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To set up a new iPad and transfer your data, choose your route before starting: use Quick Start for a nearby compatible iPad, restore an iCloud or computer backup if you have one, or use Move to iOS when switching from Android. These choices appear during initial setup. If the iPad is already configured, Apple requires you to erase it before using the setup-time restore or transfer flow.
Choose a transfer method before you begin
| Method | What you need | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Start direct transfer | Your old compatible iPhone or iPad nearby, power for both devices, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled | You have the old Apple device and want to transfer data directly |
| Restore from iCloud backup | A suitable iCloud backup and Wi-Fi | Your old device is unavailable, or you prefer to download from iCloud |
| Restore from Mac or PC | The computer containing the backup and a compatible USB connection | You have a computer backup to restore |
| Move from Android | Your Android device and Apple’s Move to iOS app | You are switching from Android; this option is part of initial iPad setup |
Apple’s setup guide says an internet connection is needed to turn on and set up a new iPad. See the [Apple iPad user guide].
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Prepare both devices and your backup
- Charge the new iPad and keep the old device available. For Quick Start, Apple recommends keeping both devices connected to power during migration.
- Have the Wi-Fi password and your Apple Account password ready. A Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad can also use cellular service where available, but Wi-Fi is needed for an iCloud restore.
- If restoring from a backup, confirm that you can access the relevant iCloud account or the Mac or PC that holds the backup.
- Do not erase, trade in, or otherwise give up the old iPad until you have checked that the new one has the content you need.
If your old iPad does not have enough iCloud storage for a backup, Apple says temporary iCloud storage may be available when preparing to move to a new device, for up to three weeks. Eligibility and the offer are determined on the device; follow the prompt if it appears. Details are in Apple’s iPad setup guide.
Option 1: Transfer directly with Quick Start
Check compatibility
Apple says Quick Start setup can use another iPhone or iPad running iOS 11 or iPadOS 13 or later. For direct wireless transfer of all data, both devices need iOS 12.4 or iPadOS 13 or later. Keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, and place the devices close together. Apple notes that managed devices may have restrictions on Quick Start.
#1 Best Overall
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Start Quick Start and transfer
- Turn on the new iPad and place it beside the old iPad.
- Follow the Quick Start prompt on the old device. Authenticate when asked, using the on-screen instructions.
- When offered a transfer choice, select direct transfer if you want to move data from the old iPad itself. Follow the remaining prompts on both devices.
- Keep the iPads near each other and connected to power until migration finishes. Apple says transfer time varies with network conditions and the amount of data.
A direct transfer occupies both devices while it is in progress, so do not rely on either iPad for other tasks during migration. If you choose to download from iCloud instead, apps and data can continue downloading in the background, allowing you to use the new iPad sooner. Apple’s Quick Start support article explains the choices.
Option 2: Restore from an iCloud backup
When the old iPad is available
Begin setup with the old iPad nearby and follow the setup assistant. Choose the iCloud restore or download option when it appears, then follow the prompts to sign in and select the backup.
Rank #2
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
When the old iPad is unavailable
- Turn on the new iPad and join a Wi-Fi network during setup.
- Sign in with the Apple Account associated with the backup.
- Choose the appropriate backup. Use its date and size to distinguish it from other backups.
- Leave the iPad connected to Wi-Fi and power while restoration proceeds. Content stored in iCloud may continue downloading after the initial restore.
Apple’s iCloud transfer instructions cover restoring with or without the old device. If you have already completed setup on the new iPad, see the erase requirement below before proceeding.
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Use this route when the backup is stored on a computer. The new iPad must be new or erased, and the computer holding the backup must be available. Connect the iPad to the computer using a USB cable compatible with both devices; connector requirements vary by model.
Rank #3
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
- Connect the new iPad to the Mac or PC that contains the backup.
- On a supported newer macOS version, open Finder and select the iPad. On Windows, use Apple Devices where available; Apple also documents the iTunes workflow for applicable systems.
- Choose the option to restore a backup, select the correct backup, and start the restore.
- If the backup is encrypted, enter its password when prompted.
An unencrypted computer backup does not transfer Health and Activity data, according to Apple’s iPad backup restore guide. An encrypted backup requires its password; without it, you cannot complete that restore.
Option 4: Move from Android to iPad
- Start setting up the new iPad and choose From Android when the setup assistant presents the transfer options.
- On the Android device, follow the prompts for Apple’s Move to iOS app.
- Keep following the instructions on both devices until the transfer completes.
Move to iOS is a setup-time route. Apple says that if you have already finished setting up the iPad, you must erase it and begin again to use this flow, or transfer content manually. See Apple’s Android migration instructions.
Rank #4
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
If the new iPad is already set up
Apple requires you to erase a configured iPad before using the setup-time restore or transfer options described above. Back up anything new on that iPad first: erasing removes its current contents. Then use the appropriate transfer method during setup. For Android migration, Apple likewise directs users to erase and restart or move content manually. Apple’s iCloud transfer article describes the restore requirement.
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Best Value
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 13-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
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