourself to a cup of coffee perhaps while iCloud fills your new iPad up with your data.

An iPad restoring from iCloud

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

7. Once the restoration is complete, simply follow the remaining steps and after that (plus maybe a few restarts) you'll be good to go.

An iPad that has finished restoring from iCloud

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

There's more for you to learn about your iPad that we can teach you. How about how to block websites on iPhone and iPad to keep inappropriate websites away from sensitive eyes, or how to switch Apple ID on iPhone and iPad if you happen to be sharing an Apple phone or tablet with someone else? If you are looking for more storage, you can look at our simple guide on how to upgrade iCloud storage on iPhone, iPad and Mac.

There's also our guide on how to edit PDFs on iPhone and iPad that'll help you sign or mark-up important documents, and how to screenshot a full page on iPhone and iPad for simple website capturing that are worth checking out too.

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.

Richard is a Tom's Guide staff writer based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.