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Transferring simulations to the iPad Player (from Windows or Mac)

How to copy Fire Studio simulations from a Windows PC or a Mac to the Fire Studio Player app on an iPad.

Written by Rich Merritt

Overview

You can copy Fire Studio simulations from your computer to the Fire Studio Player app on an iPad with a USB cable. You don't need iCloud, an Apple ID sign-in, or account syncing. The computer is only used to copy files.

  • Windows: use Apple's Apple Devices app (it replaces iTunes on Windows). Short video: Windows to iPad Sim Transfer

  • Mac: use Finder (macOS Catalina or newer).

The iPad app is a Player Edition. It plays simulations; you can't edit layers on the iPad.

What you need

  • Your computer, and an iPad with the Fire Studio Player app installed

  • A USB-C or Lightning cable that fits your iPad

  • Your simulation files:

    • Exported simulations: both the .dcs file and its matching .lbr file

    • Published simulations: the single .dcx file

    • Any video files the simulation uses

From a Windows PC (Apple Devices app)

  1. Install Apple Devices from the Microsoft Store and open it.

  2. Connect the iPad with the USB cable.

  3. Approve the trust prompts: click Trust on the PC, then tap Trust on the iPad and enter the iPad passcode if asked.

  4. In Apple Devices, select the iPad and open Files. Find the Fire Studio Player app in the list.

  5. Drag your simulation files (see "What you need") into the Fire Studio Player area.

  6. Wait for the copy to finish before you unplug the iPad. Large simulations and videos can take several minutes.

From a Mac (Finder)

  1. Connect the iPad with the USB cable. If the iPad asks, tap Trust This Computer and enter the passcode.

  2. Open a Finder window and click the iPad under Locations in the sidebar.

  3. Click the Files tab (it may take a moment to load).

  4. Find the Fire Studio app and click the arrow next to it to see the simulations already there.

  5. Drag your simulation files onto the Fire Studio app name or its file list.

  6. Open Fire Studio on the iPad. The new simulation appears in the list.

Keep the files together

  • For exported simulations, always copy the .dcs and .lbr files together. Don't rename one without the other. A missing background on the iPad usually means the .lbr file wasn't copied.

  • Copy any video files the simulation uses to the same place.

  • Videos: simulations made on Windows often use .avi videos. The iPad works much better with .mp4, so use MP4 for simulations you'll play on Mac or iPad.

Troubleshooting

The iPad doesn't show up: unlock the iPad, try another cable or USB port, and restart the Apple Devices app (Windows) or Finder window (Mac) and the iPad.

Fire Studio doesn't appear under Files: make sure the app is installed on the iPad and that you tapped Trust. On a Mac, select the iPad under Locations, not Network.

Files copied but don't show in Fire Studio: check that every file was copied (both .dcs and .lbr, plus videos), that nothing was renamed, and that the copy finished before you unplugged.

Department-managed iPads (Intune, Jamf or another MDM): your IT team may block USB trust or file sharing. Signs include no Trust prompt, Fire Studio missing from Files, or drag-and-drop not working. Ask IT to allow USB connections, device trust and file sharing (in Intune this is often the "Allow iTunes File Sharing" setting), then reconnect the iPad and approve the Trust prompts again. See also our MDM / Intune Compatibility Notice.

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