Getting pictures off an iPhone and onto a computer can be a daunting task that is essential to many users. For those who have accumulated numerous photos over time, transferring them to a computer or other device has become essential. Some may require pictures from their iPhones for work or personal reasons, such as creating invoices or sharing memories. In this guide, we’ll provide you with several methods you can use to get pictures off your iPhone and onto a computer.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Getting Pictures off iPhone to Computer:
The challenge of getting pictures off the iPhone and onto a computer is that, unlike Android, iOS doesn’t allow file transfers to external devices easily. Additionally, iCloud photo sharing isn’t the best solution for those who need the highest resolution possible. Some programs may provide a solution, but they may be complicated and may only provide specific functions.
Things You Should Prepare for
The following are essential things you should prepare for getting pictures off your iPhone to the computer.
- iPhone USB cable
- The computer you want to transfer your photos to
- iTunes software (if transferring photos between Apple devices)
Method 1: Use Windows File Explorer to Transfer
Using Windows File Explorer to transfer pictures from iPhone to computer is one of the most straightforward methods. This method is ideal for those looking for a quick and easy transfer of photos from their device.
Steps:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
- Unlock your iPhone and tap ‘Trust This Computer’, if the option appears.
- Open Windows File Explorer on your computer.
- Select your iPhone’s icon that appears in Windows File Explorer.
- Select "Internal Storage" -> "DCIM" and all your photos and videos will be displayed there.
- Drag and drop the pictures you want to transfer from your iPhone to the desired folder on your computer.
Pros:
- Quick and easy method
- Works for both MAC and Windows PC
- Doesn’t require any extra software or app downloads
Cons:
- Can only transfer photos to a computer and not to other devices like printers / NAS
- It can be difficult to single out photos on the iPhone with this method.
- Your iPhone should be trusted
Method 2: Use Photos App on a Mac to Transfer
Using the Photos app on Mac is another simple way to transfer photos or videos from iPhone to Mac. The Photos app is ideal for transferring large amounts of photos and videos at once.
Steps:
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable
- If the“Photos” app doesn’t open automatically, launch it
- Click on the iPhone icon on the top left corner of the Photos app
- Select the pictures that you wish to import
- Click the "Import Selected" button on the top-right corner and choose your destination folder.
Pros:
- Quick and easy method
- Doesn’t require any extra software or app downloads
- photos app organizes photos in a clean way
Cons:
- Only works on Mac computers
- Photos app can only import the whole photo album instead of a single photo.
- Only small images can be imported to the mac which would be difficult for editing work
Method 3: Use ICLOUD Photos to transfer
iCloud is a cloud-based photo storage solution for Apple devices. It offers wireless syncing and image sharing with multiple devices. This is a good method for those who want to have access to their photos and videos anywhere while keeping them secure on Apple servers.
Steps:
- Turn on iCloud Photos on your iPhone (go to Settings > iCloud > Photos > iCloud Photos)
- Use the same Apple ID on your computer’s web browser to log in the iCloud.
- Click "Photos" on the iCloud main page and choose the photos you would like to download to the computer.
- Click the download icon on the upper right of the screen.
Pros:
- No cords required
- Provides access to photos from any Apple device instantly
- Works for PC and Mac.
Cons:
- Photos must be uploaded to iCloud before they can be shared and the upload may take some time that depends on the internet connection.
- iCloud has limited storage for free users.
- Downloading from the iCloud doesn’t enable you to provide full resolution images.
Method 4: Use 3rd Party Software like Tenorshare iCareFone
Tenorshare iCareFone is an all-in-one iOS data manager that lets you transfer photos, music, videos, contacts, and other types of files from iPhone to computer and vice-versa. This method is ideal for those who want an all-in-one solution for all their iOS data management needs.
Steps:
- Download and install Tenorshare iCareFone on your computer.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
- Launch Tenorshare iCareFone on your computer
- Choose “Backup and Restore” on the main window, Checkmark "Photos" and click on "Backup"
- Checkmark "Photos" and choose the backup file you want to export.
- Click on the “Export” button on the bottom-right corner and choose the destination folder on your computer.
Pros:
- Allows transferring all types of data, not just photos and videos.
- Can transfer data bi-directionally between computer and iPhone without iTunes
- With iCareFone, the photos taken under HDR mode via iPhone could be exported in full resolution
Cons:
- Requires the installation of third-party software
- iCareFone is not a free software
- Must have sufficient storage space on the computer to perform backups and restores.
Why Can’t I Use AirDrop or Email for photo transfer?
While AirDrop and email are great methods for sharing photos between Apple devices, they may not be the most efficient way of transferring photos to a computer. AirDrop can only transfer photos between nearby Apple devices, and Email doesn’t enable you to share more than 5 photos at a time, making it cumbersome for larger photo collections. Therefore, it is recommended to choose the best method that suits your situation for getting pictures off the iPhone to the computer.
Additional Tips:
– Before getting pictures off iPhone to computer, make sure there is enough storage space on your computer to store the pictures.
– Back up your iPhone before transferring or importing photos.
– If transferring to a non-Apple computer, make sure that the computer has disk decryption software installed.
5 FAQs about Getting Pictures off iPhone to Computer
Q1: Can you use a third-party cable to transfer photos?
A1: Yes, you can use a third-party cable to transfer photos from iPhone to the computer. However, it is not recommended as third-party cables may not work or may cause damage to your devices.
Q2: Can you transfer photos wirelessly?
A2: Yes, iCloud is one good option for transferring photos wirelessly, but it requires an internet connection and may take some time to upload.
Q3: Can I transfer some photos instead of the whole album using Photos app on Mac?
A3: Yes, you can select specific photos for transfer in the Photos app on Mac by hitting "Shift" key to select a range of pictures or "Cmd" key to select multiple photos.
Q4: Can I only transfer photos using Tenorshare iCareFone?
A4: No, Tenorshare iCareFone can transfer all types of data, not just photos.
Q5: Is it difficult to get pictures off iPhone to computer?
A5: It’s not difficult to get pictures off an iPhone, but some methods may require more effort and knowledge than others.
In Conclusion:
Getting pictures off your iPhone and onto a computer may seem like a challenge at first, but with the methods we’ve shared in this guide, it’s simple and accessible to everyone. As always, make sure to back up your iPhone before importing any photos or videos and choose the right method that suits your needs.
