This article will show you three ways to set up a new iPad by installing all of the information from an old one. Quick Start instructions apply to iOS 11 and later

What to Know

  • Put your old iPad beside your new one to begin Quick Start.Quick Start transfers your old iPad’s data, settings, and apps to your new one.If your old iPad doesn’t work, download everything using a backup.

How Do I Transfer Everything From One iPad to Another?

There are a few ways to move all of your data from your old iPad to your new one:

  • Quick StartiCloud BackupFinder or iTunes

If your old iPad is still in working condition, the simplest way is to use Quick Start.

Use Quick Start to Transfer Data From One iPad to Another

Quick Start is an automatic setup process that imports your settings and data to the new device. If your old iPad has a working camera, you can use it to set up your new one.

  • Turn on your new iPad. Place it near your old iPad.
  • You won’t be able to use your old iPad during the setup process. Choose a time when you won’t need to use it.
  • Choose which Apple ID to transfer data from, and then press Continue. If you have multiple Apple IDs, you can transfer purchases from those later.
  • Authenticate the setup. The new iPad will display an animation. Take a picture of it with your old iPad. If you can’t use your current device’s camera, tap Authenticate Manually.
  • Finish the setup procedure on your new device. After you authenticate the setup, you can finish the setup on your new iPad.
  • Enter your current device’s passcode. You will also be given the opportunity to set up Face ID or Touch ID at this time.
  • Transfer your data. You will see a screen that says Transfer Data from (Device). Tap Continue to begin transferring your data from your old iPad to your new one.
  • Keep your iPads plugged in beside each other while your data is transferred. The process may take up to two hours, depending on network speeds and the amount of data being transferred.

iCloud Backup Can Transfer Data From One iPad to Anotheer

If your old iPad won’t turn on, you can still transfer data using an iCloud backup. Unless this feature is disabled, your device automatically backs up apps and data to iCloud when it is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi. Here’s how to restore an old backup on your new iPad.

Turn on your new iPad. Place it near your old iPad.

You won’t be able to use your old iPad during the setup process. Choose a time when you won’t need to use it.

Choose which Apple ID to transfer data from, and then press Continue. If you have multiple Apple IDs, you can transfer purchases from those later.

Authenticate the setup. The new iPad will display an animation. Take a picture of it with your old iPad. If you can’t use your current device’s camera, tap Authenticate Manually.

Finish the setup procedure on your new device. After you authenticate the setup, you can finish the setup on your new iPad.

Enter your current device’s passcode. You will also be given the opportunity to set up Face ID or Touch ID at this time.

Transfer your data. You will see a screen that says Transfer Data from (Device). Tap Continue to begin transferring your data from your old iPad to your new one.

Keep your iPads plugged in beside each other while your data is transferred. The process may take up to two hours, depending on network speeds and the amount of data being transferred.

  • Turn on your new iPad. This will begin the setup process.
  • Select your language and country.
  • Choose Set Up Manually.
  • Join your Wi-Fi network.
  • Set up Touch ID and Passcode, if desired.
  • From the Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
  • Sign in to iCloud using your Apple ID and password.
  • Choose a backup. Backups have their date and size listed. If you choose the most recent one, you can always revert to an older one if needed.
  • Keep your device plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi while it downloads your content.
  • Complete the setup process.

Using Finder or iTunes to Transfer Data From One iPad to Another

If you made a backup of your old iPad on your computer, you can transfer it to your new iPad using Finder or iTunes. Here’s how.

Turn on your new iPad. This will begin the setup process.

Select your language and country.

Choose Set Up Manually.

Join your Wi-Fi network.

Set up Touch ID and Passcode, if desired.

From the Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from iCloud Backup.

Sign in to iCloud using your Apple ID and password.

Choose a backup. Backups have their date and size listed. If you choose the most recent one, you can always revert to an older one if needed.

Keep your device plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi while it downloads your content.

Complete the setup process.

  • Set up your new iPad. Follow steps 1-5 in the previous method.
  • From the Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from Mac or PC.
  • Connect your new iPad to your computer with a Lightning cable.
  • Open iTunes on your PC. If you have a Mac running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later, open a Finder window.
  • When your new iPad asks if you trust this computer, choose Trust.
  • Select Restore Backup. Choose a backup and wait for it to download.

Set up your new iPad. Follow steps 1-5 in the previous method.

From the Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from Mac or PC.

Connect your new iPad to your computer with a Lightning cable.

Open iTunes on your PC. If you have a Mac running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later, open a Finder window.

When your new iPad asks if you trust this computer, choose Trust.

Select Restore Backup. Choose a backup and wait for it to download.

  • How do I transfer data from my iPhone to an iPad?
  • Transfer data from your iPhone to an iPad using Quick Start or an iCloud backup. You can use Airdrop on iPhone to transfer individual files between your iOS devices.
  • How do I transfer data from my Android to an iPad?
  • When setting up your new iOS device, tap Move Data from Android on the Apps & Data screen. Then on your Android device, open the Move to iOS app and follow the instructions. You can also transfer files between Android and iPad using third-party apps like Dropbox or Google Drive.
  • How do I transfer files from my iPad to a PC or Mac?
  • To transfer files from an iPad to a Mac or PC, use AirDrop, iCloud, or Lightning. To transfer files using a Lightning connector, you’ll need the latest version of iTunes on your PC.

Transfer data from your iPhone to an iPad using Quick Start or an iCloud backup. You can use Airdrop on iPhone to transfer individual files between your iOS devices.

When setting up your new iOS device, tap Move Data from Android on the Apps & Data screen. Then on your Android device, open the Move to iOS app and follow the instructions. You can also transfer files between Android and iPad using third-party apps like Dropbox or Google Drive.

To transfer files from an iPad to a Mac or PC, use AirDrop, iCloud, or Lightning. To transfer files using a Lightning connector, you’ll need the latest version of iTunes on your PC.

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