How to Use an iPad With QuickBooks

Sync QuickBooks data from your desktop to your iPad.

Intuit, the maker of QuickBooks, created a free iPad app called QuickBooks Mobile to use with your registered version of QuickBooks. The mobile app will automatically synchronize with QuickBooks Online. If you use QuickBooks Pro, Premier or Enterprise you can purchase a mobile subscription for real-time synchronization. You can also sync your data manually when you plug the iPad into your computer. The mobile app will synchronize customer data, estimates, invoices and sales receipts with your online or desktop accounts.

Instructions

1. Tap the App Store icon on your iPad and select "Search" to find the QuickBooks Mobile app.

2. Type "QuickBooks" into the search field, then tap "Intuit QuickBooks Mobile."

3. Touch the button labeled "Free," then "Install" to begin the download. You may need to enter your Apple ID password.

4. Launch QuickBooks Mobile on your iPad.

5. Enter your QuickBooks Online or mobile subscription username and password. Alternately, plug your iPad into your computer and double-click the Intuit Sync Manager icon next to your system clock.

6. Go to "Options," then "Automatic Sync" and set a sync frequency that works for you. Click "Save" and QuickBooks will sync with your iPad at the interval you set. Plug your iPad in when it's time to sync.

7. Tap "Customers", "Estimates", "Invoices" or "Sales Receipts" on your iPad to view or edit your QuickBooks data. A plus sign icon for adding new data and an "Edit" or "Details" button appear on each screen.

8. Select the plus sign or "Edit" to add or change data. Enter in your changes when the keyboard appears. If you're using QuickBooks online or a mobile subscription, your data syncs instantly. Otherwise, data is saved on your next manual sync.

Tips & Warnings

• The QuickBooks Mobile interface is optimized for the small screen size of the iPhone or iPod Touch. To increase the display size on an iPad, double-tap the screen to enlarge the iPad display.

• QuickBooks Mobile is not compatible with QuickBooks for Mac.

References

• Intuit QuickBooks Support: QuickBooks Mobile FAQ
• iTunes Preview: QuickBooks Mobile