How to Watch Shared Videos from a Computer on an iPad

This updated guide explains how to Watch Shared Videos from a Computer on an iPad through clear steps, practical examples, and important checks that help prevent common errors.

Part 1 of 3:

Open your iPad's Settings. It's a grey app with gears on it that you'll likely find on the Home Screen.
Tap Wi-Fi. This option is toward the top of the column of Settings options that's on the left side of the screen.
Make sure your Wi-Fi is on. To use Home Sharing on your iPad, you must be both connected to the same network as your computer.
- If your iPad isn't connected to the Internet, you'll slide the Wi-Fi switch right to the "On" position, then select your home network.
Scroll down and tap TV. This icon is about halfway down the Settings column.
Tap Sign in. This option is below the "HOME SHARING" heading near the bottom of the "TV" page.
- If you instead see your Apple ID email address here, you're already signed in.
Enter your Apple ID email address and password. These are the credentials you use to purchase items from the App Store.
Tap OK. This will sign you into your Apple ID account on your iPad's Home Sharing feature. Now you'll need to sign into iTunes and enable Home Sharing on your computer as well.

Part 2 of 3:

Open iTunes. It's a white app with a multicolored musical note on it.
Click Account. This is either a menu item in the menu bar at the top of the screen (Mac) or a tab at the top of the iTunes window (Windows).
Click Sign In. It's at the top of the drop-down menu.
- If you instead see your name and Apple ID email address here, you're already signed in.
Enter your Apple ID email address and password. These credentials must match the ones you entered on your iPad.
Click Sign In. Doing so will log you into the same Apple ID account that you're using for Home Sharing on your iPad.
Click File. It's either a menu item in the top-left side of the screen (Mac) or a tab near the top-left corner of the iTunes window (Windows).
Select Home Sharing. It's about halfway down the drop-down menu.
Click Turn on Home Sharing. Doing so will invoke a pop-up window.
Enter your Apple ID password.
Click Turn on Home Sharing, then click OK. This will enable Home Sharing on your current network for your Apple ID. You should now be able to view any videos that are in your computer's iTunes library while on your iPad (and vice versa).

Part 3 of 3:

Viewing Videos on Your iPad

Open your iPad's TV app. This app is black with a grey and blue TV monitor icon. You'll typically find this app on the Home Screen.
Tap Library. It's in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
Tap a video. Doing so will open it in full-screen mode. It should begin playing right away, though you may first have to tap the "Play" triangle icon.
- You may first have to tap a category such as TV Shows .
- You won't be able to view home videos (e. g., non-purchased videos) in the TV app over Home Sharing.

FAQ

What is the easiest way to Watch Shared Videos from a Computer on an iPad?

Start with the requirements in this guide, then follow each step in order. Check the result after every major change so problems are easier to identify.