5 Different Methods to Transfer Photos from iPad to Mac [Comparison]
Last Updated on February 3, 2022 by Peter Wood
What are the best methods to transfer photos from iPad to Mac, especially when you need to sync the files online? iCloud enables you to backup photos in the cloud service but only provides 5GB of free storage. As for AirDrop, it is complicated and time-consuming if there are too many photos. Is there an alternative to transfer the desired photos with ease? Here are 5 different methods to transfer photos from iPad to Mac. Moreover, you can learn more about the comparison from the article.
- Part 1: Best Method to Transfer Photos from iPad to Mac in Batch
- Part 2: How to Transfer Photos from iPad to Mac with MediaServer
- Part 3: How to Move Photos from iPad to Mac Through iCloud
- Part 4: How to Sync photos from iPad to Mac via AirDrop
- Part 5: How to Transfer Photos from iPad to Mac via Instashare
- Part 6: What are the Differences between 4 Transfer Solutions
- Part 7: FAQs about How to Transfer Photos from iPad to Mac
Part 1: Best Method to Transfer Photos from iPad to Mac in Batch
When you need to transfer a large number of photos in a batch, iPhone Data Transfer is the professional photo transfer you need to rely on. It not only transfers photos among iPhone, iPad, and computer but also manages the photos with the program. But different from the other methods, you have to connect the iPhone to your computer with a USB cable before transferring photos from iPad to Mac.
- Transfer photos among iPad, computers, and iTunes easily.
- Support a mega number of photos transfer in a batch process.
- Sync and download photos in Camera Roll and Photo Library.
- Organize, group, and manage your iOS photos intelligently.
Step 1: As you have installed iPhone Data Transfer on your computer, you can double click to run the program. Connect your iPad with a Mac with a USB cable to detect all photos on the iPad.
Step 2: Click the Photos icon on the left of the sidebar menu. Wait for a moment and all the photos will be shown on the program. The photos are classified under different groups where you can choose.
Step 3: Choose the desired photos you want to transfer and click the Export option. Now you can choose to export to your Mac and soon the selected photos will be transferred from your iPad to your Mac.
Part 2: How to Transfer Photos from iPad to Mac with MediaServer
WidsMob MediaServer can turn Mac into a media server, which you transfer photos from iPad to Mac with ease. When you install the program, it will automatically recognize any UPnP devices with the same network. What is more, you can stream photos, videos, and audio between Mac and other devices with ease.
- Stream photos, videos, and audio with iPad, Mac, and other UPnP devices.
- Control over devices within the same network according to requirements.
- Preview, transfer, and download iPad photos and videos on Mac.
- Manage the file number and size when transferring photos from iPad to Mac.
Step 1: When you install MediaServer, you can launch the program to access all other UPnP devices. Within the same network, you can transfer photos from iPad to Mac with ease.
Step 2: Make sure you have installed some UPnP applications, such as UPNP Xtreme. If you want to manually turn the iPad into a media server, you have to set up a UPnP agreement for the iPad instead.
Step 3: Preview and choose the desired photos from in different folders. If you want to copy photos from computer to iPad with the original quality, you can simply save these files to Mac with one click.
Part 3: How to Move Photos from iPad to Mac Through iCloud
Make sure that you have the latest version of iCloud for both iPad and Mac. After that, you should sign in to the same Apple ID for them and use the same Wi-Fi connection. Just follow the process to transfer photos from iPad to Mac with iCloud as below.
Step 1: Go to the Settings app. Select your account and choose the iCloud option. Tap the Photos option to turn on the iCloud Photos option. You can transfer the iCloud photos to other devices with the same account.
Step 2: Go to the System Preferences and select the iCloud option on Mac. After that, you can click the Options button next tothe Photos option and select the iCloud Photos option to transfer photos from iPad to Mac.
Step 3: Your latest shots are automatically added to iCloud Photos, and any organizational changes or edits you make are always kept up to date across all your devices.
Since iCloud only provides 5GB of free storage space, you have to subscribe to the service every month if you want to transfer more photos. You are not able to transfer the desired photos from iPad to Mac only as for the solution.
Part 4: How to Sync Photos from iPad to Mac via AirDrop
If you just need to transfer several photos from iPad to Mac, AirDrop should be one of the best choices you have to take into consideration. Similar to MediaServer, you can transfer limited files between different devices with the same network with ease.
Step 1: Launch AirDrop on your MacBook. Open Finder and choose the AirDrop option on the right pane under Favorites. Choose Contacts Only or Everyone on the bottom beside the Allow me to be discovered by icon.
Step 2: Go to your iPad and open the Photos app to select transferred photos from iPad to Mac. Select and long-press albums or pictures you want to sync photos from iPad to Mac.
Step 3: Click the Share icon on the bottom of the screen. Choose the name of your MacBook under Tap to share with AirDrop. Now you can download the photos from your Mac.
Just as mentioned, you can transfer limited photos with the methods, or else it should be difficult to sync the photos one by one. Another problem with transferring photos between iPad to Mac for the method is that you have to handle both devices at the same time.
Part 5: How to Transfer Photos from iPad to Mac via Instashare
Instashare is another method to transfer photos from iPad to Mac wirelessly. Besides the basic features to transfer photos online, you can also type URL addresses or pair two devices, which means that you can transfer photos from iPad to Mac just after installing Instashare.
Step 1: Download and install Instashare both on iPad and MacBook. After that select images in your Photos app on iPad and save them in a separate folder on the desktop.
Step 2: Drag and drop pictures into the Devices page. Click the Allow button to start transferring photos from iPad to Mac. It takes a few minutes to transfer all the photos to the computer.
Step 3: After that, you can launch the program on your Mac to get all the synced images on your OS X Yosemite soon.
Without file type limits or the latest versions, you can transfer photos from iPad to Mac out of backing up in the cloud. Even though the operating system is old enough to be obsoleted. As a result, you can apply the Instashare app nearly on all devices to sync photos.
Part 6: What are the Differences Between 4 Transfer Solutions
You can find all the possible methods to transfer photos from iPad to Mac without USB. What should be the best choice for you? Just check out more detailed information as the following chart.
| Solution | Download transfer programs | Number of photos transferred | Method to manage photos |
| MediaServer | Yes | No limitation | Preview, playback, and transfer photos |
| iCloud | No | 5GB | Preview, playback, and transfer photos |
| AirDrop | No | Limited photos at a time | Transfer photos only |
| Instashare | Yes | No limitation | Preview, playback, and transfer photos |
Part 7: FAQs about How to Transfer Photos from iPad to Mac
Connect your iPad to a MacBook with a USB cable. Open the Photos app on your computer to find the Import screen with all the photos. Choose the destination album or make a new one. Select the photos you want to transfer photos from iPad to Mac by clicking the Import Selected option.
Open the Finder app on your Mac and look for the Home Directory. Click the Pictures folder to open it. Right-click the Photos Library. You can select the Show Package Contents and open the Masters folder to preview all the transferred photos.
If you want to transfer photos via WiFi, your computer and the iPad containing the photos must be connected to the network. If either is not available to WiFi, your Mac can’t browse your photos. Check the settings on both devices to make sure they are logged into the same network.
Conclusion
Here are 4 different methods to transfer photos from iPad to Mac wirelessly. If you do not have multiply pictures to sync, you can choose AirDrop to transfer photos from iPad to Mac. iCloud Photo Library should be a nice solution if you have already subscribed to the service. As for Instashare, you can transfer photos from iPad to Mac freely after installation. When you just need to check the shared photos or transfer the desired photos only, WidsMob MediaServer should be the ultimate solution you have to take into consideration. Of course, you can also choose professional iPhone Data Recovery to transfer hundreds of photos in a batch process.