How to transfer photos from iPhone to your PC or Mac

There are several ways to transfer photos between your iPhone and your Windows or Mac computer. You can download them from your web browser or import them using wireless solutions or a cable, whether or not you have an Internet connection. Among the many options available, here are some simple and convenient ways to transfer photos from iPhone to your PC or Mac and back. Read on to find the one that's right for you.

How to transfer iCloud photos from iPhone?

This solution allows you to move photos from your PC or Mac to your iPhone, and vice versa, from your web browser as long as you have the "Photos in iCloud" option enabled, which means your photo gallery is in sync with iCloud.

Transfer photos from iPhone to your PC or Mac

Open your web browser, log in to iCloud, and sign in with the iCloud account you use on your smartphone. On the home page, click Photos.

Select the photos you want to download to your computer while holding down the Shift key. Then press the cloud icon with a downward arrow at the top right corner of the screen:

As soon as the download is complete, you can find your photos in the Downloads section of your computer, in a folder called iCloud Photos for Windows computer and simply in Downloads for Mac OS.

Transfer photos from your PC or Mac to iPhone

In the same Photo section on https://www.icloud.com/ - click on the cloud icon with an upward arrow.

In Windows Explorer or Finder, select the photos on your hard drive that you want to transfer to your iCloud account. Then click Open. Your selection will appear in the Photos app on your iPhone.

How to transfer photos from iPhone to PC?

If you do not have access to the Internet, but have a USB cable, you can choose from the following solutions:

Windows Photo App

Thanks to the Windows Photos application, you can import photos from your iPhone to your PC easily. To do so, you need to download iTunes and follow these steps:

Connect your iPhone to your PC using the USB cable. Unlock your iPhone so that your computer can detect it. You may need to enter a security code. If you get the message Trust this computer click Trust or Allow. In the search field next to the Start menu, type photos and click on the application.

In the app window, go to the top right and select Import > From USB device.

Your PC will then display the photos and videos on your iPhone. The menu at the top left allows you to browse through all the items or those you have not yet imported. You can also use the Customize option to select photos and videos individually or by month. Once you make your choice, click the blue button to transfer them to your PC.

Note: Make sure you have the Photos app on your iPhone open at the same time so your PC can scan your photos and videos.

The images will be available both in the Windows Photos app and on your PC's hard drive in a folder under name Images.

Windows Explorer

You can connect your iPhone using the USB cable to view your photos and videos in Windows Explorer, just like when you open files from any USB device. Here's how to do it.

Connect your iPhone to your computer using the cable and click This Computer > Apple iPhone > Internal Storage > DCIM. There, you'll find different folders, each containing a portion of your photos and videos. Next, select the photos you want and drag them to a location on your hard drive or simply copy and paste them.

One drawback to this method is that the items are in folders that aren't organized by date, which can make it a little difficult to find.

Note: Please note that this method only works one way and does not allow you to transfer photos from your PC to your iPhone.

How to transfer photos from iPhone to Mac?

Using Image Capture App

Mac computers have a pre-installed application called Image Capture that lets you easily import photos and videos from your iPhone. To do so, follow these steps:

Open Finder and type Image Capture in the Search bar to find the app. Open it.

Connect your iPhone to your Mac via USB cable, the app will detect it and show you your photos and videos. (If your computer prompts you, enter the code and click Trust or Allow in the dialog box with the question Trust this computer?).
Then, select the items you want to transfer to your Mac, click on Import to bar and choose the folder to which you want to transfer your photos. Finally, click Import and wait a little while the file transfer takes place.

If you'd like to import all the photos and videos on your iPhone, just click Import All and keep in mind that this may take longer depending on the number of photos and videos you have on your phone.

Photos App

If you had a problem with the above method, you can try the Photos app. Remember, you need to have the latest version of iTunes installed.

Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable and the Mac Photos app will open automatically. (If it doesn't, open the app). Click on your iPhone in the Devices section of the left side menu and you'll see all the photos on your iPhone.

Select the items you want to move to your Mac and then click the Import selected button. If you want to transfer all your photos, click Import All New Items.

You'll find transferred items on the Imports tab or in the album you've created or selected within the Photos app on your Mac.

AirDrop

Looking for a wireless solution that doesn't require internet access? AirDrop lets you transfer photos between your iPhone and Mac wirelessly.

Open the Photos app on your iPhone and select the photos you want to transfer to your Mac. Then, tap the share icon in the lower-left corner of the screen. In the options that appear, choose the AirDrop icon and select your Mac. Make sure your Bluetooth is switched on both on your phone and computer.

You'll be notified on your computer right away. Just click Accept to receive the content, which you can find afterwards in your Downloads folder.

How to transfer photos from your PC or Mac to iPhone?

AirDrop (for Mac)

This tool works both ways, and there's also the ability to send photos to your iPhone from your Mac using AirDrop. To do so, select the photos you want to transfer in Finder, right-click on them, and choose Share > AirDrop. In the window that appears, select your iPhone and click OK.

Make sure your smartphone is unlocked, and when the transfer is complete, you can find the images in the iPhone Photos app.

iTunes

Among the various programs you can use to transfer photos is iTunes, a complete media file manager and player developed by Apple for Windows and Mac. It's the ideal solution if you don't have an Internet connection and haven't synchronized your photo reel with iCloud.

If you're a Windows user, download and install iTunes.
Open the program and connect your smartphone to the computer with the USB cable.
Click on the iPhone icon at the top left corner of iTunes window.
Click Photos, check mark the Sync Photos box, and click Pictures.
Then choose the folder on your hard drive that contains the photos you want to browse and click Select Folder.
Finally, click the OK and wait for the sync to complete. You'll find the transferred photos in the Photos application on your iPhone.