The fastest way to transfer everything is to use iCloud during setup

When you turn on a new iPad for the first time, you'll see a screen asking whether you want to restore from a backup. If you choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" and sign in with the same Apple ID you use on your current iPad, the new device will download your apps, photos, messages, settings, and most other data automatically. This method transfers nearly everything and requires no cables or computers.

The process takes time — anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed — but it happens in the background while you set up Face ID or Touch ID. You don't have to sit and watch it.

For this to work, your current iPad must have created a recent backup to iCloud. You can check this by opening Settings, tapping your name at the top, then iCloud, then iCloud Backup. If the toggle is on and it shows a recent backup date, you're ready to go.

Key Takeaways

  • iCloud backup during new iPad setup transfers apps, photos, messages, and settings automatically if you sign in with the same Apple ID.
  • A full iCloud backup requires enough free storage space in your iCloud account, which may mean paying for additional storage if you have a lot of data.
  • If you don't want to wait for iCloud or prefer to move data selectively, you can use a Mac or PC with a cable to transfer specific items through Finder or iTunes.
  • Photos, messages, and app data sync continuously through iCloud if you keep both devices signed into the same account, so you don't have to transfer them once.

What gets transferred and what doesn't

iCloud backup includes your app library, home screen layout, Safari bookmarks, Mail accounts, Notes, Reminders, Calendar events, Contacts, Health data, and most app data. Photos and videos go through if they're stored in iCloud Photos rather than just on the device itself.

What doesn't transfer: apps you downloaded from sources outside the App Store, some banking or security apps that lock to a specific device, and any data stored only locally on the old iPad. If an app stores information on the device rather than in the cloud, that app's data may not move over.

Messages and iCloud+ features like Hide My Email transfer if you're signed into the same Apple ID on both devices. However, if you've turned off iCloud sync for a specific app in Settings, that app's data won't be included in the backup.

Setting up iCloud backup before you get a new iPad

Open Settings on your current iPad and tap your name at the top. Go to iCloud, then iCloud Backup. Turn on the toggle if it's off, then tap "Back Up Now." The backup runs immediately and shows a progress bar.

Check how much iCloud storage you're using by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage. If you're close to your limit, you may need to buy more storage before the backup completes. A 50GB plan costs $0.99 per month, 200GB costs $2.99, and 2TB costs $9.99. The backup will fail if you run out of space partway through.

Once the backup finishes, you can set up your new iPad. Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your old iPad stays plugged in during the transfer, since the new device will be downloading from iCloud while your old one may still be uploading final changes.

Using a Mac or PC to transfer data with a cable

If you have a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, connect your new iPad with a USB-C or Lightning cable. Open Finder, click the iPad name in the sidebar, then click "Restore." Choose the backup file from your old iPad, and Finder will copy everything over. This method is faster than iCloud for large amounts of data because it uses a direct connection instead of uploading to the cloud and downloading back down.

On a Windows PC, use iTunes instead of Finder. Connect the new iPad, open iTunes, click the device icon, select "Restore Backup," choose the backup from your old iPad, and click Restore. The process is the same, just with different software.

Before you restore, make sure the backup file exists on your computer. On a Mac, backups are stored in ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/. On Windows, they're in Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\. If you don't see a backup there, create one by connecting your old iPad and running Backup in Finder or iTunes first.

Moving photos and videos without transferring everything

If you only want to move photos and videos, the easiest method is iCloud Photos. On your old iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos and turn on "iCloud Photos." This uploads all your photos and videos to iCloud. On your new iPad, sign in with the same Apple ID and turn on iCloud Photos in the same location. Your photos will download automatically.

If you don't use iCloud Photos, you can connect both iPads to a Mac or PC and use Finder or iTunes to transfer the Photos library. On a Mac, open Finder, connect the old iPad, click it in the sidebar, go to the Files tab, and drag the Photos folder to your Mac. Then connect the new iPad and drag the folder back.

Another option is to use AirDrop if both iPads are nearby. Open Photos on your old iPad, select the photos you want to move, tap Share, choose AirDrop, and select your new iPad. This works for smaller batches but becomes slow if you're moving thousands of photos.

Transferring apps and app data selectively

Apps download automatically on your new iPad if you restore from an iCloud backup and sign in with the same Apple ID. However, if you want to move only certain apps or if some apps didn't transfer, you can download them again from the App Store on your new iPad. Your app data will sync if the app uses iCloud sync, which you can check in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Apps Using iCloud.

Some apps store data locally and don't sync through iCloud. For these, you may need to export the data from the app on your old iPad and import it on your new one. Check the app's settings or help section to see if it has an export or backup feature.

If you have apps that aren't available in your region's App Store or that you sideloaded, they won't transfer automatically. You'll need to reinstall them manually or use a Mac with Xcode if you have the app files saved locally.

What to do if the transfer fails or gets stuck

If the iCloud restore stops partway through, check your internet connection. Weak Wi-Fi is the most common reason transfers fail. Move closer to your router, restart your router, or try connecting to a different network if one is available.

If the backup itself is corrupted or incomplete, you can start over. On your new iPad, go to Settings > General > Reset and choose "Erase All Content and Settings." Then set up the iPad again and try restoring from the backup. This wipes the new device completely, so make sure you're not losing anything you've already added to it.

If you're running out of iCloud storage and the backup keeps failing, buy more storage before trying again. You can also delete old backups you no longer need by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups, tapping an old device name, and choosing "Delete Backup."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data between iPads with different Apple IDs?

Not through iCloud backup — you must restore using the same Apple ID that created the backup. However, you can manually transfer specific items like photos through AirDrop or a Mac, or you can set up the new iPad with the new Apple ID and then sign into the old one's account in individual apps to download their data.

How long does an iCloud backup transfer take?

Restoring from an iCloud backup typically takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have, your internet speed, and how many apps need to download. You can use the new iPad while the restore is happening, though it will be slower until it finishes.

Do I need to keep my old iPad plugged in during the transfer?

For iCloud transfers, your old iPad doesn't need to stay plugged in, but it should stay on and connected to Wi-Fi. For cable transfers through a Mac or PC, both iPads should stay connected to the computer until the transfer completes.

What if I want to move data to an iPad I already set up?

You can still restore from a backup, but it will erase everything currently on the new iPad. Go to Settings > General > Reset and choose "Erase All Content and Settings," then set up the iPad again and restore from your backup during the initial setup process.

Can I transfer data wirelessly without using iCloud?

AirDrop works for photos, videos, and some files if both iPads are nearby, but it's not designed for a full device transfer. For a complete wireless transfer without iCloud, you would need to use a third-party app, though most data transfer apps are slower and less reliable than iCloud or cable methods.