The estimated reading time for this post is 4 minutes
Q. I’m going to get a New iPad to upgrade from my old iPad but I want my New iPad to have the same setup as my old iPad, with all the same games, movies, photos and apps on it. Can I do that?
A. Yes, you can set up your New iPad to have the same apps and settings as your previous iPad. You may need to tweak it a bit and sign into some accounts, but setting up your New iPad to mirror your previous iPad can save you a lot of steps.
When you first turn on your New iPad, you will be asked a lot of questions to set it up, such as language, location services, whether you want to use Dictation, whether you want to use iCloud and whether you want to backup to iCloud, etc. I recommend syncing to your computer (see Other Choices, below).
Setting Up Your New iPad
The first step is to close your apps on your older iPad, then sync it to iTunes on your computer.
[note]If you’ve already traded in your old iPad, I’m hoping that you followed the steps in Preparing Your iPad for Resale! and backed up your old iPad before you sold it. [/note]
After your older iPad is finished syncing, eject it by clicking the arrow on the left column in iTunes next to the name of your iPad, then disconnect the cord from the iPad.
Next plug the cord into your New iPad and iTunes will ask you if you want to “Restore from Previous Backup.” Choose this option and select the backup you created from your old iPad. Your New iPad will begin to sync. If you have a lot of apps, movies, music, photos, ebooks and other content, the syncing may last quite a while.
You will be asked a series of questions, such as whether you want to sync to iTunes every time you connect your iPad to the computer. After you have begun the syncing process, check on it every so often to make sure it’s going smoothly. Depending on how much data you have, this syncing could take hours.
After you have finished syncing your New iPad, you’re ready to use it. You will have to log in to some accounts, such as your email accounts, but your apps will all be there, preferences save and high scores on your games preserved.
The New iPad will look the same as your previous iPad. If you’re upgrading from the iPad 2 to the New iPad, you may have difficulty telling the two apart, so perhaps move an app or a folder on your home screen so you can tell the difference between the two.
Setting Up 4G
If you had 3G on your previous iPad and want to switch your account to 4G on your New iPad, you can do that from your iPad. Go to Settings => Cellular Data and follow the steps to transfer your account to your New iPad. Here are the links to help you set up your 4G account on AT&T and Verizon.
Other Choices
The question was about setting up your New iPad to be just like your old iPad, but you should know that there are alternative ways to set up your New iPad than what I just explained. You can also sync to iCloud or set up your New iPad as a new iPad.
iCloud
When first turn on your New iPad, one of the questions you will be asked is whether you want to Set Up as New iPad, Restore from iCloud Backup, or Restore from iTunes Backup (see image above).
I have heard from several Wonder of Tech readers that they have lost important data, such as Calendar and Contact information when syncing to iCloud. Others prefer the convenience of syncing to iCloud and haven’t had problems.
I sync to iTunes on my computer. I recommend this as it appears that syncing to iCloud has some issues.
Setting Up as New
Some people recommend that if you are setting up a new iPad or iPhone, you should start from scratch and set it up as a new device. This means that you have to reload all of your apps manually. You will lose settings, high scores, login information, etc. if you set up your New iPads as a new device. I haven’t had any problems setting up my iDevices as a Backup from previous devices.
Bottom Line
Syncing your New iPad with the same apps, settings and content as your previous iPad will make your transition to your new device as seamless as possible. While the syncing will take some time to complete, you will save time by having a New iPad that seems instantly familiar, but with improved features. The best of both worlds!
Have you ever upgraded an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch? How did the process go? Let us know in the Comments section below!
Great information I will have to store away for when I finally get a new iPad! Question – would you follow the same basic procedure if you were upgrading an iPhone and wanted to keep all your apps and data like phone numbers and addresses?
Hi Carol, I’m glad you found this helpful. When I get the same question from multiple Wonder of Tech readers, I figure I should write about the topic because others must be wondering the same thing.
Great question! Yes, you should take the same steps listed above whether you are upgrading an iPad or an iPhone. Enjoy you new iPad!
I just got my first iPad, Carolyn…it’s in a very nice case, got a finger proof skin thing for it, and now will you show me how to use it, please? I always get hesitant when I get a new tech gadget…in this case, having an iPhone and MacBook Pro, I will figure it out as they’re all related, but sometimes I seriously “leave it in the box” ’cause so few have decent instruction manuals. Just did that with the new camera I got, which when I opened and began using was completely easy!
Hi Bruce, Congratulations on getting your first iPad! Since you already have an iPhone, using an iPad will feel as if you’re getting together with a familiar friend. Apple believes their devices are so easy to use that you don’t need a manual.
If you want a manual, I highly recommend the Missing Manual series. I haven’t read the iPad Missing Manual by New York Times tech reporter, J.D. Biersdorfer, but I’m sure it’s good. I linked to the Kindle edition so you can get it and keep it handy on your iPad using the free Kindle app.
BTW, please join #DadChat some Thursday, Carolyn! Tonight we’re talking about Family Fitness with experts @MizFitOnline and @Fitarella. On April 12, we are celebrating our 1-year anniversary with a VERY SPECIAL guest that you won’t want to miss (father of four and #SM guru/God!)…
Hi Bruce, I would love to join a #DadChat on Twitter. What time do they start?
#DadChat is EVERY Thursday, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., PST. Tonight we’re discussing Family Fitness. Note April 12 when Guy Kawasaki will be guest host!
Wow, that’s great that you got Guy Kawasaki! I will definitely try to be there for that one. Thanks for letting us know about it.
When you get your old one synced up; you can go ahead and ship it to me….I’ll pay for shipping of course…………COD……….
Hey Bill, Thanks for that, I greatly appreciate it. If I ever have a contest for people who want me to have a contest, you would win! :-??
Wow! I had been searching for some tips how to sync my iPad2 with my brand new iPad for a while, when I found your blog. Thanks for the useful information!
Hi Julie, Thanks, I’m so glad you found this article helpful. I have been receiving a lot of questions about this from Wonder of Tech readers so I figures there would others who needed this information.
Hi Carolyn,
This is excellently done. I don’t think you could have made it any easier for us 🙂
I don’t quite have the need or funds for a new iPad but I’m sure I’ll upgrade eventually and this will be extremely useful.
Thanks,
Bryce
Hi Bryce, Thank you for your very kind words. They mean a lot coming from you!
If your iPad is working well for you, no need to upgrade. But when you do, this article will be here waiting for you. 🙂
I totally didn’t know this because I changed my old to a new ipad2. but then I might use this on the new ipad.
Hi Tina, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, these instructions will work if you buy a new iPad 2. The initial setup on your iPad 2 will be slightly different, but the instructions about syncing will be the same.
Enjoy your new iPad 2!
Ever so useful information even if I do not have a new iPad. I will most certainly keep this post for future use but what I will do now is check whether my iPad is properly synced via iTunes. For obvious reasons iCloud does not work on my laptop (I still use leopard and will wait for the next version of mountain lion or grizzly bear or whatever).
Carolyn, thank you so much, you make it seem so easypeasy – even for dummies!
Have a great day!
Hi Barbara, Lol, there are no dummies at The Wonder of Tech. If you found this blog you are very smart! 🙂
Yes, syncing your iDevices can solve a lot of issues and make sure that your data and other content is preserved, should your device get lost or damaged. “Connecting to the Mother Ship” every so often will make everything run more smoothly.
Loved the grizzly bear reference, Barbara! Thanks for stopping by and brightening our day. 🙂
Hey Carolyn,
This is awesome information and perfect timing 🙂
I’ll be waiting to by my new iPad until after Easter, but I need a new one.
I’m looking for the same information for when I’ll be switching from the iPhone 3GS to iPhone 4S 🙂
Hi Carolyn
Your article is great although I do not have two iPods, but it would be useful if I get the latest version of the iPod later, the old one does not directly be dumped into the trash.
Hi Win, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech. Absolutely don’t trash your old iPad. There are plenty of good uses for an iPad, including schools and organizations to help autistic children. I realize you don’t have two iPads, but someday you might and it’s good to know that they won’t have to go to waste. 🙂
Thanks for the helpful article! Quick follow-up question…I’ve looked for answers elsewhere on the web, but I’m still confused. After I “restored from backup” to set up my ipad 3 from my ipad 2, the pictures transfered and things in safari transfered, but none of my apps or music transfered. I’m signed into itunes with the same name–do you have any idea what I’m doing wrong? How can I get my music and apps from my old ipad onto my new one? Many thanks again!
Hi Tara, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m sorry that happened to you. I suggest checking your settings in iTunes when you have your iPad 3 plugged in. Click on the name of your iPad 3 on the left column in iTunes (such as “Tara’s iPad 3”), then click on the tabs in the center screen that say Music and Applications. Make sure that “Sync All” is checked for both. If not, check them and then click “Apply”. If “Sync All” is already checked under those tabs or that fix doesn’t work, try restoring from backup again.
The music and apps definitely should have appeared on your new iPad so hopefully one of these solutions helps. Keep me posted.