Connect iPad and your computer with a cable

Using a USB cable or adapter, you can directly connect iPad and a Mac or Windows PC.

Make sure you have one of the following:
- Mac with a USB port and OS X 10.9 or later
- PC with a USB port and Windows 7 or later
Connect iPad to the USB port on your computer using the charging cable for your iPad.
If the cable isn’t compatible with the port on your computer, do one of the following:
- If your iPad came with a USB-C Charge Cable and your computer has a USB port, use a USB-C to USB Adapter and a USB-A cable (each sold separately).
- If your iPad came with a USB-C to Lightning cable and your computer has a USB port, use a Lightning to USB Cable (sold separately).
- If your iPad came with a Lightning to USB cable and your computer has a USB-C port, connect the USB end of the cable to a USB-C to USB Adapter (sold separately), or use a USB-C to Lightning Cable (sold separately).
- If your iPad came with a Thunderbolt 4 / USB-4 charging cable and your computer has a USB port, use a USB-C to USB Adapter and a USB-A cable (each sold separately). (You can use Thunderbolt or USB cables with Thunderbolt devices like iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) and iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation).)
Do any of the following:
- Set up your iPad for the first time.
- Use iPad as a second display for your Mac.
- Transfer files between your iPad and computer.
- Sync content between your iPad and computer.
- Share your iPad internet connection (Wi-Fi Cellular models) with your computer.
- Use your computer to erase all content and settings from iPad.
- Update iPad using your computer.

The iPad battery charges when iPad is connected to your computer and your computer is connected to power.

Helpful?

iPad User Guide

Connect iPad and your computer with a cable