Key points
- Using a USB cable, you import photos to your Mac in the Photos app and to a Windows PC in the Microsoft Photos app.
- On Windows, install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store first.
- With iCloud Photos, your photos are available on your Mac, PC and at icloud.com, without a cable.
- iCloud includes 5 GB free. For a larger library, you need an iCloud+ plan.
In this article
- Method 1: with a USB cable
- On a Windows PC
- On Mac
- Method 2: iCloud Photos (no cable)
- Enable on iPhone
- View photos on a Windows PC
- View photos on Mac
- Method 3: cloud storage apps
- Method 4: AirDrop (Mac only)
- Comparison of methods
- Common issues when transferring photos
- PC does not recognise the iPhone
- The iPhone does not show the "Trust this computer" alert
- Photos are missing on the PC
- Frequently asked questions
- How to transfer photos from iPhone to PC without iCloud?
- Why don't all photos appear when I connect my iPhone to my PC?
- How do I ensure photos open properly on Windows?
- Can I delete photos from my iPhone after transferring them to the PC?
- Conclusion
Method 1: with a USB cable
Connect your iPhone to the computer and import the photos and videos you want.
On a Windows PC
- Install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store.
- Connect the iPhone to the PC with a USB cable.
- If prompted, unlock the iPhone with your passcode.
- If the iPhone asks whether you want to "Trust this computer", tap "Trust" or "Allow".
- On the PC, select the Start button and open the Photos app.
- Select Import, choose the iPhone and follow the instructions. You can choose which photos to import and the folder where they are saved.
If you use iCloud Photos, download the original, full-resolution versions to the iPhone first. Only then import them to the PC.
For better compatibility with Windows: On iPhone, open Settings > Camera > Formats and tap "Most Compatible". From then on, the camera captures photos in JPEG and videos in H.264. To return to HEIF and HEVC formats, which take up less space, choose "High Efficiency".
On Mac
- Connect iPhone to Mac with a USB cable. If the Mac asks to allow the accessory to connect, click "Allow".
- Open the Photos app. The Import screen appears with the photos and videos from the iPhone. If it does not appear, click the iPhone name in the sidebar.
- If prompted, unlock the iPhone with the passcode. If "Trust This Computer" appears, tap "Trust".
- Next to Album, choose an existing album or create a new one.
- Select the photos and click "Import Selected" or "Import All New Items".
- Wait for the import to finish and disconnect the iPhone from the Mac.
Alternative: with the Image Capture app on the Mac, you import the photos directly to a folder.
When you import HEIF photos or HEVC videos to the Photos app, Image Capture or a PC, they may be converted to JPEG or H.264. If you prefer to keep the original format, open Settings > Apps > Photos and tap "Keep Originals".
Method 2: iCloud Photos (no cable)
iCloud Photos stores photos and videos in iCloud in their original formats and at full resolution. They are available on all your Apple devices, on icloud.com and on a PC, without you having to import anything. The time until you see them on other devices depends on your internet connection speed.
Enable on iPhone
- Open Settings, tap your name and then iCloud.
- Tap Photos.
- Turn on "Sync this [device]".
To save space on your iPhone, use "Optimise Storage": your iPhone keeps smaller versions and iCloud stores the originals at full resolution. On the same screen, tap "iPhone Storage" and choose "Optimise Storage". On iOS 26 or earlier, simply choose "Optimise Storage". When you need the originals, you can download them over Wi-Fi or mobile data.
View photos on a Windows PC
- Open iCloud for Windows.
- In iCloud Photos, click the button on the right and turn on iCloud Photos. Click "Done".
- Open File Explorer and click iCloud Photos.
- Double-click a photo or video to download and view it. To select multiple items, hold down the Ctrl key.
You can also open iCloud.com/photos in a browser, sign in with your Apple Account, select the photos and click the Download button in the top right-hand corner.
View photos on Mac
- From the Apple menu, open System Settings, click your name, then click iCloud.
- Under Saved to iCloud, click Photos and turn on "Sync this Mac".
- Open the Photos app. Your iCloud photos will sync to the Mac.
To keep full-resolution originals on your Mac, in the Photos app choose Photos > Settings, click the iCloud tab and select "Download Originals to this Mac".
iCloud storage: Apple includes 5 GB of free storage, and the photos and videos in iCloud Photos count towards that space. Before you turn it on, check that you have enough room for your entire library. According to Apple's euro pricing, iCloud+ with 50 GB costs €0.99 per month.
Note when deleting: When you delete a photo on a device, it is deleted on all devices where you use iCloud Photos. If you delete by mistake, you can recover it from the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days. iCloud Photos are not included in the iCloud backup, so keep copies of your library.
Method 3: cloud storage apps
Third-party apps such as Google Photos, OneDrive or Dropbox also upload iPhone photos to the cloud. You can then open and download those photos in your PC browser. Free storage, saved quality and pricing depend on each service: check the terms before choosing.
Method 4: AirDrop (Mac only)
AirDrop wirelessly sends photos and videos from an iPhone to a nearby Mac:
- Confirm that both the iPhone and the Mac have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and are within 10 metres of each other.
- On iPhone, open the Photos app and select the photos.
- Tap the Share button, then tap AirDrop.
- Tap your Mac.
- On Mac, click "Accept" in the notification. If the iPhone and Mac are signed in to the same Apple Account, the transfer is accepted automatically.
On Mac, some photos are saved to the Downloads folder. In other cases, the Mac asks whether you want to save them to Downloads or open them in the Photos app.
AirDrop transfer is encrypted. If you move out of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth range after the transfer starts, it continues over the internet.
Comparison of methods
| Method | Computer | Cable | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB cable | Mac and Windows PC | Yes | On Windows, the Apple Devices app |
| Photos in iCloud | Mac, Windows PC and icloud.com | No | Internet connection and iCloud storage (5 GB free) |
| AirDrop | Mac only | No | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth active, within 10 metres |
| Third-party apps | Mac and Windows PC | No | Service account and internet connection |
Common issues when transferring photos
PC does not recognise the iPhone
- Open the Apple Devices app and connect the iPhone with the USB cable. Unlock the iPhone and tap "Trust" if the alert appears.
- If the iPhone does not make a sound or vibrate when you connect it, disconnect the cable and check the charging port for debris.
- Try a different USB cable. The cable must support data and charging.
- Try a different USB port or another computer.
- Confirm you have the latest version of Windows and iOS.
The iPhone does not show the "Trust this computer" alert
Disconnect the iPhone from the computer, reconnect it and restart both. If the alert still does not appear, or if you tapped "Don't Trust" by mistake, reset the location and privacy settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy.
Photos are missing on the PC
With iCloud Photos and the "Optimise Storage" option, the iPhone stores smaller versions and the originals remain in iCloud. To have them on the PC, first download the originals to the iPhone, or use iCloud for Windows or iCloud.com/photos.
Frequently asked questions
How to transfer photos from iPhone to PC without iCloud?
Use a USB cable. On Windows, with the Apple Devices app and the Microsoft Photos app. On Mac, with the Photos app or Image Capture. On Mac you also have AirDrop. You don't need iCloud for any of these methods.
Why don't all photos appear when I connect my iPhone to my PC?
With iCloud Photos and the "Optimise Storage" option, the originals of some photos are in iCloud and not on the iPhone. Download the originals to the iPhone before importing, or download them at iCloud.com/photos.
How do I ensure photos open properly on Windows?
In Settings > Camera > Formats, choose "Most Compatible": new photos and videos will be in JPEG and H.264. When importing to a PC, existing HEIF photos and HEVC videos can also be converted to JPEG and H.264.
Can I delete photos from my iPhone after transferring them to the PC?
Yes, after confirming the copy on the computer is complete. If you use iCloud Photos, deleting a photo on the iPhone deletes it on all devices where you use iCloud Photos. If you make a mistake, you have 30 days to recover it from the Recently Deleted folder.
Conclusion
To import photos to a folder or library on your computer, connect your iPhone with a cable: on Mac, use the Photos app; on Windows, use the Apple Devices app and the Microsoft Photos app. To have your photos on all devices without cables, turn on iCloud Photos and check the available storage. If your iPhone is running out of space, iOutlet offers refurbished iPhones with various storage capacities and a 24 months warranty.
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