- While the Mac definitely has some of the top-notch apps that Windows counterparts will never be able to compete with, there are a few areas where a Mac doesn’t offer the convenience that a Windows PC does. One of these is attaching storage devices to your computer. If you ever need to transfer files from your Android device to your computer, you can do so easily on a Windows PC.
- Apr 24, 2020 On your new Mac: Choose the backup to transfer information from. Click Continue. Continuing on your new Mac: Select the information to transfer from the backup. Click Continue to start the transfer. If you have a lot of content, the transfer might take several hours to finish. In the example above, John Appleseed is a macOS user account.
How to Move Your Mac files to a Windows PC. Connect your external drive to your Mac, open the drive and select File. Select New Folder. Type Exported Files' and hit Return. Skip to Step.
Nowadays, the iPad is getting thinner with a bigger screen and is becoming a Mac substitute for many users. When using iPad for work or for fun, you must need to transfer files from Mac to iPad at some point.
This guide will show you all possible ways to move files between Mac and iPad. All files, including music, photos, contacts, movies, TV shows, PDF, Word/Excel documents, etc. can be transferred. Just select a method that works best for you.
Transfer Files from Mac to iPad Using iTunes
Using iTunes is a classic way to transfer files between Mac and iPad, although iTunes is killed in the latest macOS Catalina 10.15. (Check how to sync iPhone/iPad to Mac on macOS Catalina)
If you haven't updated your Mac to the newest macOS 10.15, you can still use iTunes on your Mac to transfer files to iPad.
Sync media files from Mac to iPad
To transfer photo, music, video files from Mac to iPad, you have to sync your iPad with the iTunes library on your Mac, which may delete some existing files on your iPad.
Step 1: Run iTunes on Mac and plug your iPad into Mac. (What to do when iTunes won't recognize your iPad?)
Step 2: Select your iPad in iTunes. Click Music, Photos, Movies or TV Shows and click Sync button on the bottom.
Share documents from Mac to iPad
File Sharing on iTunes enables apps like Pages, Keynote to share files between Mac and iPad. To transfer documents from Mac to iPad:
Click File Sharing on iTunes;
All your iPad apps that support File Sharing will show up;
Select an app and click Add to add files from Mac to iPad.
How to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad without iTunes
Syncing iPad to iTunes library on Mac could wipe some existing files on Mac. That's why many people would like to import files to iPad from Mac without iTunes.
FonePaw iOS Transfer can replace iTunes for iPad files transfer. As a matter of fact, transferring files with the FonePaw tool is much more convenient than iTunes. It won't overwrite the existing files on your iPad and it supports files transfer from iPad back to Mac, too. Moreover, files transfer between iPhone and iPad, iPad and iPod Touch is also possible with FonePaw iOS Transfer.
iPad Pro, iPad Air 3/2, iPad mini 4/3, iPad 2 and any other iPad models are all supported.
Step 1: Connect iPad to Mac
After launching FonePaw iOS Transfer on your MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac or Mac Pro, get you iPad connected to Mac using a USB cable. After detected, your iPad will be shown up in the home window of the program.
Step 2: Move Files from Mac to iPad
Select a category in the left column. For example, select Videos, which will load all video files on your iPad. Click 'Add'. In the pop-up file browser window, navigate to the folder on your Mac where you save video files you want to transfer. Then, click 'Open' to copy movies to your iPad.
Further reading:
How to Put Movies on iPad from Mac
How to Transfer Files from Mac to iPad Wirelessly
If you don't have a USB cable on hand right now, you can also transfer files from Mac to iPad wirelessly without USB cables. That's to use AirDrop to share the files between Mac and iPad.
Although AirDrop comes to handy when transferring one or several files at a time, it is not reliable if you need to move a large number of files between iPad and Mac. You're recommended to use a USB cable if there are numerous files on your Mac to transfer to iPad.
Step 1: Make sure that AirDrop is enabled on both your iPad and Mac.
Step 2: On your MacBook or iMac, open the file, such as a photo, you want to send to iPad. Tap the Share button.
Step 3: When AirDrop displays the name of your iPad, tap the device to receive the files from Mac.
The Mac file will then be transferred to iPad wirelessly.
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Migration Assistant makes it super easy to move data from your old Mac to your new one, either directly or from a Time Machine backup. You can connect two Macs with Thunderbolt, FireWire, or Ethernet, or even just using the same Wi-Fi network if you don't have one of these cables. Migrating your old data to your new computer will make it possible for you to start working on your brand new Mac without missing a beat.
If you are new to Mac, you can also migrate your old PC data.
Before you start
- Update your software - If your old Mac is running OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or earlier, you will need to update your software first.
- Name your old Mac - If you haven't done so already, make sure your old Mac has a name. Open System Preferences > Sharing > and enter a name in the Computer Name field.
- Connect your old and new computers to a power source - Both devices need to be plugged into a power source to ensure that you don't run out of juice in the middle of the migration process.
- Get your Thunderbolt, FireWire, or Ethernet cable ready - Direct connection is the fastest way to migrate your data from your old Mac to your new. If you don't have the required cable, you can use your local Wi-Fi network instead, but the process will be slower.
How to migrate your old Mac's data to your new Mac
Start with your old Mac
- Connect the Thunderbolt, FireWire, or Ethernet cable from your old Mac to your new Mac.
- If you are using local Wi-Fi, make sure both Macs are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Open your new Mac
- Launch a Finder window by clicking on the Finder icon in your Dock.
Click on Applications in the sidebar.
Source: iMore
- Double-click on the Utilities folder.
Double-click on Migration Assistant.
Source: iMore
- Click Continue.
- Enter your administrator password if prompted.
Click OK.
Source: iMore
- Click From a Mac... when prompted to select how you want to transfer your information.
Click Continue.
Source: iMore
Go back to your old Mac
- Launch a Finder window by clicking the Finder icon in your Dock.
Click on Applications in the sidebar.
Source: iMore
- Double-click on the Utilities folder.
Double-click on Migration Assistant.
Source: iMore
- Click Continue.
- Enter your administrator password if prompted.
Click OK.
Source: iMore
- Click To a new Mac... when prompted to select how you want to transfer your information.
Click Continue.
Source: iMore
Go back to your new Mac
- Migration Assistant will be looking for a source. Select your old Mac (if you are using a Time Machine backup, select your Time Machine hard drive).
Click Continue.
- A security code will display on the screen.
Source: iMore
Go back to your old Mac
- Confirm that the code on your old Mac is the same as the one on your new Mac.
Click Continue.
Source: iMore
Transfer Files From Mac To Mac
Go back to your new Mac
- Select the files, settings, apps, and other information you want to transfer to your new Mac.
Click Continue.
Source: iMore
Iphone To Mac File Transfer
This will probably take a while, so grab a cup of coffee and watch your favorite movie while the process takes place.
When you're done
Your new Mac should have all of the data that you selected to transfer. If you migrated everything, your new Mac will look almost exactly like your old one.
If you are planning on selling your old Mac, don't forget to clean it before transferring to its new owner.
Questions?
Let us know in the comments below!
File Transfer Apps For Mac
Updated May 2020: Up-to-date for macOS Catalina.
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