If you’ve recently bought an updated version of the iPad, you can transfer your music, apps, movies, e-books and whatever else you’ve accumulated on your old device to the new device. There are two ways to transfer the data on your old iPad to a new iPad without using any special software.

You can use either iTunes or iCloud, which is the recommended method for moving your data from one iPad to the other.

Transfer the Data with iTunes

Using iTunes is the “old-fashioned” way to migrate the information from an old iPad to a new iPad, because the iPads need to be hooked up to a computer to accomplish the transfer. It works just fine if you don’t have iCloud or aren’t on a fast internet connection. The following instructions are the same for Mac OS X or Windows computers.

With your old iPad:

1. Launch iTunes and connect the iPad to the computer
2. Right-click the iPad in the iTunes sidebar and choose “backup”
3. Let the iPad backup finish in iTunes
4. Keep iTunes open but disconnect the old iPad from the computer

With your new iPad:

1. Turn on the new iPad and on the “Set Up iPad” screen choose “Restore from iTunes Backup and click “Next”
2. Connect the iPad to the computer and choose the most recent backup from the restore menu in iTunes
3. Click “Continue” and let the restore happen – don’t disconnect the iPad until the transfer is completed and the iPad has rebooted

Depending on the size of your backups and the speed of the internet connection, restoring from iTunes may actually be quicker than restoring from iCloud. Still, iCloud is the easiest way to transfer your data, which is why it is the most recommended method.

Resetting to Factory Defaults

If you’ve already set up your new iPad, it’s easy to return it to the original set up and configuration screen needed for transferring data by tapping Settings – General – Reset – Erase All Content and Settings. This will reset any iOS device to factory defaults but it will erase everything on the iPad, so be sure that’s what you want to do.

Transfer with iCloud

As previously mentioned, using iCloud is by far the easiest way to transfer your data from one iPad to another. Obviously, you’ll need to have iCloud set up and configured in order for it to work. Everyone with an Apple ID has an associated iCloud account with 5 GB of storage. You will probably need to purchase extra iCloud storage to complete a backup, but you won’t need to use your PC at all.

How to Activate iCloud

Here are a few simple steps to ensure that iCloud is activated on your new iPad.

First, make sure your iPad is running the latest version of iOS. If you’re setting up a new iPad, go to the “Settings”, tap “General” and tap “Software Update” to see if there’s an update available.

Next, turn on your new iPad and follow the instructions in the setup assistant to activate your device. iCloud is automatically enabled when you perform the first time setup for a new iPad.

In “Settings” scroll down to find the iCloud button. Make sure that your Apple ID is displayed at the top of the page. If it isn’t, sign in using your Apple ID.

Next, choose the applications that you want to sync with iCloud, such as mail, photos, contacts, and so on.

Go back to “Settings” and select “iTunes & App Store,” making sure that your Apple ID is displayed at the top of the screen. Select the purchases you want to automatically download to your device, such as music and apps.

Now that you have activated iCloud on your new iPad, you can complete the transfer of data from your old iPad to your new iPad.

With Your Old iPad

1. Open “Settings” and tap on iCloud
2. Tap on “Storage & Backup”
3. Tap on “Back Up Now” to start a manual iCloud backup
4. Let the backup finish

With Your New iPad

1. On the “Set Up iPad” screen, choose “Restore from iCloud Backup” and tap “Next”
2. Login to your iCloud account and choose the most recent backup from your old iPad