How to transfer photos from iPhone to a computer

Photos and videos can quickly fill the available storage on your iPhone. Transferring them to a computer gives you another place to organize your library, create a backup, or share files with people who don’t use Apple devices.

With Documents by Readdle, you can transfer photos and videos from your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC over Wi-Fi. You only need the app on your iPhone and a web browser on your computer.

How to transfer photos from iPhone to a computer over Wi-Fi

Before you start, make sure your iPhone and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

1. Download Documents on your iPhone.
2. Open Documents.
3. Tap the three-dot button in the upper-right corner and select Connect to Computer. You can also find this option under the + button in the main view.

1. On your Mac or PC, open a web browser and go to docstransfer.com.
2. Enter the four-digit code displayed in Documents.
3. Once connected, open Photo Albums in the browser window. If prompted on your iPhone, allow Documents to access the photos you want to transfer.
4. Open the album containing your photos or videos.
5. Select the items you want to transfer.
6. Click Download and choose where to save them on your computer.

When the download is complete, open a few of the transferred files to confirm they were copied correctly. Then tap Disconnect in Documents or close the browser page.

How to transfer photos from a computer to iPhone

You can also use Wi-Fi Transfer to copy photos and videos from your computer to Documents:

1. Connect your iPhone and computer using the steps above.
2. Drag the photos or videos into the browser window. You can also click Upload Files and select them manually.
3. Wait for the upload to finish. The files will appear in Documents on your iPhone.

Files uploaded this way are saved in Documents, not automatically in your Photos library. To add one to Photos, open it in Documents, tap Share, and select Save Image or Save Video.

What to do if Wi-Fi Transfer doesn’t connect

If you can’t connect your devices, check that both are using the same Wi-Fi network. A VPN, firewall, guest network, or network isolation setting may prevent them from communicating.

Try disconnecting from your VPN or switching to another trusted Wi-Fi network, then repeat the connection steps.

How to transfer photos from iPhone to Mac with a USB cable

For a wired transfer to a Mac, use Apple’s Photos app:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable.
2. If prompted on your Mac, click Allow.
3. Unlock your iPhone and tap Trust if asked.
4. Open the Photos app on your Mac.
5. Select your iPhone in the Photos sidebar.
6. Choose the photos and videos you want to copy.
7. Click Import Selected, or import all new items.

How to transfer photos from iPhone to a Windows PC with USB

1. Install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store.
2. Connect your iPhone to your PC with a USB cable that supports data transfer.
3. Unlock your iPhone and tap Trust or Allow if prompted.
4. Open the Photos app on Windows.
5. Select Import, then choose your connected iPhone.
6. Select the photos and videos you want to copy and follow the onscreen instructions.

If you use iCloud Photos with optimized storage, some original files may only be stored in iCloud. Download the full-resolution originals to your iPhone before importing them to a Windows PC.

Before deleting photos from your iPhone

Confirm that the transferred photos and videos open correctly on your computer before removing anything from your iPhone. For important files, keep an additional backup on external or cloud storage.

If iCloud Photos is enabled, deleting a photo from your iPhone also removes it from iCloud and your other devices using the same photo library.

Download Documents for free to transfer photos, videos, and other files between your iPhone and computer over Wi-Fi.