How to Send a Video from iPhone to Computer

The fastest way depends on which computer you have

If you have a Mac, the simplest route is AirDrop — hold down on the video in your Photos app, tap Share, select AirDrop, and choose your Mac from the list. The video arrives in your Downloads folder within seconds, and you need nothing but WiFi and Bluetooth on both devices.

If you have a Windows PC, AirDrop does not work. Your fastest options are iCloud.com (upload from iPhone, read on PC), a USB cable plugged directly into your computer, or email if the video is small. Each takes a different amount of time and works best in different situations.

The method you choose also depends on video size — large files can take minutes to upload over WiFi, while a cable transfer is nearly when ready. If you send videos regularly, setting up one method now saves you time later.

Key Takeaways

AirDrop is the fastest method for Mac users and requires only WiFi and Bluetooth, with no setup needed.
Windows PC users can transfer videos via USB cable (fastest), iCloud.com (easiest for large files), or email (best for small videos under 25 MB).
A USB cable plugged directly into your computer transfers any size video in minutes, regardless of your internet speed.
iCloud.com works on any computer with a web browser and stores your video in the cloud, so you can read it later from anywhere.

Using AirDrop on Mac

Open the Photos app on your iPhone and find the video you want to send. Press and hold on the video thumbnail until a menu appears, then tap the Share button (it looks like a box with an arrow pointing out of it).

Tap AirDrop from the share menu. Your Mac will appear in the list if it is on the same WiFi network and Bluetooth is turned on both devices. Tap your Mac's name. The video transfers when ready — you will see a progress indicator on your iPhone, and the file lands in your Mac's Downloads folder by default.

If your Mac does not appear in the AirDrop list, check that both devices have Bluetooth and WiFi enabled. On your Mac, open System Settings, click General, then AirDrop, and make sure it is set to allow AirDrop from Contacts or Everyone. Restart both devices if the problem persists.

Transferring via USB cable on Windows or Mac

Plug your iPhone into your computer using the USB cable that came with your phone (or any USB-C to Lightning cable). On your iPhone, tap Trust when prompted to allow your computer to access your files.

On Windows, open File Explorer and look for your iPhone under This PC. Double-click it, then navigate to Internal Storage > DCIM > 100APPLE. Your videos are stored here as .MOV files. Drag them to a folder on your computer, or right-click and select Copy, then paste them where you want them.

On Mac, the Photos app opens automatically when you plug in your iPhone. Click your iPhone in the sidebar, select the videos you want, and click Import. Choose where to save them, and the transfer begins. Videos imported this way are added to your Mac's Photos library.

A USB cable transfer is the fastest method for large videos because it does not depend on your WiFi speed. Even a 4 GB video transfers in a few minutes over USB.

Using iCloud.com for any computer

Open the Photos app on your iPhone, select the video you want to send, and tap Share. Choose iCloud Photos or Mail to upload it to your iCloud account. If you choose iCloud Photos, the video syncs to iCloud automatically if you have iCloud Photos turned on in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos.

On any computer, go to iCloud.com in a web browser and sign in with your Apple ID. Click Photos, find your video in the library, and click the read button (a cloud with a down arrow). The video downloads to your computer's Downloads folder.

This method works on any computer — Windows, Mac, or Linux — as long as you have an internet connection and an Apple ID. It is slower than USB for large files because the video must upload to Apple's servers first, then read to your computer. For videos under 100 MB, the process usually takes under a minute.

Sending video by email

Open the Mail app on your iPhone, create a new message, and address it to yourself or whoever you want to send the video to. Tap in the message body, then press and hold until a menu appears. Tap Insert Photo or Video, select your video, and send the email.

Most email providers limit attachments to 25 MB, so this method works only for short videos or heavily compressed files. If your video is larger, the email may fail to send, or your email provider may reject it.

When the email arrives on your computer, read the video attachment by clicking it or right-clicking and selecting Save. The video lands in your Downloads folder.

Troubleshooting when transfers fail

If a USB transfer stalls, disconnect the cable, unlock your iPhone, and plug it back in. Make sure you have enough free space on your computer — if your hard drive is nearly full, the transfer may fail partway through. Check how much space you have by opening Settings on Windows (System > Storage) or Mac (About This Mac > Storage).

If AirDrop does not work, the most common cause is that one device has Bluetooth or WiFi turned off. Turn both off and back on, wait 10 seconds, and try again. If your devices are far apart (more than 30 feet), move them closer.

If iCloud.com is slow, check your internet speed by opening a speed test website like speedtest.net. Videos over 500 MB can take 5 to 10 minutes to upload on a typical home WiFi connection. If your upload speed is under 5 Mbps, use a USB cable instead.

Choosing the right method for your situation

Use AirDrop if you have a Mac and want the fastest, simplest transfer with no setup. Use a USB cable if you have a large video or an unreliable WiFi connection — it is always the fastest option. Use iCloud.com if you want to send the video to a different computer later or if you do not have a USB cable handy. Use email only for small videos under 25 MB.

If you send videos regularly, set up iCloud Photos on your iPhone (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos > iCloud Photos) so your videos upload automatically. Then you can read them from iCloud.com on any computer whenever you need them, without plugging in a cable or opening an app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a video larger than 25 MB by email?

Most email providers reject attachments over 25 MB. If your video is larger, use iCloud.com, a USB cable, or a file-sharing service like Google Drive instead. These methods have no size limit.

Why does AirDrop not show my Mac?

Check that both your iPhone and Mac have WiFi and Bluetooth turned on. On your Mac, open System Settings > General > AirDrop and make sure it is not set to Receiving Off. If it still does not work, restart both devices and try again.

How long does it take to upload a video to iCloud?

Upload time depends on your internet speed and video size. A 100 MB video on a 10 Mbps connection takes about 1 to 2 minutes. A 1 GB video on the same connection takes 15 to 20 minutes. Use a USB cable if you need the video on your computer right away.

Do I need to unlock my iPhone when I plug it into a computer?

Yes. When you first plug in your iPhone, you must unlock it and tap Trust to allow your computer to access your files. After that, you can leave it locked for future transfers.

Will transferring a video delete it from my iPhone?

No. Transferring a video to your computer creates a copy. The original stays on your iPhone until you delete it manually from the Photos app.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.