This wikiHow teaches you how to transfer photos on your iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer. This can be done through the computer's built-in Photos app, or using iCloud Photos to upload photos on your iPhone to iCloud, then download them to your computer.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using the Photos App on Windows
Step 1. Connect iPhone to computer
Plug the other end of the charging cable into the charger port on your iPhone. Next, plug the other end of the USB cable into one of the USB ports on your computer.
If it's the first time you've connected your iPhone to your computer, tap Trust that appears on your iPhone, then type in your iPhone passcode or TouchID.
Step 2. Launch iTunes
The icon is in the form of colorful musical notes on a white background. In order for the iPhone to be recognized by Windows, launch iTunes and allow the phone to connect to the app.
- If your computer doesn't already have iTunes installed, install this app first before you proceed.
- If you are prompted to update iTunes, click Download iTunes when requested. When the update has finished downloading, you may need to restart your computer.
Step 3. Wait until the “Device” icon appears
This iPhone-shaped icon will appear at the top left of the iTunes Library page. You can continue once the icon appears.
- Wait for a few seconds until the iPhone connects to iTunes.
- When tab Library that's at the top of the iTunes window isn't already highlighted, click the tab to switch to Library.
Step 4. Unlock iPhone
When the "Device" icon is displayed, enter the passcode (you can also use Touch ID or Face ID), then unlock iPhone by pressing a button Home.
When prompted, tap Trust in the " Trust this computer " pop-up window before you continue.
Step 5. Go to Start
Do this by clicking on the Windows logo in the lower left corner.
Step 6. Click Photos
The application icon with a mountain-like shape is usually in the Start window.
If the Photos icon is not there, type photos and click Photos at the top of the Start window.
Step 7. Click the Import tab at the top right of the Photos window
This will bring up a drop-down menu.
Step 8. Click From a USB device in the drop-down menu
This will instruct the computer to scan the videos and photos that are on the iPhone for import.
- If you plugged in multiple USB items, click the iPhone name before you continue.
- If the Photos app tells you that there are no USB items, close and run Photos again, then try again. You may have to perform this action several times for iPhone to appear here.
Step 9. Select the photos you want to transfer to your computer
At first, all the photos on your iPhone will be selected, but you can click the checkmark on the top right of each photo you don't want to transfer so that it doesn't get imported.
- Alternatively, click the link Unselect all at the top of the "Select items to import" window. This will uncheck all photos. Next, you can click on each of the photos you want to import.
- If you want to delete photos on your iPhone that have been transferred to your computer, click the link Import settings which is at the bottom of the window, then check the box " Delete items from my device after I import them " and click Done.
Step 10. Click Import selected at the bottom of the window
The selected photos will begin to be imported to the computer. When the process is complete, a notification will be displayed in the lower right corner of the screen. Now, you can unplug your iPhone from your computer.
Method 2 of 3: Using the Photos App on Mac
Step 1. Connect iPhone to Mac
Plug the other end of the charging cable into the iPhone's charging port, then plug the other end of the USB cable into one of the USB ports on your computer.
Step 2. Unlock iPhone
Enter the passcode (you can also use Touch ID or Face ID), then press the Home button on iPhone to unlock it.
When prompted, tap Trust in the " Trust this computer " pop-up window before you continue.
Step 3. Run Photos
Click the Photos icon, which is a colorful pinwheel in the Mac dock.
- The Photos app may open automatically when you plug your iPhone into your computer.
- An iPhone icon will appear in the upper-left corner of the Photos window.
Step 4. Select iPhone
Click the iPhone's name in the left pane of the window to select the file from which you want to import the photos.
Step 5. Select the photos you want to download
Do this by clicking on the desired photo in the window.
If you want to transfer all photos that are not on your computer, skip this step
Step 6. Click Import Selected in the upper right corner
The number of selected photos will be listed in this button (for example Import 6 Selected).
choose Import All New Items if you want to send all the photos on your iPhone that aren't on your Mac.
Step 7. Click Imports on the left side of the window
This page will display the photos you just transferred.
Method 3 of 3: Using iCloud Photo Library
Step 1. Make sure your storage space is sufficient
This method involves uploading photos to iCloud so that you can download them to any computer connected to the internet. However, your iCloud storage space should be sufficient to store uploaded photos. iCloud provides 5 GB of free storage space, but you may need to increase the capacity before uploading photos.
Step 2. Open Settings
on iPhone.
Tap the Settings icon, which is a gray box with a gear in it.
Step 3. Tap on Apple ID
If you've added your Apple ID, you can find it at the top of the Settings menu containing your photo and name.
If you are not signed in yet, tap Sign in to iPhone, type in your Apple ID and password, then tap Sign In.
Step 4. Tap iCloud located in the second part of the menu, in the middle of the screen
Step 5. Tap Photos
This option is located at the top of " APPS USING ICLOUD ".
Step 6. Tap on the white “iCloud Photo Library” button
The button will turn green
. Now, the videos and photos that are in the Camera Roll will be uploaded to your iCloud account as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi.
- Be patient, this uploading process can take a few hours if you have a lot of photos.
- To keep iPhone storage space free, you can tap Optimize iPhone Storage. With this option, the device will save the photo in a small version.
Step 7. Tap on the white “My Photo Stream” button
The button will turn green
. By tapping on it, your future photos will be uploaded to iCloud if you are connected to the internet.
Step 8. Visit iCloud on the computer
Launch a web browser and visit
Step 9. Log in (login) to iCloud
Type in your Apple ID email address and password, then click →.
Skip this step if you are already signed in to iCloud
Step 10. Click Photos
The icon is in the shape of a colorful toy propeller.
Step 11. Click the Photos tab at the top left of the page
Step 12. Select the photos you want to download
Press and hold Command (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows), then click each photo you want.
Step 13. Click the "Download" button
It's a cloud-shaped button with a downward-facing arrow at the top right of the page. Once you do that, your computer will download the photos, although you may need to specify where to save the downloads first.
