How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC (Step-by-Step Guide)

Transferring photos from your iPhone to a Windows PC might seem tricky at first, but it’s actually simple once you know the steps. Whether you want to free up storage, back up your memories, or edit them on your computer, this guide will show you exactly how to transfer photos from iPhone to PC — with or without iTunes.

📸 Method 1: How to Transfer iPhone Photos to PC Using USB

This is the fastest and most direct method. All you need is your iPhone, a USB cable, and a Windows PC.

✅ Steps:

1. Connect your iPhone to your PC using the Lightning-to-USB cable.
2. Unlock your iPhone and tap “Trust This Computer” if prompted.
3. On your PC, open File Explorer and go to This PC.
4. Click on your iPhone device under Devices and Drives.
5. Navigate to Internal Storage > DCIM.
6. You’ll see one or more folders with your photos.
7. Copy and paste the photos or folders you want to your PC.

💡 Pro Tip: This works without needing iTunes and is great for bulk transfers.

🔁 How to Transfer iPhone Photos to Windows 11

Windows 11 supports automatic photo imports using the Photos app.

✅ Steps:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Windows 11 PC via USB.
2. Open the Photos app.
3. Click Import > From a connected device.
4. Select the photos you want, then click Import.

This method is ideal for users who prefer a visual interface.

❌ Why Won’t My iPhone Photos Transfer to PC?

If your PC doesn’t recognize your iPhone or the transfer fails:

Troubleshooting Tips:

• Make sure your iPhone is unlocked.
• Check that you tapped "Trust This Computer".
• Use an original Apple USB cable.
• Restart both your iPhone and PC.
• Update your iTunes and drivers on Windows.
• Try a different USB port or cable.

🛑 How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC Without iTunes

iTunes isn’t required for photo transfers. You can:

• Use File Explorer (as shown above).
• Use iCloud Photos (see below).
• Use third-party apps like Google Drive or Dropbox.

☁️ How to Download All iPhone Photos to PC via iCloud

If you use iCloud Photos, you can access your entire library on your PC.

✅ Steps:

• On your iPhone, go to Settings > Photos > iCloud Photos and turn it on.
• On your PC, visit iCloud.com and log in.
• Go to Photos.
• Select the photos and click the Download icon to save them to your PC.

You can also install iCloud for Windows for automatic syncing.

🖥️ How to Transfer iPhone Photos to External Hard Drive

1. Transfer your photos to your PC first (using USB or iCloud).
2. Plug in your external hard drive.
3. Drag and drop the photos from your PC to the external drive.

Great for backups or long-term storage!

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

❓How to transfer live photos from iPhone to PC?

Live photos are saved as still images (.JPG) when using File Explorer. Use iCloud or third-party apps if you want to preserve the animation.

❓How to fix iPhone not showing up on PC?

Update your drivers, check your USB cable, make sure your iPhone is unlocked, and that “Trust This Computer” has been selected.

❓How to copy photos from iPhone to specific folder on PC?

After accessing the DCIM folder, manually copy and paste your selected photos into any folder on your PC.

Conclusion

Now you know exactly how to transfer photos from iPhone to PC — whether you're using USB, iCloud, or third-party tools. Choose the method that suits your needs best. Regularly backing up your photos not only saves storage but also protects your precious memories!