Sending a file to itunes to download on ipad

6 Ways to Transfer Files from PC to iPhone/iPad With/Without iTunes

In addition to data transfer, there is an amazing feature in EaseUS MobiMover that you may like, which is to download online videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and more to your computer or iPhone/iPad for offline watching. 

Method 2. How to Transfer Files from PC to iPhone or iPad for Free Using iCloud Drive

Applies To: Excel, Word, PowerPoint Documents

You can think of iCloud Drive as Apple's version of Dropbox. It's different from iCloud Backup since it's a document-oriented file sharing service. With iCloud Drive enabled, you are able to store your files in iCloud and access these items on iCloud.com, your computers, iOS devices, and iPadOS devices. Thus, by turning on iCloud Drive, you can transfer files from PC to iPhone or iPad without iTunes. If the files you want to transfer are documents, using iCloud Drive is really a good choice for you.

Depending on whether you have installed iCloud for Windows or not, the steps to transfer files to your iPhone or iPad are slightly different.

To transfer files to iPhone/iPad with iCloud for Windows:

Step 1. On your PC, open the iCloud control panel and sign in with the Apple ID you use on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2. Click the checkbox next to "iCloud Drive" to enable the option.

Step 3. Go to "This PC" and you will see a folder named "iCloud Drive". If you don't see it, you can expand "Quick Access" in Windows to have a try.

Step 4. Copy and paste the files you want to transfer into the iCloud Drive folder.

Step 5. Open the "Settings" app on your iDevice and click [your name] > "iCloud" > "iCloud Drive".

Step 6. Go to the "Files" app and click "Browse" > "iCloud Drive". Now you should see the items from your PC existing on your iPhone or iPad.

To transfer files from Windows PC to iPhone/iPad via iCloud.com:

If you haven't installed the iCloud control panel, you can transfer files to your iPhone or iPad from the computer via iCloud.com.

Step 1. Go to visit iCloud.com on your PC and sign in with your Apple ID (the one you use on your iPhone or iPad).

Step 2. Choose "iCloud Drive" among the options.

Step 3. Click the "Upload" button and select to open the files you want to transfer to your iPhone or iPad from the computer.

Step 4. Open the "Settings" app on your iDevice and click [your name] > "iCloud" > "iCloud Drive".

Step 5. Go to the "Files" app and click "Browse" > "iCloud Drive". Now you should see the items from your PC existing on your iPhone or iPad.

Method 3. How to Copy Files from Computer to iPhone/iPad Using iCloud Photos

Support: Photos

If what you attempt to copy to your iDevice are photos, using iCloud Photos instead of iCloud Drive. As mentioned, iCloud Drive is file-oriented and thus can only help you transfer documents to your iPhone/iPad. Luckily, iCloud has also provided the solution for you to transfer photos from PC to iPhone. Make sure you are using the same Apple ID on your devices and then follow to see how to transfer files from Windows PC to iPhone or iPad without iTunes.

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > [your name] > "iCloud" > "Photos" and switch on "iCloud Photos".

Step 2. On your PC, upload photos from PC to iCloud.

• If you have installed iCloud for Windows, open it and check "Photos". In the new window, select "iCloud Photo Library" and "Upload new photos and videos from my PC". Afterward, copy the photos you want to transfer to your iPhone or iPad to the "Uploads" folder: Go to "This PC" > "iCloud Photos" > "Uploads" and paste the items here.
• If you don't have iCloud for Windows, go to iCloud.com, sign in, and choose "Photos". Then upload photos to iCloud from your PC.

Step 3. Check the photos in the "Photos" app on your iPhone or iPad.

Method 4. How to Transfer Files from Computer to iPhone/iPad with Dropbox/Google Drive

Support: Photos, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDFs, HTML, Text...

In addition to iCloud mentioned above, there are many other kinds of cloud services that can be helpful, such as Dropbox and Google Drive. Most of these cloud drives provide free trials or free space, and the limitations for the free versions are usually acceptable. So, this could be another good choice for transferring files from computer to iPhone.

To transfer files from PC to iPhone/iPad with Dropbox:

Step 1. Download and install Dropbox on both the source device and the target device. Then sign in with the same account.

Step 2. Open Dropbox on your PC and upload the files you want to copy to your iDevice.

Step 3. On your iPhone or iPad, open Dropbox to check and download the items to your mobile device.

Method 5. How to Send Files from PC to iPhone/iPad via Email for Free

Support: Photos, videos, music, documents...

This is really the easiest way to transfer files to an iPad or iPhone - by sending yourself an email. You don't even have to write a subject, just an address would be enough.

Using this method, you can not only transfer files from PC to your iPhone/iPad but also transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone. But the problems with this method are also quite obvious. There are many limitations: the size of the files, the delay because of the network, and other issues. If you don't want to encounter these issues, try other effective ways instead.

Step 1. Create an email on your PC and add the files you want to transfer as the attachments.

Step 2. Send the email to your own account and check the email on your mobile device.

Step 3. Download the attachment to your device.

Now you know all the five ways on how to transfer files from PC to iPhone or iPad without iTunes. These tips can also be applied to transfer files from Mac to iPhone/iPad if you need to. If the computer you are using is a Mac, there is one more way for you to transfer files to the iPhone or iPad, which is to use AirDrop. For more details, refer to the guide on how to transfer videos from Mac to iPhone.

How to Transfer Files from PC to iPhone/iPad Using iTunes

Support: Photos, Videos, Music, Podcasts, Audiobooks

If the files you attempt to share are stored in iTunes, you may prefer to transfer files to your iPhone or iPad from the computer using iTunes. It's generally known that using iTunes to copy files from computer to iPhone/iPad will cause data loss on your mobile device. That's because the newly synced items will replace the media files like movies, music, ringtones, and more that are currently existing on your iPhone or iPad. If you don't mind it, go ahead and learn how to transfer files to iPhone/iPad with the tool.

To transfer files from PC to iPhone/iPad with iTunes:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer and launch iTunes.

Step 2. Unlock the iDevice and trust the computer.

Step 3. Click the "Device" tab and select the category, like Photos, Movies, Songs, and more.

Step 4. Check the "Sync [category]" option and select the items you'd like to copy.

Step 5. Click "Apply" to start transferring files to your iPhone or iPad.

As you have noticed, there is a "File Sharing" feature in iTunes. File Sharing is a function that will help you to share files between your computer and a supported app on your iPhone/iPad. It's mainly used to transfer files to your PC from an app on your iPhone or iPad. You are recommended to use this feature if you need to transfer files created by apps like Keynote, Pages, and Numbers from your iPhone or iPad to PC.

Why Is File Transfer to iPhone/iPad Necessary

You have a lot of important files on your computer. However, you cannot carry a PC or Mac in your pocket and take it everywhere you go. Therefore, transferring files from PC to your handy iPhone/iPad is quite convenient when you want to view the files for work, study or recreation whenever you want to.

Due to reasons like that, it's necessary for you to learn how to transfer files from PC to iPhone or iPad. When it comes to copying files from PC to iPhone/iPad, iTunes may flash into your mind first. But you may refuse to use iTunes considering data syncing or other possible issues. Luckily, there are multiple ways available for you to transfer files from PC to iPhone/iPad without iTunes. All are detailed above. Besides, the ways to transfer files from PC to an iOS device using iTunes are also provided.

The Bottom Line

Most of the ways introduced above to transfer files from PC to iPhone/iPad can also be applied to copy data from iDevice to computer, except iTunes. Whether you want to transfer files from Windows 10 to iPhone or vice versa, these tips will help. Carry out the one best suited to your needs.