Easiest Ways to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Computer—PC or Mac

If you want to get photos from your iPhone to a Windows PC or to a Mac, you have lots of options. And the process is not as complex as you might think! This article covers three easy methods that anyone can use to transfer photos between Apple devices and from iPhone to PC (including the solution that Microsoft doesn't advertise).

Jump To:

• How to Use Windows Photos Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC
• How to Use iCloud to Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC or Mac
• How to Use AirDrop to Transfer Any Image from iPhone to Mac
• FAQ

How to Use Windows Photos to Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC

Using the Photos app on Windows is supposed to be the best way to download photos from your iPhone to your PC, although some might argue downloading them from the cloud to your computer is easier. Either way, unlike some other methods, uploading photos from your iPhone to your computer using a cable and the Windows Photos app is free.

1. Connect your iPhone to your PC with a USB or USB-C cable, depending on your model.
2. Unlock your iPhone.
3. On your PC, click the Start button.
   
   
4. Tap Trust under Trust This Computer on your iPhone. You may also be asked to enter your device passcode.
   
   
5. Click Import.
   
   
6. Select Apple iPhone.
   
   
7. Select the items you want to import. If you want to import specific photos/videos, click the ones you want. You can also click Select all to import all the photos on your iPhone or click Select new to only import new photos.
   
   
8. Click Add X Item(s) to import your selected photos.
   
   
9. Choose where to save them, and click Import. It may take a few moments for the photos to save.
   
   

There you have it. If you're finding transferring photos from iPhone to PC troublesome for any reason, I recommend using iCloud Photos, which I cover below.

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How to Use iCloud to Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC or Mac

Psst. Here's the secret you'll never hear from Microsoft: you can use iCloud Photos to securely store and access your iPhone photos, even with a PC. As an iPhone user, you will already have an Apple Account, which includes access to iCloud. Plus, the process for transferring photos from iPhone to computer via iCloud is even easier than using Windows Photos. If you have a Mac or you want to transfer your iPhone photos to your PC without a cable, this method is for you.

First, both Mac and PC users will need to follow the steps below to make sure their photos are accessible on iCloud:

1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap your profile at the top.
   
   
2. Tap iCloud.
   
   
3. Make sure Photos appears under Saved to iCloud.
   
   
4. If Photos is not there, tap Saved to iCloud then tap iCloud Photos.
   
   
5. Toggle Sync this iPhone on.
   
   
6. If iCloud sync wasn’t enabled, it may take some time for all your photos to be viewable via iCloud on your computer. You may also need to pay to increase your iCloud storage; your iPhone will notify you if that’s the case.
7. Mac users: You will need to repeat this process on your computer, just open System Settings instead of the Settings app. Once photo syncing is enabled on both devices, you can access your entire photo library on either of them.
   
   
8. PC Users: You will need to download iCloud for Windows or log in to your Apple Account on iCloud.com on your computer to view and access your photos. You can then download them to your PC if you wish. The downside to accessing iCloud on the web instead of using the iCloud for Windows app is you can only download up to1,000 photos at a time from iCloud.com to your PC. The app does not appear to have the same limit.

How to Use AirDrop to Transfer Any Image from iPhone to Mac

AirDrop is ideal for transferring images (and other files!) to your Mac from other apps besides your Photos app. It’s also a good option for transferring photos to your computer if you don’t have iCloud photo syncing enabled or your photo library isn’t syncing fast enough for you.

1. Open the app you want to transfer photos or other image files from on your iPhone. In this example I’m using the Files app.
   
   
2. Select the image you want to transfer to your Mac (it may open in your Preview app) then tap the Share icon.
   
   
3. Select AirDrop in the Share menu.
   
   
4. Choose your computer from the list of devices.
   
   
5. If successful, it will say Sent below your computer's icon.
   
   
6. Tap the X icon in the upper-right corner to leave the AirDrop screen.
   
   

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