How to Transfer Files from iPhone to PC
AirDrop makes moving files between Apple devices effortless, but it doesn't work with Windows. If you have an iPhone and a Windows PC, getting photos, videos, or documents from one to the other takes a little more thought.
The good news is that there are several reliable options, and you don't need to install anything unusual. Below are three methods, from the classic cable to a quick wireless link, so you can pick the one that fits what you're moving.
Method 1: Use a USB Cable
A cable is the most dependable way to move a large batch of photos and videos, such as clearing out your camera roll.
- Connect your iPhone to the PC with a USB or Lightning cable.
- Unlock the iPhone and tap Trust when it asks whether to trust this computer.
- On the PC, open the Photos app and choose Import, then select your iPhone.
- Pick the photos and videos you want and start the import.
This method is best for photos and videos from the camera roll. It doesn't give you easy access to documents saved in other apps.
Method 2: Sync with iCloud
If you already use iCloud, the iCloud for Windows app can sync your photos and iCloud Drive files to your PC automatically. Once it's set up, new photos appear on your computer without you doing anything.
The trade-off is setup time and storage. The free iCloud plan only includes 5GB, and syncing is overkill if you just need to move a few files once.
Method 3: Send a Download Link (No Cable or App)
For a handful of files, the fastest option is often to upload them from your iPhone's browser and open the link on your PC. This also works when the PC isn't yours, such as a work or school computer.
- On your iPhone, open File Sender in Safari.
- Tap to upload and choose files from Photos or the Files app. You can select several at once.
- Add a title, pick an expiry of 1, 3, or 5 days, and upload.
- Copy the link and send it to yourself by email or chat, then open it on your PC and download.
There's no account or app to install, and the files arrive exactly as they were on your phone. Each upload can be up to 100MB, which suits documents, photo sets, and short videos.
A Note on iPhone Photo Formats
iPhones save photos as HEIC by default, a format some Windows programs can't open without an extra extension. If that causes trouble, you have two easy options:
- Go to Settings > Photos and set Transfer to Mac or PC to Automatic, so photos are converted to JPEG when you import them with a cable.
- Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose Most Compatible, so new photos are saved as JPEG from the start.
Sharing with someone else rather than yourself? Read our tips on file sharing for remote teams for working across different devices.
Key Takeaways
Use a USB cable for big photo imports, iCloud if you want automatic syncing, and a download link when you need to move a few files quickly without cables or setup. Check the HEIC setting if your PC struggles to open iPhone photos.