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You can transfer iPhone photos to a computer with a USB cable or keep them available through iCloud Photos. On a Mac, import through Photos or save files to a folder with Image Capture. On Windows, install Apple Devices, connect and unlock the iPhone, then import using Microsoft Photos. Choose a cable transfer for a one-time copy; use iCloud Photos to synchronize a library across devices.
Choose a transfer method
The right route depends on your computer and whether you want a one-time copy or an ongoing synchronized library.
- Mac, Photos library: Connect by USB and import in Photos.
- Mac, folder destination: Use Image Capture to import files directly to a folder. Photos can also store imported content outside its library, including on an external hard drive.
- Windows PC: Install Apple Devices, connect and unlock the iPhone, then import through Microsoft Photos.
- Multiple devices or ongoing access: Turn on iCloud Photos on the devices you use. It synchronizes the library rather than making a single, separate copy.
For a wired transfer, use a USB data cable compatible with both your iPhone and computer. A charging-only cable may not transfer files.
Import iPhone photos to a Mac with a USB cable
- Connect the iPhone to the Mac with a USB cable.
- If macOS asks to allow the accessory connection, allow it. Unlock the iPhone and tap Trust if prompted.
- Open Photos. If the Import view does not appear automatically, select the iPhone in the sidebar.
- Choose an album or create one, select the photos you want, and click Import Selected or Import All New Items.
- Wait until importing finishes before disconnecting the iPhone.
If you want ordinary image files in a folder rather than items in the Photos library, open Image Capture and import to a folder. Apple also documents storing imported Photos content outside the library, including on an external hard drive. Apple’s transfer guide covers Mac and PC options, and its Photos guide explains storage outside the library.
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Import iPhone photos to a Windows PC
- Install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store.
- Connect the iPhone to the PC with a USB cable, unlock it, and tap Trust or Allow if prompted.
- Import the photos using Microsoft Photos. For the detailed import controls in that app, follow Microsoft’s instructions for importing photos and videos from a phone to a PC.
If iCloud Photos is enabled on the iPhone, download the full-resolution originals to the phone before starting a USB import to Windows. Apple explains this requirement in its photo-transfer instructions.
If new photos or videos are not compatible with Windows
For future captures, Apple recommends Settings > Camera > Formats > Most Compatible. Apple says this setting saves future photos as JPEG and videos as H.264. It does not convert or change files already captured.
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Use iCloud Photos to sync a library
When iCloud Photos is set up, the library is available across signed-in Apple devices, at iCloud.com, and on a Windows PC set up with iCloud for Windows. Edits and deletions made on one device are reflected on other devices where iCloud Photos is enabled, so this is synchronization rather than an independent archival copy. Photos and videos in iCloud Photos use iCloud storage; check your available capacity before enabling it.
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Why a Mac may not import every photo directly
With Optimize Storage enabled, full-resolution originals may remain in iCloud instead of being stored on the iPhone. As a result, some items may not be available for direct USB import to a Mac that is not using iCloud Photos. Apple’s options are to enable iCloud Photos on the Mac or use AirDrop to send the affected items. AirDrop is also useful for selected photos when you do not need the entire library synchronized. See Apple’s iCloud Photos guidance for the storage behavior and workarounds.
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When a transfer does not work
- The computer does not show the iPhone: Unlock the phone, check for a Trust or Allow prompt, and approve it. Confirm the cable supports data and that macOS has allowed the accessory connection if asked.
- Some originals are missing on a Mac: Check whether Optimize Storage is keeping them in iCloud. Enable iCloud Photos on the Mac or AirDrop the affected items.
- A Windows USB import misses photos: If iCloud Photos is on, first download full-resolution originals to the iPhone.
- Windows cannot use newly captured media: Consider Most Compatible for future camera captures; it affects future photos and videos only.
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