[3 Ways] How to Access iPad Files on PC with/without iTunes

If you wonder how to access iPad files on PC, you may need to transfer iPad files to PC first. The three ways in this guide can be nice tries for you.

Demi

By Demi / Updated on March 6, 2024

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How can I view content on my iPad from my computer?

When I connect my iPad to computer with windows 7 operating system, I’m unable to locate the iPad port via Windows Explorer. What can I do to access iPad files on PC?

- Question from Apple Community

iPad is seen as one of the most excellent tablets in the world. With its powerful functions, you can rely on it to work, study or entertain at any time and anywhere. Out of some purposes, you may want to access iPad files from PC, and it is where this guide comes from.

how to access ipad files on pc

Before seeking methods about how to access iPad files on PC, please be noted that you need to transfer files from iPad to PC first so that you can get access to them on PC.

Way 1. How to access iPad files on PC with iTunes File Sharing

You can not only rely on iTunes to manage multimedia files on iPad and computer, but also transfer iPad files to computer with the File Sharing function in iTunes.

It’s needed to take you some minutes to check the notes below before using iTunes File Sharing.
• This method can only be used to transfer files created by Keynotes, Numbers, Pages, and any other apps that work with File Sharing.
• After transferring process finishes, you can browse iPad files in the File Sharing section of iTunes when your iPad is connected to your computer.

Now, make sure you have updated iTunes on your PC and iOS on iPad to the latest versions, and follow the steps below to make it.

Step 1. Connect your iPad to computer with USB > Run iTunes and click the phone icon near the top left of its homepage.

Device Icon iTunes

Step 2. Click File Sharing in the left sidebar > Select certain apps to drag and drop files you’d like to view on PC > Tap Save to confirm.

File Sharing Kindle

Way 2. How to browse iPad files on PC by FoneTool

If you want to browse iPad photos or videos, iTunes File Sharing may be not suitable for you. Besides, considering that there are some limitations in iTunes, it’s more suggested to try the professional transfer tool for iOS devices - FoneTool.

✓ Multiple transfer destinations. You’re allowed to transfer iPad files to local folders on PC, external hard drives, etc. so that you’ll get more access to view iPad files.
✓ Selective and fast transfer process. You’re free to preview and choose wanted music, photos, videos to transfer to PC at a superfast speed.
✓ Powerful transfer functions. If you intend to edit iPad files on PC and transfer them back to iPad, FoneTool can also be a nice try.
✓ Wide compatibility. This tool supports all models of iPad (including iPad/iPad Pro 2022 and iPad Mini), as well as iPhone and iPod.

Please download FoneTool to your computer by clicking the icon below, and follow the steps below to learn how to access iPad files on PC without iTunes but via FoneTool.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7
Secure Download

Step 1. Connect your iPad to computer with USB > Launch FoneTool and get to iPhone to PC from Phone Transfer > Click Start Transfer to continue.

Transfer To Computer

Step 2. Click + icon > Preview and choose photos, music, and videos you want to browse on PC > Click OK to continue.

Choose Songs

Step 3. Choose a storage path as you like from Transfer Settings > Click Start Transfer to begin the task.

Transfer

If you edit iPad files on computer and want to transfer them back to iPad, the PC to iPhone function in FoneTool will make it simple and effective.

Way 3. How to access files on iPad from PC via cloud services

Cloud services like iCloud and Google allow you to sync data among devices. Therefore, if you wonder how to browse iPad files on PC, you can rely on cloud services.

For better illustration, let’s take transferring files from iPad to PC with iCloud sync as an example. If you’re using other cloud services to sync data, you can take the steps below as a reference because the steps are almost the same.

Please make sure your iPad is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network during the process. The following tutorials are about how to browse iPad file on PC by syncing them via iCloud.

On your iPad: Go to Settings > Tap [your name] > Tap iCloud > Toggle on the icon of certain apps. It may take some time to wait for the data to sync to iCloud.

On your computer: Open a web browser > Go to iCloud.com > Sign in with your account > Click each icon to download files to your computer.

iCloud Site

Conclusion

That’s all for how to access iPad files on PC. To browse iPad files on PC, you need to transfer them to PC first with iTunes, iCloud, or the third-party tool FoneTool. With the help of FoneTool, you can also discover how to transfer music from iPad to computer.

It is more suggested to use FoneTool because it can be the fastest way to get access to iPad files on PC compared with the other two ways. If this guide helps you, please share it with others.