Do you want to learn how to set up a new iPad for music? Some of the steps are the same as a general setup.
But you have to consider a few things with your first model or an upgrade. Read on for the steps for both scenarios.
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How to Set Up a New iPad
Getting a new iPad to use for music is exciting. If this is your first iPad, you’ll need to follow a few steps before you jump into everything.
Here’s what you’ll have to do after getting an iPad for the first time.
Follow Apple’s Instructions
When you first turn on the iPad, Apple will have some prompts on the screen. You’ll want to follow all of these steps as best as you can. If this is your first Apple device overall, you’ll have to create an Apple ID.
Otherwise, you can enter your Apple ID. Then, you can set up things like the language and the Face ID, if your iPad model uses that.
Go through all of the steps until you see the standard iPad home screen.
Install Music Apps
Now, you’re ready to set up a new iPad with the apps you want. If you’re using the app to read music, I’d recommend downloading forScore. That’s the app I and many other musicians use to read and annotate scores.
IMSLP is good for finding free sheet music. Then, you can export the files to forScore for more features.
I’d suggest getting a tuner and metronome app, like Tunable. You can also download YouTube to listen to recordings. If you want to get into arranging or composing, you may want to download Notion or Symphony Pro.
Install a Scanner App
You should also download something like Tiny Scanner to scan print copies of music to your device. That way, you can easily turn your print music into a digital file to import into forScore.
I believe forScore has a built-in scanner. However, I prefer to use a separate app just because it works well for me.
Download or Scan Music
Of course, you need to get some music on your iPad. You can download music from IMSLP or from the Flute Files shop right yere.
If you have print music to add, you can use a scanner app for that. Now, scanning all of your music can take a while.
I’d recommend spacing it out over a few weeks. Start with the music you NEED to put on your iPad. Then, you can take more time to add other piece.
How to Transfer From an Old iPad
If you just upgraded, you’ll want to know how to set up a new iPad from your current one. That way, you won’t lose all of your files and annotations.
Luckily, the steps for this are pretty easy.
Backup Your Current iPad
First, you should go into your settings on your current iPad. Go to the iCloud section and look for backups. Then, start a new backup so that you save everything on your device to the cloud.
Wait for the backup process to finish. It may only take a few minutes, but it could take a lot longer, depending on how many files and apps you have.
Backup Your Sheet Music
To be extra safe, I’d recommend also backing up your sheet music. If you use forScore, you can do this in the app. Alternatively, you can send copies of all of your pieces to the cloud.
Do this in the Apple Files app or in another cloud storage app of your choice. That way, you’ll have extra copies in case something goes wrong with the device backup.
Follow Apple’s Instructions
Now, you can switch to your new iPad. Do what you’d do if it was your first iPad, but you’ll want to have your current model close by. That way, the new one can track it, and you can connect the two iPads.
Follow all of the steps for how to set up a new iPad using your current one. Apple does a good job of walking you through this process. It can take a while to complete, so try and be patient.
Review Everything
After you can use your new iPad like normal, you’ll want to check everything. Make sure all of your apps transferred over. Check to see if any pieces of music are missing within forScore or other apps you use.
If so, you can use AirDrop to move them from your old iPad. Yes, doing this will be annoying and can take time.
But it’s worth checking before you delete the data off your old iPad or before your next big rehearsal. The last thing you want is to not be able to access some essential files.
Why Would You Need to Set Up a New iPad?
When you’re ready to go digital, you have to set up a new iPad. The tablets don’t come ready for your to use.
If you ever want to get a new model, you’ll need to set up a new iPad. I had to do this a while ago when I switched to using an iPad Pro.
How Often Should You Upgrade Your iPad?
It depends on how often you want to and can afford to. I used a regular iPad for almost three years before getting the bigger Pro model.
But I used the iPad I had before that for like five years (though not really for sheet music). Everyone’s different, so upgrade when it feels right for you.
Will You Set Up a New iPad?
Knowing how to set up a new iPad can set you up for success. Whether this is your first model or an upgrade, you need to follow a few steps.
That way, your iPad will be ready for you to use. And you can customize it to meet your needs.
If you’re looking to improve how you use your iPad for music, download forScore and More!