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How to Transfer Music to IPads

By David Weedmark
Connect the iPad to your computer so it can access the iTunes app.
i Image courtesy of Apple.

When you buy music from iTunes, Apple ensures that you have access to your purchases from any device at any time via iCloud. Music that you ripped yourself is another story. Apple doesn't offer the option to put your own songs on iCloud. However, you can transfer them to your computer using the iTunes app and your iPad's USB cable. Any song files that are recognized by iTunes will be recognized by the iPad, including MP3s and CD rips.

Step 1

Open iTunes and connect an iPad to your computer.
i Image courtesy of Apple.

Download the latest version of iTunes on your computer. If you haven't added music to iTunes yet, you can import song files or entire folders from the File menu. Connect your iPad to the computer with its USB cable and follow the on-screen prompts. You may be asked to enter your Apple ID and password in iTunes the first time you connect the iPad.

Step 2

Grant access to the computer from the iPad's screen.
i Image courtesy of Apple.

Swipe the iPad's lock screen. A message appears on the iPad's home screen asking you to verify that you trust the connected computer. Select "Trust."

Step 3

Click the iPad icon when it appears in iTunes.
i Image courtesy of Apple.

Click the iPad's icon when it appears in iTunes.

Step 4

Sync your entire music library automatically.
i Image courtesy of Apple.

Click the "Music" option in the left menu, then click the "Sync Music" check box. By default, iTunes automatically syncs your entire music library to the iPad. Before selecting this option, take a look at the bottom of the screen to see how much storage is still free on the iPad.

Step 5

Manually select specific songs to sync.
i Image courtesy of Apple.

Click the "Selected Playlists, Artists, Albums and Genres" option to manually sync specific music to the iPad. Click the available options to specify what you want sent to the iPad. Note that you also have the option to include music, videos and voice memos. If you can't decide what to transfer, click the "Automatically Fill Free Space with Songs" check box, and iTunes will do just that.

Step 6

Click the "Apply" button to begin the sync process.
i Image courtesy of Apple.

Click the "Apply" button to transfer your selections to the iPad. When the progress bar at the top of iTunes indicates that the sync is complete, you can safely disconnect the iPad from the computer. All of your transferred music is in the Music app on the iPad.

References

Tips

  • While iTunes is free and relatively easy to use, it's not your only option. If you put song files in a cloud service like Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox, you can play those songs on the iPad. Cloud music players like CloudBeats, BoxPlayer and Player for Google Drive are available in the iPad's App Store.
  • ITunes also has the ability to sync your iPad to your computer using Wi-Fi. Connect the iPad to the computer with the USB cable, click the "iPad" icon, select "Summary" and then click the "Sync with this iPad Over Wi-Fi" check box. After you apply this option, you don't need to use the USB cable again.

Writer Bio

A published author and professional speaker, David Weedmark has advised businesses and governments on technology, media and marketing for more than 20 years. He has taught computer science at Algonquin College, has started three successful businesses, and has written hundreds of articles for newspapers and magazines throughout Canada and the United States.

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