Home > Resources > iPad Tutorials > How to Connect iPad to Mac - How to Link iPad to Mac

How to Connect iPad to Mac?

The iPad, a tablet computer made by Apple, has a multitouch display and a built-in camera for shooting pictures and videos. The basic iPad connects to the Internet over Wi-Fi, and the iPad +3G also connects over cellular data networks, enabling you to download music and videos from the iTunes store and apps from the App Store. You can easily connect iPad to Mac to transfer files using the free iTunes and iPhoto applications that Apple installs on every Mac.

Connecting iPad to Mac with iTunes

Step 1: Click iTunes in the Dock on your Mac to launch Apple's application for playing media and managing your iPad. Connect your iPad to a USB port on your Mac with the iPad's included USB cable. The icon of your iPad appears under "Devices" in the left pane of the iTunes application window. Click the icon of your iPad for linking iPad to Mac.

Step 2: Click the "Summary" tab at the top of the iTunes window to sync or disable automatic syncing of music and videos.

Click the "Apps" tab. Click the "Sync Apps" check box, and then click check boxes next to the name of each app listed in the "Sync Apps" panel.

Click the "Music" tab, the "Sync Music" check box, the check boxes next to songs, and then click "Sync". Click the "Movies" tab, the "Sync Movies" check box, the check boxes next to movies, and then click "Sync".

Step 3: Right-click the icon of your iPad in the left pane of the iTunes window, and then click "Eject". Disconnect your iPad from your Mac.

Connecting iPad to Mac with iPhoto

Step 1: Click "iPhoto" in the Dock on your Mac to launch Apple's native photo management application.

Step 2: Connect your iPad to a USB port on your Mac with iPad's included USB cable. The icon of your iPad appears under "Devices" in the left pane of the iPhoto window.

Step 3: Click the icon of your iPad to connect iPad to Mac. Thumbnail images of photos and videos you shot with the iPad appear in the main iPhoto window. Click an individual thumbnail or several thumbnails to select them, and then click the "Import Selected" button to transfer them to your Mac.

Step 4: Right-click the icon of your iPad in the left pane of the iPhoto window, and then click "Unmount". Disconnect your iPad from your Mac.

Now you can connect iPad to Mac with two methods. You can also copy iPad files to Mac, put videos on iPad, play DVD on iPad and more.

More iPad Tips: