How to Transfer Data from One iPad to Another with/Without iCloud

Updated on Jun 19, 2024 | by Woodward

Quick Navigation:

Method 1. Transfer Data from One iPad to Another Without iCloud
Method 2. Transfer Data from Old iPad to New iPad via AirDrop
Method3. Transfer All Data from One iPad to Another via iTunes
Method 4. Transfer from Old iPad to New iPad Using iCloud
Method 5. Migrate Data from iPad to iPad via Quick Start(for iOS 12.4 and later)
The Bottom Line

Five proven ways to transfer data from one iPad to another.

To transfer data from one iPad to another, use the method that best suits your needs, whether it's AirDrop, iCloud, a computer, or a third-party transfer app.

Method 1. Transfer Data from One iPad to Another Without iCloud

When it comes to transferring data between two iPads, many people turn to Apple's recommended solutions, iCloud or iTunes. However, not everyone is a fan of these options due to various reasons. Fortunately, a third-party iPhone data transfer tool, Qiling MobiMover, offers an alternative. With this program, you can transfer data between iPads, making it a convenient and efficient solution for those who don't like iTunes and iCloud.

To access and view iDevice content from a computer, you can use a third-party app such as iExplorer or PhoneView. These apps allow you to connect your iDevice to your computer via a USB cable, and then access your iDevice's content, such as photos, contacts, and messages, directly from your computer.
To transfer files between an iPhone, iPad, or iPod and a computer, you can use the built-in feature called Quick Start. This feature allows you to easily transfer your data, such as photos, contacts, and more, from your device to your computer.
To back up your iPhone or iPad data, you can use iCloud, iTunes, or a third-party backup app. iCloud automatically backs up your device data, such as photos, contacts, and apps, to the cloud.
To transfer WhatsApp data to a new iPhone, you can use the "Chats Backup" feature in WhatsApp. This allows you to create a backup of your WhatsApp chats and media on your old iPhone, and then restore it on your new iPhone.
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Qiling MobiMover allows you to transfer data from your old iPad to the new one after setup, unlike iTunes or iCloud, which transfer data during setup. This process also ensures no data loss occurs during transfer.

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Step 1.Connect both iPads to the computer, run Qiling MobiMover, select "Phone to Phone" mode, and click "Next". If required, trust the computer on both iPads.

Step 2.To transfer data from one iPad to another, select the desired data from the list provided, and then click the "Transfer" button to proceed with the transfer process.

Step 3.Once the setup is complete, the program will start transferring data. When the transfer is finished, you can check the transferred items on your iPad by opening the corresponding apps.

Method 2. Transfer Data from Old iPad to New iPad via AirDrop

AirDrop is a file-AirDrop is a sharing service that allows you to share photos, videos, contacts, documents, and more between two AirDrop-supported Apple devices, such as iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and Apple Watch.

iPhone 5 or later
iPad (4th generation or later)
iPad mini
iPod touch (5th generation or later)

To send data from iPad to iPad via AirDrop:

Step 1. To enable AirDrop on both devices, go to the Control Center on each device and turn on AirDrop. This will allow the devices to discover each other and initiate the file transfer process.

Step 2. Go to the app on the source iPad that contains the files you want to transfer.

Step 3. Select the items you want to share and tap the "Share" button.

Step 4. Choose AirDrop and select the name of the target iPad.

How to transfer data from one iPad to another with iCloud

Method3. Transfer All Data from One iPad to Another via iTunes

If you're willing to erase your current data, you can use iTunes to migrate all data to a new iPad by backing up your old iPad and then restoring the backup to the new iPad.

To transfer data to a new iPad using iTunes:

Step 1. Connect your old iPad to your computer using a USB cable and launch iTunes.

Step 2. To access the iTunes window, click the "Device" icon and go to "Summary" on your PC, ensuring your iPhone is properly connected and visible. If it's not showing up, resolve the issue first before proceeding.

Step 3. To back up your old iPad to iTunes, click the "Back Up Now" button, which will initiate the backup process. This will copy all of your data, settings, and apps to your computer, allowing you to restore your new iPad with the same settings and content.

Step 4. Set up your new iPad, then choose "Restore from iTunes Backup" on the Apps & Data screen.

Step 5. To connect your iPad to your computer, tap the "Next" button on your iPad. This will initiate the setup process.

Step 6. Choose the backup you made just now and click "Continue."

Step 7. Wait until the restore process completes.

How to transfer data from iPad to iPad using iTunes

Method 4. Transfer from Old iPad to New iPad Using iCloud

If you have enough iCloud storage to save your iPhone data and settings, using iCloud to migrate data from your old iPad to the new one is also a good option.

To sync everything from one iPad to another via iCloud:

Step 1. To access iCloud on an old iPad, go to the "Settings" app, then tap on your name at the top of the screen, and finally select "iCloud".

Step 2. To enable iCloud backup, go to Settings, scroll down to choose "iCloud Backup" and toggle on "iCloud Backup."

Step 3. Click "Back Up Now" to make a backup of your iPad content and wait for the backup to complete.

Step 4. To set up your new iPad and restore everything from iCloud, select "Restore from iCloud Backup" in the Apps & Data screen during the setup process. This will restore all your data and settings from iCloud to the new device.

Step 5. Make sure the old iPad is connected to a power source and turned on. Enter the Apple ID account on the old iPad and select the backup you just made, which should be displayed as an available backup option.

Step 6. Wait until the restore finishes and continue to set up your device.

How to transfer data from one iPad to another using iCloud

Method 5. Migrate Data from iPad to iPad via Quick Start(for iOS 12.4 and later)

If both of your devices run iOS 12.4 or later, you can use Quick Start to set up your new iPad quickly.

Step 1. To enable Bluetooth on your previous iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, and toggle the switch to the "On" position. On your new iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, and toggle the switch to the "On" position as well.

Step 2. Place your target iPad next to your old iPad, and the Quick Start screen will appear on the source device, giving you the option to set up the new iPad using your Apple ID.

Step 3. Make sure the Apple ID you're about to use is the correct one, then click "Continue" to proceed.

Step 4. To transfer data from an old iPad to a new one, hold the old device over the new one, center the animation in the viewfinder, and follow the on-screen instructions, which will guide you through the process and eventually display a message saying "Finish on New iPad."

Step 5. To transfer data from the previous iPad to the new one, enter the passcode of the previous iPad on the new one. This will allow you to access the previous iPad's data, such as contacts, photos, and apps, and transfer them to the new iPad.

Step 6. To set up FaceID or Touch ID on your new device, follow the on-screen instructions. This will guide you through the process of configuring the facial recognition or fingerprint scanning feature to securely unlock and authenticate your device.

Step 7. To transfer data from one iPad to another, click "Transfer from iPad" on the new iPad. This will initiate the transfer process, which will copy all data, including settings, apps, and content, from the old iPad to the new one.

Step 8. When the data migration is complete, you can confidently switch to your new device without any concerns.

Migrate data via Quick Start

The Bottom Line

Whether you want to transfer data from your iPad to another iPad all at once or selectively, you can do it using the methods outlined in Part 1 if you've already set up the target iPad. Alternatively, if you're moving data from an old iPad to a brand new one, following the tips in Part 2 is recommended.