This wikiHow teaches you how to transfer the photos inside an iPhone to a Windows or Mac computer. You can perform the data transfer using the Photos app of the respective operating systems or use iCloud to synchronize the images on the iPhone and then download them to your computer using Apple's clouding service website.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using the Windows Photos App
Step 1. Connect the iOS device to the computer
Insert the smaller connector of the cable you use to charge your iPhone into the iPhone's communication port, then plug the other connector into a free USB port on your computer.
If this is the first time you connect your iOS device to your computer, you will need to authorize the procedure by pressing the button Authorize which will appear on the iPhone screen and by entering the unlock code or tapping the TouchID button.
Step 2. Launch iTunes
It features a multicolored music note icon set against a white background. For Windows to be able to detect and communicate with the iPhone, iTunes must be installed on the computer and be able to access the iOS device.
- If you haven't installed iTunes on your computer yet, do so now before continuing.
- If a new update is detected, press the button Download iTunes when required. At the end of the installation you will have to restart your computer to allow the update to complete.
Step 3. Wait for the iPhone icon to appear inside the iTunes window
It features the stylized silhouette of the iOS device and is located in the upper left corner of the program window next to the "Library" tab. When the icon in question appears in the indicated point you can continue.
- It may take several seconds for the iPhone to be correctly detected by iTunes.
- If the tab is not selected Bookshelf iTunes, that is, if the relevant button at the top of the program window is not highlighted, press it to access the corresponding section.
Step 4. Unlock access to iPhone
When the stylized iPhone icon appears in the iTunes window, log in to the iOS device by typing the unlock code or using the Touch ID or Face ID features, then press the button Home.
If necessary, press the button Authorize appeared on the iPhone screen to authorize data sharing with the Windows computer you connected it to.
Step 5. Enter the Start menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 6. Launch the Photos app
It is characterized by an icon in which the outline of two mountains is drawn and is normally visible directly within the "Start" menu.
If the Photos app icon is missing from the "Start" menu, type in the keyword photo, then select the entry Photo appeared at the top of the results list.
Step 7. Press the Import button
It is located in the upper right part of the program window. A small drop-down menu will appear.
Step 8. Choose the From a USB device option
It is one of the items listed in the drop-down menu that appeared. Windows will scan your iPhone for all the images and videos it contains.
- If there are currently multiple USB devices connected to your computer, please select the iPhone name before continuing.
- If the Photos app can't find any USB devices, try restarting the program and repeating the import procedure. You may have to make several attempts before the iPhone is detected by the Photos app.
Step 9. Select the images to transfer to your computer
By default, all photos found on the iPhone will appear selected. However, if you need to discard some images, click the small check mark in the upper right corner of any photos you don't want to include in the import.
- You can also click the link Uncheck all located at the top of the "Add Items to Import" dialog box to completely cancel the current selection and be able to manually choose the individual photos to import.
- If you need all the selected items to be automatically deleted from the iOS device after the import is complete, click link Import settings located at the bottom of the dialog box, then select the "Delete items after import" checkbox and press the button end.
Step 10. Press the Import Selected button
It is located at the bottom of the window. All chosen items will be imported to your computer. When the data transfer process is complete, you will see a notification message appear in the lower right corner of your computer screen. At this point you can close the iTunes window and disconnect the iPhone from the system.
Method 2 of 3: Using the Photos App on Mac
Step 1. Connect the iOS device to the computer
Insert the smaller connector of the cable you use to charge your iPhone into the iPhone's communication port, then plug the other connector into a free USB port on your computer.
Step 2. Unlock the iPhone
Log in to your iOS device by typing the unlock code or using the Touch ID or Face ID features, then press the button Home.
If necessary, press the button Authorize appeared on the iPhone screen to authorize data sharing with the Mac you connected it to.
Step 3. Launch the Photos app by clicking the icon
It features a multicolored pinwheel placed directly on the Mac Dock.
- The Photos app may start automatically as soon as the iPhone connected to the Mac is detected by the operating system.
- The iPhone icon should appear in the upper left corner of the application window.
Step 4. Select your iOS device
Click the name of the iPhone located on the left side of the program window to select it as the source of the images to be imported to the Mac.
Step 5. Select the images you want to copy to Mac
Click the thumbnail image of each photo you want to import.
If you need to import any new photos that aren't on your Mac yet, skip this step
Step 6. Press the Import Selected button
It is visible in the upper right corner of the program window. The number of items to import will be visible inside the button (for example Import 5 selected).
If you need to import all the new photos taken with the iPhone that have not yet been synced to the Mac, press the button Import all new items.
Step 7. Go to the Last Import tab
It is located on the left side of the program window. The complete list of all the items just imported will be displayed.
Method 3 of 3: Use iCloud Photo Library
Step 1. Make sure you have enough storage space
This method allows you to synchronize the images on the iPhone with your iCloud account, so that they can then be downloaded to your computer without any problem. For this process to work, the total size of the items to be transferred must not exceed the amount of free space still present in iCloud. Each Apple account has 5GB of free iCloud space available, but if you need to extend this limit, you can purchase more GB before continuing.
Step 2. Launch the iPhone Settings app by tapping the icon
It is characterized by a gray gear and is located on the Home of the device.
Step 3. Tap your Apple ID
This section is located at the top of the "Settings" menu and contains your username and the image you have chosen for the profile (in case you have set an image).
If you haven't logged into your Apple account from your device yet, tap it Log in to iPhone, provide your Apple ID and security password and press the button Log in.
Step 4. Select the iCloud entry
It is located within the second option section of the "Settings" menu visible in the center of the screen.
Step 5. Tap on the Photos option
It's located at the top of the "Apps that use iCloud" section.
Step 6. Activate the "iCloud Photo Library" white slider
moving it to the right.
It will take on a green color
. At this point, all the contents of the device's media gallery will be synchronized with your iCloud account, but only when you are connected to a Wi-Fi network.
- The synchronization process can take several hours, depending on the number of items to be copied, so please be patient.
- If you need to save free space on iPhone, tap the option Optimize iPhone space to compress the images on the device and reduce the space occupied in the memory.
Step 7. Activate the white "Upload to my photo stream" slider
It will take on a green color
. In this way, all the new photos you take with the iPhone will be immediately synchronized with iCloud as soon as the device is connected to the internet.
Step 8. Log in to the iCloud website on your computer
Type the URL https://www.icloud.com/ into the address bar of the browser.
Step 9. Log in to the iCloud website
Type in your Apple ID and security password, then press the → button.
If you are already signed in to the iCloud site, skip this step
Step 10. Click the Photos icon
It features a multicolored pinwheel.
Step 11. Go to the All Photos tab
It is located in the upper left of the page.
Step 12. Select the images you want to download locally to your computer
Hold down the Ctrl (on Windows) or ⌘ Command (on Mac) key while selecting each of the photos you want to download.
Step 13. Press the button to download data featuring this icon
It represents a cloud with an arrow pointing downwards. It is located at the top right of the page. All selected photos will be downloaded to your computer. Depending on your browser settings, you may need to select the destination folder.
