Upgrading to a new iPad is exciting, especially for digital artists who rely on Procreate for creative work. However, one of the biggest concerns is ensuring that all your artwork, brushes, palettes, and projects transfer safely to the new device.

Fortunately, there are several reliable ways t move your Procreate files to a new iPad without losing your creations. This guide explains the best methods and provides step-by-step instructions to help you transfer everything smoothly.

Table of Contents

Why Transfer Procreate Files Properly?

Procreate stores artwork locally on your iPad. If you don’t back up your files before switching devices, you risk losing:

Finished artwork
Work-in-progress projects
Custom brushes
Color palettes
Fonts used in designs
Time-lapse recordings

Taking a few minutes to transfer your files correctly can save hours of lost work.

Method 1: Transfer Procreate Files Using iCloud Backup

This is the easiest method if you’re moving from one iPad to another and want to transfer everything at once.

Step 1: Back Up Your Old iPad

Open Settings.
Tap your Apple ID at the top.
Select iCloud.
Tap iCloud Backup.
Turn on iCloud Backup.
Tap Back Up Now.

Wait for the backup process to complete before proceeding.

Step 2: Set Up Your New iPad

Turn on your new iPad.
Follow the setup instructions.
Select Restore from iCloud Backup.
Sign in with the same Apple ID.
Choose the latest backup.

The iPad will begin restoring your apps and data, including Procreate projects if they were included in the backup.

Step 3: Verify Your Artwork

After setup:

Open Procreate.
Check the Gallery view.
Confirm all artwork and projects appear correctly.

Method 2: Use Quick Start to Transfer Everything

Apple’s Quick Start feature can migrate data directly from one iPad to another.

Step 1: Place Both iPads Together

Ensure both devices are charged.
Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Step 2: Start Quick Start

Turn on the new iPad.
Place it near the old iPad.
A Quick Start prompt appears on the old device.
Tap Continue.

Step 3: Follow On-Screen Instructions

Scan the animation shown on the new iPad.
Enter your passcode if prompted.
Select Transfer from iPad.

The transfer process may take several minutes depending on the amount of data.

Step 4: Open Procreate

Once completed:

Launch Procreate.
Confirm all files transferred successfully.

Method 3: Export Individual Procreate Projects

If you only want specific artwork, manually exporting files is a great option.

Step 1: Open Your Artwork

Launch Procreate.
Open the project you want to transfer.

Step 2: Export the File

Tap Actions (wrench icon).
Select Share.
Choose a format:

Procreate (.procreate)
PSD
PDF
PNG
JPEG
TIFF

For editable files, choose .procreate.

Step 3: Save to iCloud Drive

Tap Save to Files.
Select iCloud Drive.
Choose a folder.
Tap Save.

Step 4: Import on the New iPad

Open Procreate on the new iPad.
Tap Import.
Navigate to the saved file.
Select it.

The artwork will appear in your Gallery.

Method 4: Transfer Using AirDrop

AirDrop is ideal for transferring a small number of files quickly.

Step 1: Enable AirDrop

On both iPads:

Open Control Center.
Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Turn on AirDrop.

Step 2: Share the Artwork

Open the artwork in Procreate.
Tap Actions > Share.
Choose Procreate format.
Select AirDrop.
Tap the new iPad.

Step 3: Accept the Transfer

On the new iPad:

Accept the incoming file.
Choose Open in Procreate.

The artwork will import automatically.

How to Transfer Procreate Brushes

Custom brushes often represent years of work and should be backed up separately.

Export Brushes

Open the Brush Library.
Swipe left on a custom brush.
Tap Share.
Save the brush file (.brush) to iCloud Drive.

Import Brushes

On the new iPad:

Open the Brush Library.
Tap the + icon or Import.
Select the saved brush file.

The brush will be added to your library.

How to Transfer Color Palettes

Export a Palette

Open the Color panel.
Tap the palette options.
Choose Share.

Import a Palette

Open Colors.
Tap the + icon.
Select Import Palette.
Choose the saved file.

Common Problems and Solutions

Procreate Files Missing After Transfer

Try the following:

Ensure the backup completed successfully.
Sign in with the correct Apple ID.
Update Procreate to the latest version.
Check iCloud Drive synchronization.

Artwork Won’t Open

Possible causes include:

Corrupted file transfer
Incompatible app version
Incomplete download

Re-export the project and transfer it again.

Not Enough Storage

Before transferring:

Delete unnecessary files.
Move old projects to cloud storage.
Check available storage in Settings.

Best Practices Before Switching iPads

To avoid losing artwork:

Create a full iCloud backup.
Export important projects individually.
Back up custom brushes and palettes.
Verify transferred files before erasing the old iPad.
Keep both devices updated to the latest iPadOS version.

Final Thoughts

Transferring Procreate files to a new iPad is straightforward when you use the right method. For most users, iCloud Backup or Quick Start provides the easiest way to move everything at once. Artists who want extra protection should also export important projects, brushes, and palettes manually.

By following these steps, you can move to your new iPad confidently and continue creating without losing any valuable artwork, settings, or custom resources.

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Learn how to transfer Procreate files to a new iPad with this step-by-step guide. Move artwork, brushes, palettes, and projects safely using iCloud, AirDrop, Quick Start, and more.

How to Transfer Procreate Files to a New iPad: A Step-by-Step Guide