How to Transfer Files App Folders to a New iPad

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Enable iCloud Drive on the source iPad

   Open Settings, tap your Apple ID banner, and select iCloud. Tap Show All under Apps Using iCloud, select iCloud Drive, and ensure Sync this iPad is toggled to On. This ensures your Files data is pushed to the cloud servers for retrieval.

   Note: Verify that your storage plan has sufficient space for your files.
2. 2 min

   Relocate On My iPad files to iCloud Drive

   Launch the Files app and navigate to the On My iPad location. Long-press your local folders or files, select Move, and choose iCloud Drive as the destination. This moves local items to the cloud, making them accessible to your new device.

   Note: This step is necessary because files stored exclusively in the local On My iPad folder do not transfer via standard backups.
3. 1 min

   Sign in to the new iPad

   Power on your new iPad and complete the initial setup process. Sign in with the same Apple ID used on your previous device to ensure your iCloud Drive data syncs automatically upon reaching the Home Screen.

4. 30 sec

   Verify iCloud Drive sync completion

   Open the Files app on the new iPad and select the Browse tab. Tap iCloud Drive and wait for the file list to populate. If your folders are not visible immediately, keep the app open and connected to Wi-Fi to allow the sync process to finish.

5. 2 min

   Move files back to local storage if required

   If you prefer to keep files locally on the new device, select the folders in iCloud Drive, tap the More (...) button, and select Move. Choose On My iPad as the destination to download and store the files directly on the new hardware.

   Note: Files will be downloaded to your device storage upon moving them.