How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Computer—PC or Mac

If you want to know how to transfer photos from iPhone to a PC or Mac, you have lots of options. Whether you're looking to move photos from iPhone to Mac or transfer iPhone photos to PC, the process is not as complex as you might think. Transfers between Apple devices are pretty simple, and for PC owners, we've found some easy methods (including the solutions that Microsoft doesn't advertise). Let's cover how to get photos off an iPhone and onto a computer easily!

Jump To:

• How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC
• How to Import Photos from iPhone to PC (Alternative Method)
• How to Download Pictures from iPhone to Computer with iCloud Photos (Mac or PC)
• 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 Using AirDrop on Mac

How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC

How to Import Photos from iPhone to PC in Windows 10

If you're looking for the easiest way to transfer photos from your iPhone to your PC—with the additional details Microsoft doesn't provide—here's how to get photos off your iPhone and onto your PC:

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. Click Photos to access the Photos app.
   
   
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.
   
   

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 method to copy photos from iPhone to your PC:

1. To transfer iPhone photos to PC, plug your iPhone into your Windows computer with the cable, unlock the iPhone, and tap Allow, as above.
2. On your Windows computer navigate to This PC. You should see your iPhone listed under Devices and Drives. 
3. Right-click on your iPhone, and in the context menu select Import pictures and videos.
   
   
4. 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.
5. 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.
   
   
6. Click Next and the computer will scan your iPhone for images and videos.
7. In the following window, select the items you wish to import.
   
   
8. 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.
9. Click Import when you're ready to transfer images.
   
   

Next, we’re going to delve into how to import pictures from iPhone to your computer with the iCloud Photo Library. 

Related: What Is iCloud & How Does It Work? Apple iCloud Basics

How to Download Photos from iPhone to Computer with iCloud Photos (Mac or PC)

Psst. Here's the secret you'll never hear from Microsoft: you can use iCloud.com to securely store and access your photos, even with a PC! Like any iCloud user, you'll need to pay a small monthly fee for storage ($0.99/month for 50 GB or $2.99/month for 200 GB). However, I consider this is a small price to pay, as the process for how to transfer photos from iPhone to computer will be practically effortless, since iCloud will automatically keep the two libraries in perfect sync. If you want to avoid having to plug your iPhone into your computer to transfer your photos, this method is likely a great solution for you.

First, both Mac and PC users will need to follow the iPhone steps below to make sure your photos are safely backed up in the cloud:

1. Open the Settings app and select your Apple ID profile at the top.
   
   
2. Tap iCloud.
   
   
3. Choose Photos.
   
   
4. For iPhones with iOS 17 or iOS 16 installed, toggle on Sync this iPhone. (For older software versions, toggle on iCloud Photos.)
   
   

If you own a PC, you can simply download iCloud for Windows or log in to your iCloud.com account with your Apple ID to view and access your photos. The downside to this method is that you can only download up to 1,000 photos at a time from iCloud.com to your PC (so downloading your entire photos library at once is likely out of the question).

Connect Photos to Mac Via iCloud

If you own a Mac, follow the steps below to sync your Photos app to iCloud. This way, your iPhone pictures will appear in your Mac Photos app and vice versa. For Mac users, here's how to get photos from your iPhone to your computer:

1. Open System Settings.
   
   
2. Choose your Apple ID.
   
   
3. Click iCloud.
   
   
4. Click Photos.
   
   
5. Toggle Sync This Mac on.
   
   
6. Click Done to save your changes.
   
   

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. It's important to note that the import Photos from iPhone to Mac process has changed a little since macOS Catalina, macOS Big Sur, macOS Monterey, and macOS Ventura, so if you're using one of these newer operating system you'll want to use the method shown next. 

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

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac with the USB cable and unlock your iPhone.
2. 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.
3. Your iPhone should already be selected in the browser on the left of the Photos page. If it isn't, then select your iPhone.
   
   
4. Select the photos you wish to import by clicking on them.
5. 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 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. Here's how to upload photos from your iPhone to your computer using AirDrop: 

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone. Select the photos you want to transfer to the computer, then tap the Share icon.
   
   
2. Select AirDrop in the Share menu.
   
   
3. Choose your computer from the list of devices displayed at the bottom of the screen.
   
   
4. If successful, it will say Sent below your computer's icon.
   
   
5. Tap Done in the upper-right corner to leave the AirDrop screen.
   
   

Need more methods to download pictures to a computer? Here are 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.