iPad: How to transfer PDF file from iPad to MacBook? (no Internet, not using iCould)

[kulimer]

Dear experts on MacRumors,

How do you transfer your pdf from iPad to Macbook? I have OS X Lion. The file is sitting right inside iBooks on my iPad.

I don't want to use sync, just for one file. Sync will take forever because it installs a copy of my apps first, then, updates the one I want.

I just want to drag the file to my desktop, but I can't. I am quite frustrated. Com'on now. I see it right there. help please!!!

[reputationZed]

Not sure what you mean by not using sync. You could transfer the doc using iTunes.http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/artic...es_with_itunes

[kulimer]

Originally Posted by reputationZed

Not sure what you mean by not using sync. You could transfer the doc using iTunes.http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/artic...es_with_itunes

It doesn't work. I think that's an old interface. The new iTunes doesn't have an add button.

It gives you a mini view of what's on your "iPad desktop". You click sync, it snycs. But where is my pdf located at? Is there a folder?

SHOW ME THE FILE, Apple!! Sorry I sound a little frustrated, I don't understand Apple makes this so hard. I just want to drag out that pdf and be able to use it already.

What's wrong with dragging it out? I just don't like the sync button. Every time I have to make sure the stuff I want is checked and vice versa.

[Night Spring]

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but syncing might be the fastest way to get at that PDF. Next time, when you know you want to "drag" a PDF to your computer later, don't save it to iBooks. Get the GoodReader app, and save it there. From there, there are a number of ways to transfer the file to your computer without doing a full sync. But since the PDF is in iBooks, the only way to get it out is to do a sync (although perhaps a "transfer purchases" might work), or to email it to yourself. Once you sync, the file should end up in the Books folder in the iTunes Media folder, which I believe is inside the iTunes folder, provided you haven't changed the default location for the iTunes Media folder.

[reputationZed]

I thought that iBooks supported file transfer through the apps file share in iTunes. Apparently I was wrong. It looks like sync may be your only option with iBooks. Why Apple doesn't allow a more traditional access to the file system is a topic that's been done to death. Do a search if you interested, but your unlikely to find a satisfactory answer. Sorry I could not be more help, good luck with your PDF.

[kulimer]

Originally Posted by Night Spring

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but syncing might be the fastest way to get at that PDF. Next time, when you know you want to "drag" a PDF to your computer later, don't save it to iBooks. Get the GoodReader app, and save it there. From there, there are a number of ways to transfer the file to your computer without doing a full sync. But since the PDF is in iBooks, the only way to get it out is to do a sync (although perhaps a "transfer purchases" might work), or to email it to yourself. Once you sync, the file should end up in the Books folder in the iTunes Media folder, which I believe is inside the iTunes folder, provided you haven't changed the default location for the iTunes Media folder.

How do you sync, really? I did snyc. But still don't see the file.
iTunes Media folder has these folders:
-Automatically Add to iTunes
-Downloads
-iTunes U
-Mobile Applications
-Music
-Podcasts

None of them have pdf file. "Downloads" contains "Podcasts" folder, that's it!

At this point, I just want to get the pdf file onto my laptop already. I've spent 3 hours searching.

[reputationZed]

Originally Posted by kulimer

How do you sync, really? I did snyc. But still don't see the file.
iTunes Media folder has these folders:
-Automatically Add to iTunes
-Downloads
-iTunes U
-Mobile Applications
-Music
-Podcasts

None of them have pdf file. "Downloads" contains "Podcasts" folder, that's it!

At this point, I just want to get the pdf file onto my laptop already. I've spent 3 hours searching.

there should be an option to sync under the 'books' tab.

[kulimer]

Originally Posted by reputationZed

I thought that iBooks supported file transfer through the apps file share in iTunes. Apparently I was wrong. It looks like sync may be your only option with iBooks. Why Apple doesn't allow a more traditional access to the file system is a topic that's been done to death. Do a search if you interested, but your unlikely to find a satisfactory answer. Sorry I could not be more help, good luck with your PDF.

I just called Applecare, the lady said she *thinks* it's impossible. Well, we just had one solution above, so she's wrong. I don't know, I am a big Apple fan, but I hate how they have these "rules" and so stubborn about it.

If anything, enable the bluetooth, and let me transfer. What's the big deal there!

People in the Andriod world drag and bluetooth their files left and right. That's one thing I applaud about open source.

[Night Spring]

Originally Posted by kulimer

How do you sync, really? I did snyc. But still don't see the file.
iTunes Media folder has these folders:
-Automatically Add to iTunes
-Downloads
-iTunes U
-Mobile Applications
-Music
-Podcasts

None of them have pdf file. "Downloads" contains "Podcasts" folder, that's it!

At this point, I just want to get the pdf file onto my laptop already. I've spent 3 hours searching.

try right-clicking on your iPad icon in iTunes, and select "transfer purchases" from pop-up menu.

When there are books synced to your iTunes library, there's a Books folder among those other folders you listed. So for some reason, your PDF isn't syncing.

Just email it to yourself for now, and next time, use GoodReader.

[kulimer]

Originally Posted by reputationZed

there should be an option to sync under the 'books' tab.

It doesn't work. PDF from my iPad will not show up in 'books' tab, it only shows PDF on my laptop.

----------

Originally Posted by Night Spring

try right-clicking on your iPad icon in iTunes, and select "transfer purchases" from pop-up menu.

When there are books synced to your iTunes library, there's a Books folder among those other folders you listed. So for some reason, your PDF isn't syncing.

Just email it to yourself for now, and next time, use GoodReader.

Wow, that worked, this is fantastic. Finally, thanks so much! I would never have came up idea with even if I played around for another hour.

I don't have WIFI on my laptop, even if I email, I can't receive it.

[Night Spring]

Originally Posted by kulimer

Wow, that worked, this is fantastic. Finally, thanks so much! I would never have came up idea with even if I played around for another hour.

I don't have WIFI on my laptop, even if I email, I can't receive it.

Glad that worked. And no WiFi on the laptop? No ethernet cable?

Anyway, if transfer purchases hadn't worked, then you could have emailed it to yourself, picked up the email on your iPad, then saved the PDF from the email into another app (like GoodReader) that does have the "save file to computer" function.

[kulimer]

I get a warning saying "iPad can only sync with one iTunes"!

What I am trying to do: Snyc Mac Desktop -----> iPad. Then, sync iPad ----> laptop (a MacBook).
The reason for that is long.

I suppose iPad really cling onto its one and only mate, but sometimes it's not so bad to have a one night stand with a MaBook.

----------

Originally Posted by Night Spring

Glad that worked. And no WiFi on the laptop? No ethernet cable?

Anyway, if transfer purchases hadn't worked, then you could have emailed it to yourself, picked up the email on your iPad, then saved the PDF from the email into another app (like GoodReader) that does have the "save file to computer" function.

Yup, it worked well. I am also upset that how we (actually you), know more about the iPad than the Apple "genius". They really don't deserve the genius title until they prove it to me again.

[Night Spring]

Originally Posted by kulimer

Yup, it worked well. I am also upset that how we (actually you), know more about the iPad than the Apple "genius". They really don't deserve the genius title until they prove it to me again.

Come to think about it, it might be a system quirk that Apple isn't really aware of. I mean, their mindset is that an iPad syncs to one computer only, right? So if they knew that "transfer purchase" worked to get content off an iPad onto a computer it isn't synced to, they might actually consider that a bug. Hmmmm...