How to Transfer Photos from iPhone
to PC Windows or Mac 2026
USB, iCloud or Google Photos: 3 simple and safe methods to move all your images to your computer. Updated February 2026.
3 safe methods · 2026 ✅
Transfer photos iPhone PC 2026 — this guide covers every method. Whether you call it “transfer photos from iPhone to PC 2026” or just moving pictures to your computer, Whether you want to back up hundreds of holiday shots or simply free up space on your phone, we show you the 3 best ways to transfer photos iPhone PC 2026 — Windows or Mac — without risking losing a single image, updated for February 2026.
1. Transfer Photos iPhone PC 2026: Windows via USB
The fastest way to transfer photos iPhone PC 2026 on Windows is the Lightning or USB-C cable. No extra apps needed — Windows recognises it as a camera automatically.
Step by step: Windows 10 and 11
- Connect your iPhone to the PC with the USB cable (Lightning or USB-C).
- Tap “Trust” on the phone when the “Trust This Computer?” prompt appears.
- Open File Explorer (⊞ + E) and find your iPhone under “This PC”.
- Navigate to Internal Storage → DCIM to see all photo folders.
- Select all (Ctrl + A) and copy-paste (Ctrl + C → Ctrl + V) into a folder on your PC.
2. Transfer Photos iPhone PC 2026: Mac via USB
On Mac, the process to transfer photos iPhone PC 2026 is even smoother — the built-in Photos app detects your iPhone automatically the moment you plug it in.
Step by step: Mac
- Connect your iPhone to the Mac with the USB cable and tap “Trust” on your phone.
- The Photos app opens automatically. If not, open it from the Dock.
- You’ll see your iPhone listed under “Devices” in the sidebar.
- Click “Import All” to copy everything, or select individual photos and click “Import Selected”.
- Choose whether to delete photos from the iPhone after import or keep them.
3. Download Photos from iCloud.com in Your Browser
This method needs no cables at all: log in to iCloud from any browser on any PC or Mac and download your photos directly. It works anywhere you have internet.
Step by step: iCloud.com
- Open your browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari) and go to icloud.com/photos.
- Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
- Select the photos you want (Ctrl + click for multiple, Ctrl + A for all).
- Click the ⬇️ Download button in the top-right corner.
- Your photos download as a ZIP file — extract it and you’ll find all your images.
4. Google Photos: Best Way to Transfer Photos iPhone PC 2026
Google Photos is the method we recommend most for transfer photos iPhone PC 2026: 15 GB free, automatic backup from iPhone, and you can download everything from any browser on any PC.
How to set up Google Photos on iPhone
- Download Google Photos from the App Store (free).
- Sign in with your Google account.
- Enable Backup — photos will upload automatically when you’re on Wi-Fi.
- On PC, go to photos.google.com, select photos and click “Download”.
- 15 GB free (3× more than iCloud)
- Automatic background backup
- Accessible from any browser, PC or Android device
- Smart search by location, face and objects
5. Method Comparison: Transfer Photos iPhone to PC 2026
| Method | Speed | Cost | Cable needed? | Compatibility | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🔌 USB (Windows) | ✅ Very fast | Free | Yes | Windows 10/11 | Large transfers |
| 🔌 USB (Mac/Photos) | ✅ Very fast | Free | Yes | macOS 10.15+ | Full Mac backup |
| ☁️ iCloud.com | Medium | 5 GB free | No | All browsers | A few photos anywhere |
| 📷 Google Photos | Medium | ✅ 15 GB free | No | All devices | Automatic backup |
| 📡 AirDrop | ✅ Fast | Free | No | Mac only | Quick few photos |
6. FAQ — Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC 2026
Why doesn’t my PC recognise my iPhone when I plug it in?
First make sure you tap “Trust” on the phone when the prompt appears. If the problem continues, install or update iTunes for Windows (which includes the iPhone drivers) or try a different USB cable.
How do I open HEIC photos on Windows?
Install the free “HEIF Image Extensions” from the Microsoft Store. Alternatively, change your iPhone camera settings: Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible to save photos as JPG instead of HEIC from now on.
Can I transfer photos without losing quality?
Yes. A USB cable always transfers photos at full original quality. Google Photos in “Original quality” mode keeps them intact too (but uses more storage). iCloud always preserves original quality by design.
How do I transfer photos from iPhone to PC without iTunes?
On Windows 10 and 11 you no longer need iTunes for photos. Plug in the cable, tap “Trust” on the phone, then open File Explorer and browse to your iPhone under “This PC” — it works just like a USB flash drive.
How many photos can I transfer via USB at once?
There’s no limit. You can select and copy thousands of photos in one go with Ctrl + A. Transfer speed depends on quantity: 1,000 photos at 3 MB each (about 3 GB) takes roughly 5–10 minutes over USB 3.0.
Conclusion
Now you know every way to transfer photos from iPhone to PC 2026. Each method to transfer photos iPhone PC 2026 has its strengths: USB cable for maximum speed, iCloud for wireless on Mac, and Google Photos for automatic multi-platform backup. Whichever method you choose, your photos will be safely on your computer.
Next step: once your photos are transferred, do a full iCloud backup of your iPhone to protect your messages and apps too. For more details, visit Apple’s official guide on transferring photos.
☁️ Want a full iPhone backup on iCloud?
Follow the step-by-step guide to keep all your data safe.