Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

How to transfer PDF files wirelessly to the iPad

A

aohus

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Apr 4, 2010
1,905
539
sky
What is a good app where I can transfer files to the iPad2 without having to physically sync the device? I'd like to wirelessly transfer some PDF files on my windows computer to the iPad2, wirelessly. Thanks.
 
Not to state the obvious, but with iOS5 and iTunes 10.5, just drag the PDFs to iTunes and sync the iPad over wifi. (Assumes you have Sync all Books checked).

PDF Expert (app) supports Dropbox sync as well
 
aohus said:
What is a good app where I can transfer files to the iPad2 without having to physically sync the device? I'd like to wirelessly transfer some PDF files on my windows computer to the iPad2, wirelessly. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I use GoodReader. Awesome reader and has its own wireless server built in. Very cool!
 
Shouldn't iTunes be able to sync them wirelessly so they can be read in iBooks? Or is that not working?
 
Maybe have a look at calibre. You can transfer documents (ebooks, pdf etc.) via wifi or direct.

I'm using this for a while now.

Regards, johoe
 
Filebrowser, that will also give you access to far more than just PDF files. It's fantastic if you have a nas.
 
aohus said:
What is a good app where I can transfer files to the iPad2 without having to physically sync the device? I'd like to wirelessly transfer some PDF files on my windows computer to the iPad2, wirelessly. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Fileapp creates an FTP drive on the phone that can receive files from any machine.

WiFly does the same, but through http using any browser.

iFileExpress gives access to the entire file system on your computer from anywhere (not just the local wifi), once you install the companion app.

UbiDisk might be the best of the bunch, as it combines http transfers (any browser on any machine), FTP transfers, Bluetooth transfers to other iOS devices, and some other fun stuff.

The best part is, all of these apps are FREE!

Have fun!
 
  • Dropbox
  • Skydrive
  • Box.net
  • SugarSync
  • Goodreader (all above)
  • PDF Expert (all above)
  • ReaddleDocs (all above)

The last 3 have their own IP address for wireless transfer. If on a Mac, I suggest you set up a WebDav on your Mac (I use mediamaster server) and sync wirelessly.

Just to clarify, when I say "all above", it means that the apps support the cloud sites listed above them. In other words, PDF Expert (my preferred one) supports Dropbox, Skydrive, Google Drive, Box, SugarSync, etc. so a sep. app is not needed.
 
Last edited:
My four would be:

1. File Browser - As stated great with a NAS or a network with shares (Has Dropbox access but was, is?, a paid feature)
2. Air Sharing - Can access Dropbox and other cloud servers on install and has a web sharing mode for download to or upload from another computer.
3. Filer - This is an app I mostly use more for downloading odd file types from the web, but it has access to Dropbox and a web sharing mode for file transfers as well...
4. Dropbox - It's a good app, but kinda basic. Still, it's free and does what you're looking for.
 
GoodReader has gotten a lot of recommendations here, but it is just so complex and ugly with millions of options and buttons.

I prefer Readdle Documents: https://itunes.apple.com/app/id364901807?mt=8

It is simple, beautiful and works great. It allows you to sync a folder over dropbox. This way you just put a file into a folder on your computer and it gets uploaded to dropbox. Then you start Documents on your iPad and sync the folder, which downloads the file for reading and annotating to your iPad.

Oh, and its free!
 
Kimcha said:
GoodReader has gotten a lot of recommendations here, but it is just so complex and ugly with millions of options and buttons.

I prefer Readdle Documents: https://itunes.apple.com/app/id364901807?mt=8

It is simple, beautiful and works great. It allows you to sync a folder over dropbox. This way you just put a file into a folder on your computer and it gets uploaded to dropbox. Then you start Documents on your iPad and sync the folder, which downloads the file for reading and annotating to your iPad.

Oh, and its free!
Click to expand...

I personally find goodreader is best for categorising and sorting out tons of pdfs, and less so for annotation (not least because bring up the toolbars to insert comments and the like is so cumbersome).

My personal vote goes to notability. Smooth, clean interface. :)
 
deeddawg said:
Not to state the obvious, but with iOS5 and iTunes 10.5, just drag the PDFs to iTunes and sync the iPad over wifi. (Assumes you have Sync all Books checked).
Click to expand...

trouble with that is that it puts them into ibooks

you'd have to do file sharing to get them into anything else and i'm not certain that file sharing works over the whole wifi sync option. but it might be worth a try.
 
deeddawg said:
Not to state the obvious, but with iOS5 and iTunes 10.5, just drag the PDFs to iTunes and sync the iPad over wifi. (Assumes you have Sync all Books checked).

PDF Expert (app) supports Dropbox sync as well
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly?
 
It requires to jailbreak iPad and then install OpenSSH. I can then use WinSCP (which I use everyday anyways) and transfer files back and forth directly from my PC over wifi without iTunes and without a cable (assuming the iPad is on and connected to wifi of course). In theory, it should not require any interaction on the iPad itself, but until I install it and play with it, I wont' know that for sure.
 
I use an app called 'documents' which has support for both Dropbox and google drive. I upload to the drive and just download the PDFs straight from the app
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back