Transferring your favorite Procreate brushes to a new iPad allows you to maintain your creative workflow without losing your custom tools. Whether you’re upgrading devices or restoring your setup, this guide will walk you through the simple steps to ensure your brushes are safely moved and ready to use on your new device. Before starting, ensure both iPads are connected to Wi-Fi, have sufficient storage, and are updated to the latest iOS and Procreate versions for smooth transfer.
What You’ll Need
- Both your old and new iPads
- Procreate app installed on both devices
- iCloud account or access to cloud storage (optional but recommended)
- A stable Wi-Fi connection
- A computer (Mac or Windows) with iTunes or Finder (optional, for manual transfer)
Step-by-Step
- Back Up Your Old iPad: Ensure your current iPad is backed up via iCloud or iTunes/Finder. This preserves your data, including Procreate brushes if they are stored in the app’s files.
- Export Brushes from Procreate: Open Procreate on your old iPad. Navigate to the Brush Library, tap the gear icon, and select the brushes you want to transfer. Tap ‘Share’ and choose a format like .brushset or .brush. Save these files to Files app or upload them to iCloud Drive or another cloud service.
- Transfer Files to Your New iPad: On your new device, open the Files app or cloud storage app where you saved your brush files. Download or locate the .brushset files.
- Import Brushes into Procreate: Launch Procreate on your new iPad. Go to the Brush Library, tap the ‘+’ icon, then choose ‘Import’. Find your saved brush files in Files or cloud storage, select them, and they will be added to your brush library.
- Organize and Test Your Brushes: After importing, organize your brushes within Procreate for easy access. Test a few brushes to ensure they function correctly and appear as expected.
- Optional – Use iCloud Backup for Complete Transfer: If you prefer, you can restore your entire old iPad backup to your new device via iCloud or iTunes/Finder. This method restores all apps, settings, and data, including your Procreate brushes if they are stored within the app data.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to export brushes before transferring data — brushes won’t transfer unless explicitly exported and imported.
- Using incompatible file formats — ensure you export and import in .brushset or .brush formats supported by Procreate.
- Not updating Procreate or iOS — outdated software can cause compatibility issues.
- Overlooking cloud storage permissions — ensure Procreate has access to Files or cloud storage for smooth import/export.
- Misplacing brush files — keep track of where you save your brush files during the transfer process.
Tips
- Organize your brushes into sets before exporting for easier management on the new device.
- Use iCloud Drive or Dropbox to transfer files seamlessly between devices.
- Keep both devices charged during the process to avoid interruptions.
- Update Procreate to the latest version to ensure compatibility with brush files.
- Create a backup of your brushes periodically to prevent loss.
Troubleshooting
If your brushes aren’t appearing after transfer, double-check that you exported and imported the correct files in supported formats. Ensure Procreate has permission to access Files or cloud storage. Restart the app or device if necessary. If brushes still don’t load correctly, try re-importing the files. In case of persistent issues, reinstall Procreate and repeat the export/import process. Always keep your software updated to prevent compatibility problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my brushes without using cloud storage?
Yes, you can transfer brushes via AirDrop or by connecting your iPads to a computer and manually copying the brush files.
Will my custom brushes stay intact after transfer?
As long as you export and import the brushes correctly in supported formats, they will retain their settings and appearance.
Is there a way to transfer all my data, including brushes, without manual export?
Yes, restoring from a full device backup via iCloud or iTunes/Finder will transfer all app data, including brushes, if they are stored within the app data.
What if my brushes appear corrupted after transfer?
Try re-exporting the brushes and re-importing them. Ensure the files are not corrupted during transfer and that they are in the correct format.
Can I transfer brushes from a Windows PC to my iPad?
Yes, export the brushes from your PC in a compatible format, then upload them to iCloud Drive or another cloud service and import them into Procreate on your iPad.
How often should I back up my brushes?
Regular backups are recommended, especially before major updates or device changes, to prevent data loss.
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