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

When you turn on a new iPad for the first time, you will see a screen asking whether you want to restore from a backup. If you sign in with the same Apple ID you used on your old iPad, you can choose to restore from an iCloud backup — this copies your apps, photos, settings, and documents all at once. The process takes time (anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed), but you do not have to do anything while it runs.

This method works best if your old iPad is still working and you have a strong Wi-Fi connection on both devices. You will need to know your Apple ID password, and your old iPad should have backed up to iCloud within the last few days. If you have not backed up recently, you can do that now before setting up the new iPad — go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then iCloud, then iCloud Backup, and tap Back Up Now.

Key Takeaways

  • iCloud backup during setup is the simplest method and copies everything — apps, photos, settings, and documents — automatically.
  • You can also use a Mac or Windows computer with a USB cable to transfer data through Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) if you prefer not to use iCloud.
  • AirDrop works for moving individual files, photos, or documents between two iPads that are near each other and on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • If your old iPad is broken or lost, you can still restore from an older iCloud backup using your Apple ID on the new device.
  • Some apps store data in their own accounts (like email or cloud storage apps) and will sync automatically when you sign in on the new iPad.

Using a computer to transfer data with a cable

If you have a Mac, connect your new iPad with a USB-C or Lightning cable, open Finder, and click the iPad name in the sidebar. You will see an option to restore from a backup — choose the most recent backup of your old iPad from the list. On a Windows computer, use iTunes instead: connect the iPad, click the device icon, and select Restore Backup.

This method is slower than iCloud but does not require a strong Wi-Fi connection — the data moves directly through the cable. It also gives you more control over which backup you restore if you have multiple old backups saved on your computer. The downside is that you need the cable and a computer, and the process can take an hour or more for a large backup.

Moving individual files and photos with AirDrop

If you only need to transfer a few photos, documents, or files, AirDrop is faster than a full backup. On both iPads, go to Settings, tap General, then AirDrop, and make sure it is set to Everyone or Contacts Only. Then open the app with the file you want to move (Photos, Files, Mail, or another app), find the item, tap the share button, and select the other iPad from the AirDrop list.

AirDrop works only when both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and within about 30 feet of each other. It is useful for moving a handful of items but not practical if you have hundreds of photos or a large app library. The receiving iPad will ask you to accept each transfer, so you will need to be present on both devices.

Signing into apps and cloud services on the new iPad

Many apps — email, cloud storage, banking, social media — store your data in their own accounts rather than on the iPad itself. When you sign into these apps on your new iPad with the same username and password, your data syncs automatically. This includes Gmail, Outlook, OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and most others.

If you restored from a backup, these apps will already be installed and may already be signed in. If you set up the new iPad from scratch, you will need to download the apps from the App Store and sign in manually. Check your email and any subscription services first — these usually sync within minutes of signing in.

What happens to apps when you transfer data

When you restore from an iCloud or computer backup, all the apps that were on your old iPad will be reinstalled on the new one — but only if they are still available in the App Store. Apps that have been removed from the store will not transfer. You can see which apps failed to restore by going to Settings, tapping General, then iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage), and looking for a cloud icon with a down arrow next to any app name.

App data — your game progress, saved documents, settings within the app — transfers with the app itself. However, some apps store data only in their own cloud accounts, so signing into the app is what actually restores your information, not the backup. Read the app's settings to understand where your data lives.

If your old iPad is broken or lost

You can still restore your data on the new iPad using iCloud. During setup, sign in with your Apple ID and choose to restore from your most recent iCloud backup. This works even if the old iPad no longer exists — the backup lives on Apple's servers, not on the device itself.

If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it on the Apple ID website before setting up the new iPad. If you do not know which backup is the most recent, you can check on the Apple ID website under Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups — this shows the date and size of each backup. Choose the most recent one that was made before the old iPad stopped working.

Transferring data between iPads on different Apple IDs

If the new iPad will use a different Apple ID than the old one, you cannot restore from a backup during setup — backups are tied to the Apple ID that created them. Instead, use AirDrop to move files and photos, or sign into cloud services (email, storage apps, photo libraries) on both devices so the data syncs between them.

Some apps may not transfer this way because they are linked to the old Apple ID. You will need to purchase or download them again under the new Apple ID. If you are setting up the iPad for a family member, consider using Family Sharing instead — this lets multiple people use the same iPad with their own Apple IDs while sharing purchases and subscriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to restore from an iCloud backup?

It depends on how much data you have and your internet speed. A small backup might take 30 minutes; a large one with hundreds of photos and apps can take several hours. The iPad will show a progress bar during restore, and you can use the device once the initial setup is complete — apps and photos will continue downloading in the background.

Will my passwords transfer to the new iPad?

Yes, if you restore from a backup. Passwords saved in Safari and in apps are included in the backup. You will need to sign into iCloud with your Apple ID password during setup, but after that, most other passwords come through automatically. Some apps may ask you to sign in again for security reasons.

Can I transfer data to an iPad with a newer or older version of iPadOS?

Yes. Backups work across different iPadOS versions, though the new iPad should be running the same version or newer than the old one. If the new iPad has an older version, update it to the latest iPadOS before restoring. You can check for updates in Settings > General > Software Update.

What if the iCloud backup is too old?

You can restore from any backup stored in iCloud, even if it is months old. However, you will lose any data created after that backup was made. If you need more recent data, go back to your old iPad (if it still works) and create a new backup before setting up the new one.

Do I need to erase the new iPad before restoring a backup?

No. If the new iPad is brand new, it is already empty. If it has been used, you can restore over existing data — the backup will overwrite it. However, if you want to be certain everything is clean, you can erase it first by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, then set it up again and restore from backup.