How to Transfer PDFs to a New iPad
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Tested on
- iPadOS 18.4 - iPad Pro M4
- You will need
- Old iPad, New iPad, Apple ID, Stable Wi-Fi connection
Step by step
Enable iCloud Drive on the source iPad
Open the Settings app on your old iPad. Tap your Apple ID name at the top, select iCloud, and ensure the toggle for iCloud Drive is set to On. Confirm that the Files app is selected within the iCloud Drive menu to sync your documents.
Note: Verify that your PDF files are saved within the 'On My iPad' folder if you need to move them to the 'iCloud Drive' folder first.Log in to the new iPad
Sign in to the same Apple ID on your new iPad during the initial setup process. Ensure the device is connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network to allow the sync process to begin. iCloud will automatically begin pulling your document structure down to the Files app.
Use AirDrop for local transfers
If your PDFs are stored locally and you do not want to use iCloud, open the Files app on your old iPad. Locate the PDF, tap the Share icon, and select AirDrop. Choose your new iPad from the available devices to initiate the transfer.
Note: Ensure both devices have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled to facilitate the connection.Accept files on the new iPad
When the AirDrop prompt appears on your new iPad, tap Accept. Choose the destination folder within the Files app to save the transferred PDF. The file will be available immediately for viewing in your preferred reader.
Verify file migration in the Files app
Open the Files app on your new iPad and navigate to the Browse tab. Check the iCloud Drive section to confirm your folders and PDFs have appeared. If files are missing, force a refresh by pulling down on the screen within the Files app.