How to Transfer Data and Apps From One iPad to Another (Step By Step)

Hello fellow gadgetfolk! After owning a 16GB iPad for 6 weeks, I love this device so much, I had to upgrade to a 64GB model. I listed the 16GB model on Ebay, and it sold in 3 MINUTES. That's right, three (3) minutes! This thing is hot!!!

I faced the challenge of transferring all of my apps, music, video, iBooks, and app data from the old iPad to the new one. And it was indeed a challenge. I looked for input from other people on the internet who had maybe been through the same process, and came out on top, but I had no luck in finding any useful input.

So, after an all night process of trying, and trying again, I finally got all of my stuff transferred to the new iPad, settings intact. I thought I would write up the process, in the case that it might save some other poor soul the time and headache I experienced. Here goes:

1. Connect the old iPad to the computer and start iTunes.

2. Wait until you see your iPad name listed under "Devices" in the left column. If the iPad starts to sync, wait for it to finish. If not, proceed to next step.

3. Select Edit/Preferences, then click on the Devices tab, then delete all device backups by selecting each one, then clicking the Delete Backup button. Do this until there are no backups left in the list.

4. Right-click on your iPad name, listed under "Devices", then select "Transfer Purchases" from the menu. This will transfer music, video, books, and apps that you purchased, from the iPad to your computer.

5. After the transfer completes, then right-click on your iPad name, then select "Sync" from the menu. This will sync your application data from the iPad with your computer.

6. After the sync completes, then right-click on your iPad name, then select "Back Up" from the menu.

7. After the backup is complete, right-click on your iPad name, then select "Eject" from the menu.

8. When your iPad name disappears from the Devices list, disconnect the old iPad from the computer.

9. Connect the new iPad to the computer.

10. Wait until you see the new iPad name listed under "Devices" in the left column. If the iPad starts to sync, wait for it to finish. If not, proceed to next step.

11. If you see an option to either Set up as a new iPad, or Restore from the back of:____, choose Restore from the backup of:____ and click the OK button. This process may take up to an hour, if you have a lot of data on your old iPad.

12. When the restore completes, click on the "Summary" tab, at the top of the right column.

13. Make sure that the "Manually manage music and videos" option is checked. If it is not, then check it.

***** If you get a message following any of the instructions below, that asks "Are you sure you want to sync _____ ?", click the "Sync ______" button, not the "Cancel" button. *****

14. Click on the "Apps" tab, at the top of the right column.

15. Make sure that the "Sync Apps" option is checked. If it is not, then check it.

***** You can choose to sync all apps in the iTunes library, or select specific apps to restore to your new Ipad. If you choose to sync all apps, ALL apps in the iTunes library on the computer you are using will be installed to your new iPad, including apps that may not currently be on your old iPad. This includes apps you may have purchased in the past on the computer you are using for an iPhone or other iPad that has been synced with that computer. The same applies to music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, books, and photos. *****

16. Click on the "Music" tab, at the top of the right column.

17. Make sure that the "Sync Music" option is checked. If it is not, then check it.

18. Select "Entire music library".

19. Click on the "Movies" tab, at the top of the right column.

20. Make sure that the "Sync Movies" option is checked. If it is not, then check it.

21. Click on the "TV Shows" tab, at the top of the right column.

22. Make sure that the "Sync TV Shows" option is checked. If it is not, then check it.

23. Click on the "Podcasts" tab, at the top of the right column.

24. Make sure that the "Sync Podcasts" option is checked. If it is not, then check it.

25. Click on the "Books" tab, at the top of the right column.

26. Make sure that the "Sync Books" option is checked. If it is not, then check it.

***** If you purchased audiobooks, such as those from audible.com, and want to transfer them to your new iPad, check the "Sync Audiobooks" checkbox.*****

27. Click on the "Photos" tab, at the top of the right column.

28. Make sure that the "Sync Photos from" option is checked, and select the location where you want to sync your photos from. If you do not select this option, then only the photos that are on your old iPad will be transferred to your new iPad.

29. Click the "Apply" button in the lower right corner. This will transfer music, video, books, and apps that were purchased from your computer to the new iPad. This may take a long time, depending on how much content you are transferring.

30. After the sync is complete, disconnect the new iPad from the computer.

After the Restore is complete, your iPad will reset and restart.

You will have to re-enter your email account passwords and your wi-fi passwords. You may also have to arrange your application icons, but all of the applications will be installed.