How to Easily AirDrop AAC Pagesets Between iPads (Step-by-Step Guide)

A practical guide for speech pathologists transferring AAC vocabulary between iPads

Transferring AAC pagesets between iPads is one of the fastest ways to preserve and share customised communication systems. The easiest method is to AirDrop AAC pagesets, which allows you to quickly send AAC backups and vocabulary files without needing internet access.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to AirDrop AAC files from apps like Proloquo2Go, TD Snap, LAMP, TouchChat, Grid for iPad and more—so you can seamlessly transfer vocabulary between devices during trials, therapy, or handovers.

Key summary

• AirDrop is the fastest way to transfer AAC pagesets between iPads
• Most AAC apps allow backup, export and / or syncing of vocabulary files
• Files can be shared directly via AirDrop and imported on another device
• This is especially useful during AAC trials or device transitions
• Always rename files with client name and date for easy identification

Why transferring AAC pagesets matters

When trialling an AAC system, speech pathologists often customise vocabulary—adding personal words, editing buttons, and building meaningful communication layouts.

If the device is returned or replaced, that work can be lost without a proper transfer process.

Using AirDrop ensures:

• Reliable transfer without needing internet
• No loss of customised vocabulary
• Faster transitions between devices
• Easy sharing with families and other clinicians

When should you use AirDrop to transfer AAC files?

AirDrop is particularly useful when:

• A trial AAC device is being returned
• You need a quick backup of a client’s vocabulary
• Transferring between therapy and home devices
• Internet access is limited or unreliable

Because AirDrop uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi directly, transfers are typically fast and dependable.

Apps covered in this guide

• Proloquo2Go
• Proloquo
• TD Snap
• Grid for iPad
• TouchChat with WordPower
• LAMP Words for Life
• GoTalk Now
• Pictello
• Avaz

Common AAC file types

Knowing file types can help you quickly identify backups:

• Proloquo2Go → .p2gbk
• TD Snap → .sps
• LAMP → .sps
• Grid for iPad → .gridsetz
• TouchChat / LAMP Words for Life → .ce
• GoTalk Now → .gtbz
• Pictello → .pictello

How to set up your device for AirDrop

Before transferring files:

1. Go to Settings → General → AirDrop
2. Select Everyone for 10 Minutes
3. Ensure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled

To accept a file:

• Tap Accept when prompted
• Enter the verification code if required

How to AirDrop AAC pagesets (quick steps)

1. Export or back up the page set in the AAC app
2. Save the file to your device (if required)
3. Tap Share → AirDrop
4. Select the receiving iPad
5. Open the file on the new device to import

AirDrop from Proloquo2Go

Export and AirDrop

• Tap Settings
• Select Backup
• Tap Back Up Username Now
• Tap Export Back Up
• Select the most recent backup and tap Export
• Tap Share → AirDrop
• Select the receiving device

• Tap on 'Export' next to the latest backup (most recent is at the top) or the backup that you want to transfer
• Tap on 'Share'

Import

• Go to Settings → Backup
• Tap Restore from Backup
• Select Browse All Files
• Locate the file (.p2gbk)
• Tap to import Choose an existing or new user profile
• You can also open the file directly from the Files app

AirDrop from Proloquo

Export and AirDrop

• Tap the ellipsis (three dots)
• Select Settings
• Tap Personal Information
• Tap Export Customisation
• Tap AirDrop
• Select the receiving device

Import

• Locate the file in the Files app
• Tap Share
• Select Proloquo
• Proloquo will open with a message that the current customisation will be replaced
• Tap Continue

AirDrop from TD Snap

TD Snap cannot AirDrop directly from within the app. Instead, the page set must first be saved to the device.

Export

• Go to Settings → Page Set
• Tap the page set name
• Tap the Save icon
• Select Save a copy to a local file
• Rename the file Tap Next → Done

AirDrop

• Open the Files app
• Navigate to: On My iPad → TD Snap → ExportedPackages
• Locate the .sps file
• Tap Share → AirDrop
• Select the receiving device

Import

• Go to Settings → Page Set
• Tap Create Page Set
• Select Local Files
• Choose the transferred file
• Tap Next → Create

You will now see the page set in the list of pagesets for that user.

AirDrop from Grid for iPad

Export and AirDrop

• Open grid set
• Go to Settings → Edit Grids → Export grid set
• Tap AirDrop

Import

1. Open Grid Explorer
2. Tap ellipsis → Settings → Add grid set
3. Select Browse for grid sets
4. Tap Browse
5. Locate the .gridsetx file
6. Tap to import

Note: There is the option to open the gridset directly from the Files app however in my experience this fails to upload the gridset to the Grid app. Uploading directly within the Grid for iPad app is more reliable.

• Navigate to Browse for grid sets
• Then tap on Browse

Tap the folder name and then the file that you want to import. It will end in .gridsetx

The grid set will now appear in Grid Explorer.

AirDrop from TouchChat with WordPower & LAMP Words for Life

These steps apply to both WordPower and LAMP Words for Life, as both run on the PRC-Saltillo platform and use the same export and sharing process.

Export and AirDrop

1. Tap Vocab → Choose New Vocab
2. Tap Menu → Import/Export Vocab
3. Tap Export and Share
4. Select the vocabulary
5. Rename if needed
6. Tap AirDrop

Import

You can go through the same process to import however the quicker way to import is to find the file on the other iPad and open it.

1. Locate the file in Files app
2. Hold down the file so the secondary menu pops up
3. Tap Open with and tap TouchChatWP for TouchChat or WFL DS for LAMP
4. Tap Yes to import
5. Rename if needed
6. Tap Save

AirDrop from GoTalk Now

Export and AirDrop

1. Tap the book name (edit mode)
2. Tap Share icon
3. Select Share Compressed Book Tap AirDrop

Import

1. Open the .gtbz file in Files
2. Tap Share → GoTalk Now
3. Rename if needed
4. Tap Create

AirDrop from Pictello

Export and AirDrop

1. Tap Edit Select the story
2. Tap Share → Share as Pictello Story
3. Tap AirDrop

Import

1. Open file in Files app
2. Tap Share → Pictello Story will open in the app

When the file opens, tap on the Share icon

AirDrop from Avaz

Export and AirDrop

1. Tap Menu → Settings → Backup & Restore
2. Select Create new backup
3. Rename if needed Tap Ok
4. The file is saved in Your Backups
5. Tap on the file name
6. Share → AirDrop

Import

• Tap the file in Files app
• It opens in Avaz
• Go to Backup & Restore → Backups
• Select file → Replace vocabulary

You will see a message stating that the current vocabulary will be replaced with the selected vocabulary (you can always backup the current vocabulary first if you like). Then tap on Replace.

Your new vocabulary file is ready to use!

💡 Helpful tip

Always rename backup files with the client’s name and date before AirDropping.
This makes them much easier to identify later.

FAQ

How do I transfer AAC pagesets between iPads?

Export the page set from the AAC app, share it via AirDrop, and import it on the receiving device.

Can you AirDrop Proloquo2Go backups?

Yes, Proloquo2Go allows you to export backup files (.p2gbk) and send them via AirDrop.

Is AirDrop better than cloud backup for AAC?

AirDrop is faster for in-person transfers, while cloud backup is better for long-term storage.

What is the fastest way to transfer AAC vocabulary?

AirDrop is typically the quickest and most reliable method, especially during therapy sessions.

Final tip for speech pathologists

If you’re working with a client trialling an AAC device, it’s a good habit to AirDrop a copy of the customised page set to your own iPad before the trial ends.

This ensures you have a backup of the work you’ve done and makes it much easier to support the client if they transition to their own device later.

Small steps like this can save significant time and help maintain consistency in a client’s communication system.

Need help?

If you have questions about AAC device trials, transferring pagesets, or setting up devices, feel free to contact KimTech Communication Assistive Technology—I’m always happy to help.