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6 Easy Ways to Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC or Mac (2022)

Learn how to get photos off iPhone and onto a computer without the frustration!

By Cullen Thomas Updated 04/26/2022

If you’re wanting to know how to transfer photos from iPhone to PC or Mac, you have lots of options. There are more ways to move photos from iPhone to Mac simply because they're both Apple devices, but the transfer of iPhone photos to PC is not as complex as you might think. We'll show you how to get photos off iPhone and onto a computer easily!

How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Computer (Mac)
- How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Mac in MacOS Catalina & Later
- How To Import Photos from iPhone to Mac in MacOS Mojave
How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC
How to Import Photos from iPhone to PC (Alternative Method)
How to Import Photos from iPhone to Mac with iCloud Photo Stream
How to Download Pictures from iPhone to Computer with iCloud Photos
How to Import Photos Using AirDrop on Mac

How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Computer (Mac)

The classic way to transfer photos from iPhone to Mac is to use the photo transfer feature in the Photos app that both Mac and PC offer. It's important to note that the import Photos from iPhone to Mac process has changed a little since MacOS Catalina, Big Sur,and soon macOS Monterey, so if you're using a newer operating system you'll want to use the method shown next. If you use Mojave or earlier, you can skip to the next section.

How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Mac in MacOS Catalina & Later

Connect your iPhone to your Mac with the USB cable and unlock your iPhone.
Open the Photos app on your Mac. You can find it with Spotlight search, in your Dock, or by opening the Applications folder and selecting the Photos app.
Your iPhone should already be selected in the browser on the left of the Photos page. If it isn't, then select your iPhone.
Select the photos you wish to import by clicking on them.
Click the Import button at the top.

That's it; Finder has made this process easy! If you'd rather move photos from iPhone to Mac without a USB cable, you can also learn how to transfer photos from iPhone to Mac using AirDrop or iCloud Photo Stream. These methods are especially helpful if you own a MacBook that doesn't have USB-A ports built in!

How To Import Photos from iPhone to Mac in MacOS Mojave

This method will help you transfer iPhone photos to a Mac or MacBook if you use the macOS Mojave operating system. If your device is compatible with the newest macOS version, we always recommend keeping your device updated! This ensures that bug fixes, privacy updates, and new features are always available to you.

Connect your iPhone to your computer with the USB cable.
Open the Photos app on your Mac. You can find it with Spotlight search, in your Dock, or by opening the Applications folder and selecting the Photos app.
Select File from the top menu, then select Import.
You can download select photos by holding down the command key (cmd) on your keyboard while clicking all the photos you want to transfer, then click Review for Import.
If you've already imported some or all of your selected photos, your Mac will let you know and then give you the option to import the remaining photo(s) by clicking Import New Photo.
If you'd rather import all the photos on your iPhone that you haven't previously backed up, click Import All New Items.
To view the recently imported photos, select Last Import on the sidebar.

And you’re done! If you'd rather transfer iPhone photos to Mac without a USB cable, you can also learn how to import photos from iPhone to MacBook or Mac using AirDrop or iCloud Photo Stream. These methods are especially helpful if you own a MacBook that doesn't have USB-A ports built in!

How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC

How to Upload Photos from iPhone to Computer in Windows 8

If you have a PC with an older version of Windows, Auto Play will pop up when your iPhone is connected to your computer with a USB cable. On a PC with Windows 8, your computer will detect the device and provide a pop-up that says "Tap to choose what happens to this device." When you click on that pop-up, you’ll see the Import Photos and Videos option to allow you to move photos and videos from iPhone to PC. The rest of the process should be pretty similar to what is demonstrated below for Windows 10. When in doubt, look for the Import button!

How to Import Photos from iPhone to PC in Windows 10

Below we'll show you how to transfer selected photos from iPhone to PC, or all photos.

Plug your iPhone into your Windows computer with the USB cable.
On your iPhone, a pop-up will ask if you would like to allow the computer to access the iPhone. Tap Allow.
On your Windows computer, the Photos application may automatically launch. If it doesn't, launch the Photos program using the Windows Start menu or search bar.
Click the Import button in the upper-right corner of the Photos app.
In the drop-down menu, select From a USB device.
If you have multiple USB devices plugged in to your PC, such as a thumb drive, you'll be asked to select which one you want to import from. Select your iPhone.
The computer will search for photos to import, then a box with the new photos for transfer will pop-up. If the Photos application crashes here, you may have a common bug. Try the alternate method listed in the next section.
Select the photos you want to import.
To see where the photos will be saved and to change that location, click settings, represented by a gear icon.
In the import settings menu, you will see the location where the photos will be saved plus a Change the import destination link in case you want to change where imported iPhone photos are saved to your PC.
Click Done to go back to the image-selection screen.
Once you've selected the images you want, click the Import button.
Once they're imported, you can view the photos in the Collections menu of the Photos app or select the Album icon on the left sidebar to view specific albums.

How to Transfer Pictures from iPhone to Computer with a Cable (Alternative Method)

Some users encounter bugs with the built-in Windows Photos application. If you can't get it to work and need another solution, try this.

Plug your iPhone into your Windows computer with the cable, unlock the iPhone, and tap Allow, as above.
On your Windows computer navigate to This PC. You should see your iPhone listed under Devices and Drives.
Right-click on your iPhone and in the context menu select Import pictures and videos.
You can either import all new items, or click Review to organize and group items to import. I recommend selecting Review because the automatic organization may not be ideal.
The More options link at the bottom offers options to change where the files are saved, but for most users the default Pictures folder is fine.
Click Next and the computer will scan your iPhone for images and videos.
In the following window, select the items you wish to import.
A slider at the bottom of the menu changes how the images are grouped into folders, e.g. by hour, by hours, by day, by month, or by year taken. You can slide it all the way to the right to save them all in one folder.
Click Import when you're ready to transfer images.

Next, we’re going to delve into the two different ways to import pictures from iPhone to Mac with iCloud: Photo Stream and iCloud Photo Library. There are some important distinctions between the two that we’ll go over; my best recommendation is to enable both.

How to Import Photos from iPhone to MacBook or Mac with iCloud Photo Stream

Photo Stream does not take up any of your iCloud Storage package. However, photos will appear in Photo Stream for only 30 days (we share a solution to this below). Photo Stream also doesn't upload your videos, but you can view your pictures across your devices easily. For both methods, Photos will automatically transfer when your device is connected to Wi-Fi unless you have enabled the option to transfer over cellular data. To set up Photo Stream, you’ll need to enable it on both your iPhone (or iPad) and your Mac.

On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
Tap your Apple ID profile at the top of the screen.
Tap iCloud.
Choose Photos.
Toggle on My Photo Stream.
On your Mac, open the Photos app. If you’re on a PC, download iCloud for Windows before you continue.
From the Photos menu choose Preferences.
Choose the iCloud tab.
Check the box next to My Photo Stream. Click Done.
Note: In MacOS Mojave and earlier the same setting is found in System Preferences > iCloud > the Options button next to Photos.
Now photos will automatically be added to Photo Stream when you’re in a Wi-Fi zone. But remember, pictures remain in Photo Stream for 30 days or up to 1000 images.

If you experience any issues with your photos iCloud upload, check out these troubleshooting tips.

How to Set Photo Stream Images to Automatically Download to Mac or PC

In MacOS Catalina you don't have to do anything special. The Photos app on your Mac automatically saves your Photo Stream to your photo library.

In MacOS Mojave or earlier, follow these steps:

Open the Photos app.
Select Preferences at the very top, under Photos.
Choose General.
Check the box next to Importing: Copy Items to the Photo Library.

This way, even once photos leave your Photo Stream, they will be saved to your computer. You can also enable iCloud Photo Library on iPhone and computer if you pay for iCloud storage. Doing so will allow you to store your Photos in the Cloud, making them accessible online as well as on your computer.

How to Download Pictures from iPhone to Computer with iCloud Photos (Also Works on iPad)

The process for setting up iCloud Photos is similar to Photo Stream. Enabling iCloud Photos will store all of your photos in your iCloud account, not merely the most recent. This can rapidly use up your iCloud storage space unless you pay Apple for more. On the other hand, your photos from your computer and your iPhone will all be safely backed up in the cloud, and the process for how to transfer photos from iPhone to computer will be practically effortless, since iCloud will keep the two libraries in perfect sync.

On your iPhone:

Open the Settings app.
Select your Apple ID profile at the top.
Tap iCloud.
Choose Photos.
Toggle on iCloud Photos.

On your Mac:

Open System Preferences from the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
Choose Apple ID and sign in.
In the menu on the left, iCloud should already be selected. If it's not, click it.
Check the box next to Photos and enter your computer passcode if asked.
Now all the photos you take on your iPhone, and all the photos you add on your computer, will show up in both places. Keep an eye on your iCloud storage!

How to Download Photos from iPhone to Mac with AirDrop

AirDrop uses Wi-Fi to transfer files from iPhone to Mac and vice versa (and can be used for other files as well), which means first you need to be sure both your iPhone or iPad and computer are connected to Wi-Fi. Remember that AirDrop also requires a 2012 or later Mac model running OS X Yosemite or later to transfer photos from iPhone to Mac. To use AirDrop to export photos from iPhone:

Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
Select the photos you want to transfer to the computer, then tap the Share icon.
Select AirDrop in the Share menu.
Choose your computer.
If successful, it will say Sent below your computer's icon.
Tap Done in the upper-right corner to leave the AirDrop screen.
If your computer is not using the same iCloud account as the iPhone you are sending files from, you will need to click Save when the file arrives on your computer. If you are using the same iCloud account, the pictures will automatically save.

Need more methods to download pictures to a computer? Here's three more you can use to transfer photos from iPhone to computer. Also, get organized with our article on how to edit the Launchpad on your Mac.

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How to Get Text Messages & iMessages on Mac

Learn how to receive iMessages on MacBook or iMac in a few simple steps.

By Conner Carey Updated 04/26/2022

It can be extremely convenient to be able to access iPhone messages on your Mac so you never have to miss a text while you're busy on the computer. Read through this tip to learn how to receive text messages on Mac, how to get SMS messages on Mac, and how to turn on iMessage on your Mac.

Why You'll Love This Tip

Never miss a text again by connecting your text messages to your Mac.
Learn how to receive both iMessage and SMS messages on your Mac.

Access iPhone Messages on Mac

Sign into iCloud on iPhone & Mac

To receive text messages on a Mac from your iPhone, log into iCloud using the same Apple ID on both devices. You may very well already be logged into iCloud on both devices, but let’s check just in case.

On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
Tap your Apple ID at the top.
Verify which email address your are signed in with.
On your Mac, open System Preferences.
Click Apple ID.
You can verify which email address you are using on the side navigation.

Log into Messages on Mac

Now you need to make sure you’re logged in to Messages on Mac. To do this:

Open the Messages app on your Mac.
Sign in with the same Apple ID you used above.
Click Messages at the very top of the screen.
Select Preferences.
From here, click iMessage at the top.
Check the numbers and/or email addresses at which you'd like to be reached.

Get SMS Messages on Mac

With the steps above done, you should be able to receive iMessages on your Mac. But what about text messages from your Android-using friends? Now we need to get your iPhone ready to send and receive text messages on Mac. To do this, we must set up text message forwarding on your iPhone. To do this:

On your phone, open Settings.
Scroll down and select Messages.
Scroll to select Text Message Forwarding.
If you see Text Message Forwarding, skip to step 8. If you don't see this option, scroll back up and toggle iMessage off.
Now toggle it back on and tap Send & Receive.
Tap Use your Apple ID for iMessage.
Tap Sign In on the popup asking if you'd like to use your Apple ID for iMessage.
Tap Messages to go back to Settings. You should now see an option for Text Message Forwarding.
Choose the devices you'd like to forward regular messages to. They will be green when toggled on.

*Troubleshooting Tip: You must be logged into Messages on Mac to see the option for Text Message Forwarding.

Now you’re set up to send and receive text messages and iMessages on your Mac! If you decide you don’t want to receive them anymore, we’ve got an article on that too. Get organized with our article on how to edit the Launchpad on your Mac. And for even more cool ways to use your Apple devices, be sure to sign up for our Tip of the Day!

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What MacBook Do I Have? How to Identify Your MacBook Model & Year

Apple makes MacBook model and serial number lookup fairly simple. Here's how to do it, plus a guided tour through the years of MacBook development, including Air and Pro models.

By Erin MacPherson Updated 11/04/2021

Do you have your eye on a new MacBook, but you want to be sure which model you have before you upgrade? Maybe you want to make sure your MacBook will be compatible with certain software updates, or you just need your MacBook serial number to use when chatting with Apple Support. We'll walk you through several quick ways to find out which MacBook model you have.

How to Know What MacBook You Have

There are quite a few ways to identify which MacBook you have, but many of them aren't as simple. We've collected a few of our favorite ways to quickly identify which MacBook you have, plus some information to help those who may not be able to identify their Mac via one of the simpler methods.

If you have your MacBook with you, use About This Mac to identify your Mac's model type, year, serial number, and more.

If you don't have your MacBook with you, you can also use your iPhone if both your phone and your Mac are connected to your Apple ID account.

If you know your MacBook's serial number (from your purchase receipt or some other way), you can use Apple's Check Coverage page to find the MacBook model and other information.

If you don't have success in other ways or you simply want to know more about the characteristics of your MacBook, skip to the end to read about the different MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models.

How to Use About This Mac to Identify Your MacBook

If you have your Mac with you, this is by far the fastest and simplest option for finding out which MacBook you have. Here's how to use About This Mac:

On your MacBook, click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
Click on About This Mac.
Here you'll see several pieces of information, including which software version you're running, which MacBook model and year you have, and a few other details. You'll also find your Serial Number located in this window.
Some users may see a window that looks like this instead. If that's the case, you'll still see the other information displayed, but you'll need to double-click the software version number directly beneath the bold software title in order to see your serial number.

Image courtesy of Apple

This should help most MacBook users identify their MacBook model straight away, without any further effort. If this doesn't work for you, or you don't have access to your MacBook, try using your iPhone to look up which MacBook model you have.

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How to Use Your iPhone to Identify Your MacBook Model

When your MacBook was set up, you probably connected it to your Apple ID. If so, your iCloud-connected iPhone should recognize it as a paired device. Here's how to look up your MacBook model and serial number on your iPhone if the two devices have been paired:

On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
Tap on your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
Scroll down to the list of devices at the bottom, and select your MacBook.
On the next screen, you'll a Device Info section that contains your MacBook's model, software version, and serial number information.

If you don't see your MacBook connected to your iPhone and you are able to use your MacBook, try the About This Mac tip before moving on to the next option, as it will be faster and is the most accurate way to know what MacBook model you have.

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Use Apple’s Check Coverage Page to Learn What MacBook Model You Have

If you don't have access to your MacBook or you can't get it to power on, you can find its serial number by checking the underside of the MacBook itself. Your serial number will be within the couple of lines of very fine print near the regulatory symbols.

Pro tip: If you can't read the text and don't have a magnifying glass handy, use the iPhone magnifier in the Control Center or use your iPhone Camera to take a photo of the text, then zoom in on the photo to read it more easily. Once you have the serial number, you can visit Apple's Check Coverage Page and enter that number to be shown the details about your MacBook.

You'll see your MacBook model and serial number, plus what coverage you have available

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MacBook Years, Models & Specs

All MacBook models (except MacBook Pros from 2012–2015) have "MacBook," "MacBook Pro," or "MacBook Air" printed on the bottom edge of the screen. If that printing is still intact, it's a great way to know right away what kind of MacBook you have. Beyond that, identification can be a little more challenging, especially if you don't remember the year you bought your computer. This list can help, or you can use the About This Mac method to get the details of your specific MacBook.

All tech specs courtesy of Apple.com

MacBook Models & Years

This information is enough for most users, but for user guides and part numbers, you'll need to reference Apple's MacBook page.

2017 MacBook

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook (12-inch)

Colors: Rose gold, space gray, gold, silver
Color note: Starting in 2018, this particular MacBook had a change in color availability. Apple eliminated the "rose gold" and "gold" colors that had been available and replaced them with a warm, orange-pink version that they simply call "gold," but that looks like a mix between copper and rose gold.
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2015 can run the latest macOS

2016 MacBook

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook (12-inch)

Colors: Rose gold, space gray, gold, silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2015 can run the latest macOS

2015 MacBook

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook (12-inch)

Colors: Space gray, gold, silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2015 can run the latest macOS

2010 MacBook

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook (13-inch)

Color: White
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

2009 MacBook

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009)

Color: White
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

MacBook (13-inch, Early & Mid 2009)

Color: White
Software Compatibility: Up to OS X El Capitan 10.11.6

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MacBook Pro Models & Years

This information is enough for most users, but for user guides and part numbers, you'll need to reference Apple's MacBook Pro page.

2020 MacBook Pro

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1 Chip)

Colors: Space gray, silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Two & Four Thunderbolt Ports)

Colors: Space gray, silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

2019 MacBook Pro

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (16-inch)

Colors: Space gray, silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (15-inch)

Colors: Space gray, silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Two & Four Thunderbolt Ports)

Colors: Space gray, silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

2018 MacBook Pro

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (15-inch)

Colors: Space gray, silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

MacBook Pro (13-inch)

Colors: Space gray, silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

2017 MacBook Pro

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (15-inch)

Colors: Space gray, silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Two & Four Thunderbolt Ports)

Colors: Space gray, silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

2016 MacBook Pro

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (15-inch)

Colors: Space gray, silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Two & Four Thunderbolt Ports)

Colors: Space gray, silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

2015 MacBook Pro

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (15-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

MacBook Pro (13-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

2014 MacBook Pro

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (15-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

MacBook Pro (13-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

2013 MacBook Pro

Note: there were two releases for MacBook Pros this year, each of which featured both a 13-inch model and a 15-inch model. The late 2013 release models (one 15-inch model and one 13-inch model) will be able to run the latest macOS, but the 13-inch and 15-inch models released in early 2013 will not.

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2013)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2013)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since late 2013 can run the latest macOS

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2013)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS Catalina 10.15.7

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2013)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS Catalina 10.15.7

2012 MacBook Pro

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2012)

This MacBook Pro includes a Retina display, which differentiates it from the early 2012 13-inch MacBook Pro. This model is also significantly thinner than the earlier model.

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS Catalina 10.15.7

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012)

This MacBook Pro includes a Retina display, which differentiates it from the other 2012 15-inch MacBook Pro. This model is also significantly thinner than its counterpart.

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS Catalina 10.15.7

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS Catalina 10.15.7

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS Catalina 10.15.7

2011 MacBook Pro

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (17-inch)

Two of these models were released this year, one was released in early 2011 and the other in late 2011. There are very few differences, but a notable one is that the later model came with a 2.4 GHz dual-core Intel processor, and the earlier model had a 2.2GHz dual-core Intel processor.
Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

MacBook Pro (15-inch)

Two of these models were released this year, one was released in early 2011 and the other in late 2011. There are very few differences, but a notable one is that the later model came with either a 2.2GHz or 2.4 GHz dual-core Intel processor, and the earlier model had either a 2.3GHz or 2.7GHz dual-core Intel processor.
Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

MacBook Pro (13-inch)

Two of these models were released this year, one was released in early 2011 and the other in late 2011. There are very few differences, but a notable one is that the later model came with either a 2.4GHz or 2.8 GHz dual-core Intel processor, and the earlier model had either a 2.3GHz or 2.7GHz dual-core Intel processor.
Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

2010 MacBook Pro

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (17-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

MacBook Pro (15-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

MacBook Pro (13-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

2009 MacBook Pro

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (17-inch)

Two of these models were released this year, one was released in the middle of 2009 and the other in late 2009. There are very few differences, but a notable one is that the later model came with a 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, and the earlier model came with a 2.4GHz, 2.53GHz, or 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor.
Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to OS X El Capitan 10.11.6

MacBook Pro (15-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to OS X El Capitan 10.11.6

MacBook Pro (13-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to OS X El Capitan 10.11.6

2008 MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro (17-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to OS X El Capitan 10.11.6

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pro (15-inch)

Two of these models were released this year, one was released in early 2008 and the other in late 2008. The most notable difference is that the earlier model had a front slot-load DVD drive, and the later model does not.
Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to OS X El Capitan 10.11.6

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MacBook Air Models & Years

This information is enough for most users, but for user guides and part numbers, you'll need to reference Apple's MacBook Air page.

2020 MacBook Air

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Air (13-inch, M1 Chip)

Colors: Gold, space gray, silver (note that the gold color is more of a rose gold)
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2013 can run the latest macOS

MacBook Air (13-inch)

Colors: Gold, space gray, silver (note that the gold color is more of a rose gold)
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2013 can run the latest macOS

2019 MacBook Air

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Air (13-inch)

Colors: Gold, space gray, silver (note that the gold color is more of a rose gold)
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2013 can run the latest macOS

2018 MacBook Air

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Air (13-inch)

Colors: Gold, space gray, silver (note that the gold color is more of a rose gold)
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2013 can run the latest macOS

2017 MacBook Air

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Air (13-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2013 can run the latest macOS

2015 MacBook Air

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Air (13-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2013 can run the latest macOS

MacBook Air (11-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2013 can run the latest macOS

2014 MacBook Air

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Air (13-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2013 can run the latest macOS

MacBook Air (11-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2013 can run the latest macOS

2013 MacBook Air

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Air (13-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2013 can run the latest macOS

MacBook Air (11-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: This and all models since 2013 can run the latest macOS

2012 MacBook Air

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Air (13-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS Catalina 10.15.7

MacBook Air (11-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS Catalina 10.15.7

2011 MacBook Air

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Air (13-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

MacBook Air (11-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

2010 MacBook Air

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Air (13-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

MacBook Air (11-inch)

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

2009 MacBook Air

Image courtesy of Apple

MacBook Air

Colors: Silver
Software Compatibility: Up to OS X El Capitan 10.11.6

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How-To

Mac

How to Sync Chrome & Use Your iPhone to See the Chrome Tabs Open on Your Mac

By Hallei Halter Updated 01/12/2022

Ever leave a Chrome tab open at home before work, and then want to find it again later from your iPhone? If you've ever wondered, "how do I open my tabs in Chrome on another device?" then you're in luck. The Google Chrome iPhone app lets you see the tabs you left open on your computer and open them on your iPhone. Just enable Chrome Sync in the Chrome settings menu, then tap the tabs icon at the bottom of your Chrome browser, and you'll find a desktop icon on your tabs list that will show you all the tabs open on other devices. Being able to switch from your Mac to your iPhone with minimal effort is a huge advantage. Here's how to view your computer's open Chrome tabs, Chrome bookmarks, and more on your iPhone.

How to Enable Chrome Sync between Your iPhone & Mac

Be sure that you are signed in to your Google account in the Chrome browser on your computer before trying to sync with your other devices.
Once you're signed in, tap your profile icon at the upper-right corner of your browser window.
Tap Turn on sync.
Tap Yes I'm In to sync all Chrome data from your computer, or Settings to choose what you'd like to sync.
Open the iOS Chrome app.
Sign in to the Chrome app with the same Google Account username and password (your Gmail login) that you used to sign in on your computer.
If this is the first time you've signed into the Chrome app, you'll have the opportunity to tap Yes, I'm In to sync your passwords, history, and more on all devices where you're signed in with the same username and password.
If you don't want to sync all your passwords and data, tap the More tab (the three dots) at the bottom right.
Tap Settings.
Tap Sync and Google Services.
Toggle on Sync Your Chrome Data.
Tap Manage Sync.
Under Data Types, toggle on Sync Everything, so all your information is available.
If you want only certain things to be synced, toggle off Sync Everything and toggle on only what you want to have available.

How to Open the Same Chrome Tabs on Your iPhone & Mac

Now that you've enabled Chrome sync between your iPhone and Mac, you can easily switch devices and still access all your Chrome information. Here's how:

Open the Chrome app and tap the Tabs icon on the bottom right.
Tap the Desktop icon at the top.
You'll see your Recently Closed URLs and the Mac you're signed in on that are synced.
Tap the arrow to the right of Recently Closed and Show Full History appears.
Tap Show Full History to see your Chrome browser history on your synced devices.
You can delete your browsing history by tapping Clear Browsing Data, or tap Edit and delete individual URLs.
To see the browser history from your synced Mac, tap the arrow to the right of its name.
Tap a web page to open it, or tap Done to go back.

Now you can seamlessly use your iPhone to open the tabs you left open on your laptop! If you're considering trying out a new browser, reach this Safari vs. Chrome article to see if Safari is a better fit for your needs!

Check out our free Tip of the Day for more Apple Device tutorials.

Top image credit: Rocketclips, Inc. / Shutterstock.com

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How to Sync Messages from iPhone to Mac (2022 Update)

Is iMessage not working on your Mac or iPad? Here's how to sync messages from iPhone to iPad, and from iPhone to Mac, so you can get your texts on all your Apple devices.

By Conner Carey Updated 03/30/2022

Here's how to set up Apple's Messages app on an iPhone, Mac, and iPad. Once you've done this, you can view text messages sent and received from all the Apple devices you've synced. Let's start learning how to connect iPhone to Mac and iPad to get iMessage on Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

iMessage Not Working? How to Sync Messages from iPhone to Mac & iPhone to iPad

I recently wrote an article about how to get messages on Mac, but when I was doing my research, many readers were asking about iMessage not syncing on Mac. Many users have trouble figuring out how to sync messages from iPhone to Mac, which is different from learning how to forward a text to your Mac or iPad.

When iMessage isn’t syncing between your devices, it’s usually a communication issue in Apple’s Continuity feature. This problem can be fixed by making sure your iPhone, iPad, and Mac have all enabled your phone number and emails as ways to send and receive messages. Setting that up, as well as making sure all your devices are using the same Apple ID, will allow you to sync text messages from iPhone to iPad and from iPhone to Mac. For more great tutorials about Apple's Messages app, check out our free Tip of the Day.

Prepare iPhone to Sync Messages on Mac & iPad

Here's how to adjust iPhone Settings so you can sync messages from iPhone to Mac and iPhone to iPad.

Open the Settings app.
Tap Messages.
Make sure iMessage is toggled on (it may take a moment to activate).
Tap Send & Receive.
If Use your Apple ID for iMessage pops up, tap it and sign in with the Apple ID you use on the Apple devices you want to sync with.
Under You Can Receive iMessages to and Reply From, make sure your phone number, Apple ID, and other emails you use for iMessage are checked.
Under Start New Conversations From, select your phone number, unless you have a strong preference for one of your email addresses.
You’ll see your Apple ID at the bottom. Make a mental note of this, because you need to make sure you’re using the same one on iPad and Mac too.
Now go back to Settings and tap FaceTime.
Under You Can be Reached by FaceTime at, make sure your phone number and Apple ID are checked.

How to Sync Messages from iPhone to Mac

Here's how to adjust Mac Settings so you can sync messages from Mac to iPhone and Mac to iPad.

On Mac, open the Messages app; it will be in your Applications folder.
If you’re not already logged in, Messages will prompt you to do so.
Click Messages on the Menu, then click Preferences.
Click iMessage at the top of the pop-up box.
Near the top, you’ll see your Apple ID. Make sure it’s the same as the Apple ID you're logged in with on your iPhone.
Under You can be reached for messages at: make sure you’ve checked your phone number and all the emails you use for messages, including your Apple ID email.
Under Start new conversations from: select the same thing (phone number or email) that you did on the iPhone.

For example, I chose my phone number on iPhone, which means I’m also going to select my phone number on my Mac (and my iPad).

How to Sync iPhone & iPad Text Messages

Here's how to adjust iPad Settings so you can sync messages from iPad to iPhone and iPad to Mac. These steps are the same as the ones you took earlier on your iPhone, but now you'll make sure your iPad is synced.

Open the Settings app.
Tap Messages.
You may need to sign in with your Apple ID; be sure it's the same Apple ID you're using on your iPhone and Mac.
Tap Send & Receive.
At the top, find your Apple ID. Make sure it matches the Apple ID on your iPhone and your Mac if you want your text messages to sync between all devices.
Under You Can Receive iMessages to and Reply From, check your phone number and the emails you use for iMessages, including your Apple ID email.
Under Start New Conversations From, select the same number or email that you chose on your iPhone and your Mac.

After following these steps, you shouldn’t have any more problems with messages not syncing between devices. If it ever stops working again, you should be able to return to this article for a reminder on how to sync messages from your iPhone to your Mac or your iPhone to your iPad. Also, if your iPhone isn't showing up in Finder when you connect it to your Mac, we can show you how to fix it!

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How to Move Apps In & Out of the Mac Dock

Customize your Mac by learning how to move apps on and off Apple Dock.

By Olena Kagui Updated 11/04/2021

The Mac Dock is the menu bar usually found at the bottom of your screen containing various apps. Every Mac comes with a pre-set list of Apple's most popular apps. While every app in the Dock has its purpose, each user has unique needs and preferences. Learn how to move apps as needed to have a custom Dock that works for you.

How to Remove Apps from Your Mac Dock

The quickest way to remove apps from the Dock is to right click on the application icons. Uh oh, are you experiencing frozen apps on your Mac while trying to do this? Troubleshoot that first, and then try these steps again!

Right-click on the app you want to remove from your Mac Dock.
Hold your cursor over Options.
Select Keep in Dock.

If there is a checkmark next to Keep in Dock, the app will be kept in the Dock. If there is no checkmark, clicking will remove the app from the Dock. Keep in mind that removing an app from the Dock does not uninstall the app from your Apple device. To learn more about Mac personalization, sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter.

How to Add Apps to Your Mac Dock

You can add any app installed on your Mac to your Dock.

Open the app you want to keep in your Dock.
Right-click on the app.
Hold your cursor over Options.
Select Keep in Dock.
There isn't a limit to how many apps you can keep in your Dock. The more you add, the smaller the icons will become to fit all the apps in one row. To change the order, click the app icons, then drag and drop as needed.

A customized Dock can make your Mac experience more enjoyable. Once you learn how to move apps on and off your Apple Dock, it is easy to quickly edit your Mac. Now you can experiment to see what works best for you!

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