How to transfer mp4 files from USB to iPad and watch them?

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › How to transfer mp4 files from USB to iPad and watch them?

kiwifidget

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#185203 13-Nov-2015 16:10

I have some mp4 files on a USB stick that my Mum wants to watch on her iPad (gen3 I think).
How do I get them there and what app does she need to view them?

I know what to do for Android tablets but I am a stranger in Apple-land.

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hio77

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#1427648 13-Nov-2015 16:16

Should just be able to dump them into itunes on the ipad and it will do it all for you..

itunes tries to make the whole process simple, to the point it tends to frustrate me...

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hairy1

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#1427650 13-Nov-2015 16:16

We now have to mention the dreaded i word..... That's right. iTunes.

Plug in the iPad to a PC. Fire up itunes and drag the mp4's into itunes.

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kiwifidget

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#1427661 13-Nov-2015 16:28

iTunes?
Mum does have a PC but I dont remember seeing that on it.

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hio77

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#1427663 13-Nov-2015 16:29

This monstrosity you will grow to dislike.

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wellygary

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#1427685 13-Nov-2015 17:11

There are vairous ways to do that without using Itunes,

Both the Goodreader and Filebrowser apps will allow you to play back locally stored Mp4 files,

Both will also allow you to connect to remote drives over wifi to pull the files onto the ipad, removing the need to plug it into a computer ( although you can do that too if you like)

kiwifidget

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#1427699 13-Nov-2015 17:42

wellygary:
Both will also allow you to connect to remote drives over wifi to pull the files onto the ipad, removing the need to plug it into a computer ( although you can do that too if you like)

Do you mean connecting to shared folders on Windows PC's?

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dazhann

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#1427702 13-Nov-2015 17:47

The way I do it that doesn't require itunes is an app called vlc streamer. You install app on ipad and server softwear on desktop. You can then, over wifi, stream or download to the ipad any movie file on your desk top or external drive connected to desktop. There's a free version if you want to try it. The paid version allows you to to cast to appletv and it costs all of $2.59

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richms

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#1427704 13-Nov-2015 17:50

I was getting so annoyed with this and a friend who wanted to watch things I gave them on their ipads that I told them to get a wifi HDD. It has software that will play things off the HDD over wifi streaming them. I can load it by plugging it in like a normal USB HDD, and so long as things go in the right folder, it will index them when its plugged into just power and present that to any device that connects to it either as a DLNA source, or in their halfbaked app.

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kiwifidget

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#1427705 13-Nov-2015 17:53

dazhann: The way I do it that doesn't require itunes is an app called vlc streamer. You install app on ipad and server softwear on desktop. You can then, over wifi, stream or download to the ipad any movie file on your desk top or external drive connected to desktop. There's a free version if you want to try it. The paid version allows you to to cast to appletv and it costs all of $2.59

Thanks dazhann, thats sounds nice and simple. No AppleTV so no need for the paid version.
I use VLC on my own PC, I did not know they had an Appley version.

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jarledb

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#1427718 13-Nov-2015 19:00

One way to get the files to the iPad: Use Dropbox. Easy peasy.

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scuwp

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#1427734 13-Nov-2015 19:51

Install VLC player on the ipad
Connect device to computer and launch iTunes
In iTunes on the computer go to the 'apps' area for the device - scroll down the bottom and there is a separate space for apps that have approval to manage content
Select VLC and then 'add'
Navigate to wherever the movie files are stored, select what you want to load, and then sit back and enjoy

I have yet to come across any format that VLC can't handle. Best piece of freeware out there IMO.

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Dairyxox

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#1427780 13-Nov-2015 22:28

Or upload to YouTube maybe? Then there is an app (forget the name now sorry) that lets you download YouTube videos if you must watch offline