Four Ways to Access PC Files from iPad over Wi-Fi

Do you want to access PC files from iPad over Wi-Fi? This post mainly introduces four solutions for you to remotely access PC files or even remotely control PC.

Ellie

By Ellie / Updated on January 31, 2023

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Can I access files on my PC from my iPad?

“PC is not that portable as iPad. But most of my important files are stored on my PC. Is there any way that let me access files on my PC from my iPad, so I can deal with my work anywhere as I have my iPad with me?”

How to access PC files from iPad over Wi-Fi

The ways to access PC files from iPad over Wi-Fi are various. Here we listed the typical four ways on how to access or transfer files from iPad to PC wirelessly.

Method 1. Free & easy remote desktop software AnyViewer

The first method we want to introduce here is to use the free remote desktop software AnyViewer. Its Windows version supports multiple Windows systems, and its iOS version supports iPhone and iPad running iOS 10.0 or later.

Part 1. Enable remote access on Windows computer

Step 1. Download, install and launch AnyViewer on the Windows computer.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7
Secure Download

Connect

Step 2. Go to Log in, and then click Sign up. (If you already have signed up on its official website, you can log in directly.)

Log in AnyViewer

Step 3. Fill in the signup information.

Sign Up for AnyViewer

Step 4. Then you can see you successfully logged in to AnyViewer. Your device will automatically be assigned to the account you've logged in to.

Free Editions

Part 2. Achieve unattended remote access on the iPad

Step 1. Download and install AnyViewer for iOS on your iPhone, then open it. Log in to the same account that you've logged into the computer.

Download Freeware iOS 10.0 or later
Secure Download

Log in to AnyViewer iPad

 Step 2. Then all the devices that have been logged in to the same account will be displayed here. Choose the device that you want to control.

My Device iOS

Step 3. Click One-click control to achieve unattended remote access to the specific computer.

Remote Control iPad

Step 4. Then you'll be successfully connecting your iPad to a Windows computer. You’re able to remotely connect to a Windows server from an iPad and access PC files directly from your iPad. It supports both vertical and horizontal screens, you can switch freely.

Access Files iPad

✍Note: AnyViewer also allows you to remotely control a PC from iPhone. You can use your iPhone to remotely access your computer files as well.

Method 2. The Windows built-in Remote Desktop

Step 1. Download RD Client on your iPad.

Download RD Client iPad

Step 2. Click “+” sign and then click Add PC.

Add a PC

Step 3. Enter the desktop name or IP address. Type the account name you want to use in the User Account field, or just select Ask When Required.

Add PC Information

Step 4. Configure other options as you needed. Then click Save.

Configure PC

Step 5. An icon for the computer you want to access will appear, tap that icon. Before this, please make sure that Remote Desktop has been enabled on your computer.

Remote PC Desktop

Step 6. Then you can access files on your PC from your iPad.

Remote Desktop- from PC

Note: There are two things that you need to pay attention to. The first is that the way to use iPhone to remotely access a PC is pretty much the same as using an iPad. The second is that you need to make sure that the two devices you are meant to connect to are under that same Wi-Fi.

Method 3. Chrome Remote Desktop

You can also use Chrome Remote Desktop on iPad to remotely access PC files.

Step 1. On your PC, open the Chrome Remote Desktop web page and click Remote Access and then click the blue button to download CRD.

Set Up Remote Access

Step 2. On the Chrome web store, click on Add to Chrome to add the Chrome Remote Desktop in your Chrome browser.

Add to Chrome

Step 3. Click Add extension to confirm the installation.

Confirm Installation

Step 4. Click on Accept & Install to install it.

Ready to Install

Step 5. Enter a name for your computer and then click Next.

Choose Name

Step 6. Choose a PIN with at least 6 numbers, and then enter it twice to start the program. 

Choose a PIN

Step 7. Go to the iPad App Store to download and install CRD, click SIGN IN at the bottom of the screen, and log in to the same Google account as on the remote computer. Find the remote device that needs to be connected on the main interface.

Connect to Remote Device

Step 8. Enter the PIN code set on the remote computer and click the arrow icon to achieve remote control over Google Chrome Remote Desktop on iPad.

Enter PIN Code

Step 9. Then you can access PC files from iPad over Wi-Fi.

Use Chrome Remote Desktop on iPad

Method 4. The iPad built-in Files app

Step 1. On the Windows server, right-click the folder you want to access from the iPad, then choose Properties.

Properties Folder

Step 2. Go to Sharing tab, then click Share.

Sharing Folder

Step 3. Choose people to share with, then click Share.

Sharing User

Step 4. Click Done to finish the process.

Done

Step 5. Open the built-in Files app on your iPad.

Files App

Step 6. Tap on the "triple-dot" icon located at the top-right corner.

Connect to Server

Step 7. Put in the server address and tap Connect.

Server IP Address

Step 8. Choose Guest or Registered User according to the setup on your file server. Enter the username and password, and then tap Next.

Registered User

Step 9. You will now be connected to the shared folder.

Shared Folder

Step 10. You’re able to copy, move, delete, duplicate and rename the files.

Files

Conclusion

This post mainly introduces four typical methods to access PC files from iPad over Wi-Fi, namely, the free remote desktop software AnyViewer, the Windows built-in Remote Desktop, Chrome Remote Desktop, and the iOS built-in Files App. You can choose according to your preference.