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How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Computer

TechEasy6:026 steps5-question quiz at endBrowse more →

By ShowMeStepByStepPublished Updated

Based on a video by Kevin Stratvert.

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Phones run out of storage. Photos pile up. Eventually you need to get them onto a computer for backup, editing, or just to free up space. The good news is you have three solid options on Windows, and a fourth that works on any computer.

Kevin Stratvert walks through all three Windows methods: the built-in Photos app (easiest), File Explorer (more control), and Google Photos cloud sync (works anywhere). Pick whichever matches how you already work.

You'll need a Lightning cable, a USB port on your computer, and your iPhone unlocked. The Photos app method takes about a minute per 50 photos.

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Step 1: Plug your iPhone into the computer

0:55
Step 1: Step 1: Plug your iPhone into the computer

Connect your iPhone to a USB port on the computer with a Lightning cable.

Unlock the phone. If it's the first time connecting to this computer, you'll see a prompt asking to 'Trust this computer' - tap Trust. On Windows, you'll see a notification in the bottom-right corner saying 'Apple iPhone - Select to choose what happens with this device.'

Tip

Use the cable that came with your iPhone if you have it. Cheap third-party cables sometimes only carry power, not data, and the computer won't see the phone.

Products used in this step

Lightning CableView product
2

Step 2: Choose 'Import photos and videos' via Photos app

1:12
Step 2: Step 2: Choose 'Import photos and videos' via Photos app

Click the 'Apple iPhone' notification on your Windows desktop. A dialog appears with several options.

Click 'Import photos and videos - Photos' to use the built-in Windows 10/11 Photos app. The app launches and starts scanning your phone for photos and videos.

3

Step 3: Select which photos to import

1:30
Step 3: Step 3: Select which photos to import

The Photos app shows a grid of every photo and video on the phone, with all of them checked by default.

Click 'Unselect all' in the top-right of the dialog, then check just the photos you want. Group by date if you only want a recent batch - 'September 2019' or 'Yesterday' headers let you select a whole day at once.

Tip

If you want everything, leave it on 'Select all.' Importing is non-destructive - the originals stay on the phone unless you check the 'delete imported items from device' option.

4

Step 4: Click Import selected and wait

1:55
Step 4: Step 4: Click Import selected and wait

Click the blue 'Import selected' button at the bottom of the dialog. The app copies each photo to your Pictures library on the PC.

When it's done you'll see an 'All done! Photos has finished importing X photos' notification. Open any photo to view it - you can crop, add filters, share, or print right from the Photos app.

5

Step 5: Alternative - use File Explorer for older Windows

3:00
Step 5: Step 5: Alternative - use File Explorer for older Windows

If you don't have the Photos app or you want to choose exactly where photos go, unplug and replug the phone, but this time choose 'Open device to view files' from the dialog.

File Explorer opens with your iPhone shown in the sidebar. Click Internal Storage, then DCIM, then the only folder inside (usually called 100APPLE or similar). Select the photos you want, right-click Copy, and right-click Paste into any folder on your PC.

Tip

This method works on Windows 7 and 8 too, where the Photos app isn't available.

6

Step 6: Cloud option - Google Photos works on any computer

4:30
Step 6: Step 6: Cloud option - Google Photos works on any computer

If you don't want to deal with cables, install the Google Photos app from the App Store on your iPhone. Sign in and let it back up your photos to your Google account in the background.

Once it's done syncing, open photos.google.com on any computer (Windows, Mac, Chromebook). All your photos are there. Select the ones you want and click the download icon to save them locally.

Tip

Google Photos gives you 15 GB free shared with Gmail and Drive. If you have a lot of photos, you may need a Google One subscription or to use Google's high-quality compression option.

Products Used

Lightning CableView

Your Guide

Kevin Stratvert

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links on this page may be affiliate links - clicking them and buying doesn't change your price, but helps support ShowMeStepByStep.

Tags

pcgoogle photostech-basicsiosphoto backupwindows 10iphonefile transfer

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Quick reference

Key takeaways from How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Computer

5 questions, answers, and one-line explanations. Tap to expand.

  1. 1.First thing the iPhone asks on a new computer connection?

    Answer: Trust this computer

    Tap Trust on the phone prompt. Without it, Windows will see the phone as charging-only and won't expose the photo library.

  2. 2.Why might a cheap third-party cable fail to transfer?

    Answer: Power only, no data

    Many cheap cables carry power but not data lines, so the computer never sees the phone. Use the cable that shipped with the iPhone.

  3. 3.On the Windows Photos app, what's checked by default?

    Answer: All photos

    Every photo is preselected. Click 'Unselect all' first if you only want a recent batch, then tick by date group.

  4. 4.Where do iPhone photos live in File Explorer?

    Answer: Internal Storage > DCIM

    Internal Storage > DCIM, then the only sub-folder (usually 100APPLE). Works on Windows 7 and 8 too, no Photos app needed.

  5. 5.How much storage does Google Photos give for free?

    Answer: 15 GB

    15 GB shared with Gmail and Drive. Beyond that you need a Google One subscription or the high-quality compression option.

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