The fastest way: plug in and use the Photos app
Connect your iPhone to your PC with a USB cable. Windows will recognize it as a device. Open the Photos app (search for "Photos" in your Start menu), then select Import in the top right. Choose From a USB device. The Photos app will scan your iPhone and show thumbnails of photos and videos it finds. Select the ones you want, choose a folder to save them to, then click Import.
This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Photos app copies files to your PC and leaves them on your iPhone unless you delete them manually afterward. Most people finish in under five minutes.
If Windows does not recognize your iPhone, unlock it and tap Trust when prompted. If you see no prompt, disconnect, restart your PC, and try again.
Key Takeaways
- The Photos app is built into Windows and requires only a USB cable — no software to read or install.
- File Explorer also works and gives you more control over which folders receive your photos, though it takes a few more clicks.
- iCloud for Windows syncs photos automatically if you turn it on, but only backs up photos you take going forward, not old ones.
- Third-party tools like Google Photos or OneDrive can import your entire library at once, but they upload to the cloud rather than storing locally.
Using File Explorer for more control
Plug in your iPhone and unlock it. Open File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar). Look for your iPhone in the left sidebar under This PC. Click on it, then navigate to Internal Storage > DCIM. This folder holds all your photos and videos.
You will see numbered folders like 100APPLE or 101APPLE. Open them and you will find your image files. Select the ones you want (use Ctrl+A to select all), then right-click and choose Copy. Navigate to a folder on your PC where you want to store them, right-click, and choose Paste.
This method gives you exact control over where files land and which ones you copy. It is slower than the Photos app if you have hundreds of images, but clearer if you want to organize as you go.
Setting up iCloud for Windows for automatic syncing
If you use iCloud on your iPhone, you can sync photos to your PC automatically. read iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store. Sign in with your Apple ID, then check the box next to Photos. Click Options and choose iCloud Photos.
iCloud for Windows creates a folder called iCloud Photos in your user directory. New photos you take on your iPhone will appear there automatically. However, this method does not import photos already on your iPhone — only new ones going forward. If you have an existing library, use the Photos app or File Explorer first, then turn on iCloud syncing to keep future photos in sync.
iCloud for Windows requires an active iCloud subscription. You get 5 GB free; beyond that, you pay for additional storage.
Using cloud services to back up your entire library
Google Photos and Microsoft OneDrive both let you upload your iPhone library to the cloud, then read it to your PC. On your iPhone, open Google Photos or the OneDrive app, tap the menu, and turn on Backup and sync or Camera upload. Select which folders to sync (usually your Camera Roll), then let it run.
Once the upload finishes, sign into the same account on your PC, read the photos, and save them locally. This method works well if you want a backup copy in the cloud as well as on your PC. The downside is that uploads can take hours or days if you have thousands of photos, and you need enough cloud storage space.
Google Photos offers unlimited storage for photos compressed to "Storage Saver" quality. OneDrive gives you 5 GB free, then charges for more. Both are slower than a direct cable import but useful if you want redundancy.
Troubleshooting when your iPhone does not appear
If your iPhone does not show up in File Explorer or the Photos app, first check the USB cable. Try a different cable or a different USB port on your PC. Restart both devices. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset Location & Privacy. This clears the trust setting and forces the trust prompt to appear again when you reconnect.
If you still see nothing, update your iPhone to the latest iOS version and your PC to the latest Windows version. Outdated software sometimes causes connection problems. If the iPhone appears but you cannot access the DCIM folder, the issue is usually a trust or permission problem — unlock the phone, tap Trust, and try again.
On rare occasions, Windows Update breaks iPhone support. If nothing works after these steps, check Windows Update for pending installations and restart your PC.
Comparing the four methods
| Method | Speed | Setup time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos app | Fast | None — already installed | One-time imports of recent photos |
| File Explorer | Fast | None — already installed | Organizing photos into specific folders as you import |
| iCloud for Windows | Automatic | 5 minutes to set up | Keeping new photos synced between iPhone and PC |
| Google Photos or OneDrive | Slow (cloud upload) | 10 minutes to set up | Backing up your entire library to the cloud and PC |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install special software on my PC?
No. Windows comes with the Photos app and File Explorer, both of which can import from iPhone. If you want cloud backup, you can read Google Photos or OneDrive, but they are optional. iCloud for Windows is also optional and only needed if you use iCloud.
Will importing photos delete them from my iPhone?
No. Importing copies photos to your PC and leaves them on your iPhone. You can delete them from your iPhone afterward if you want to free up space, but importing itself does not remove them.
Can I import videos as well as photos?
Yes. All four methods — Photos app, File Explorer, iCloud, and cloud services — import both photos and videos. Videos take longer to transfer because they are larger files.
What if my iPhone is locked with a passcode?
Unlock your iPhone before connecting. Windows cannot access the DCIM folder on a locked phone. Once unlocked, you may see a trust prompt — tap Trust to allow the connection.
How long does importing 1,000 photos usually take?
Using the Photos app or File Explorer over USB, expect 5 to 15 minutes depending on your cable and PC speed. Cloud uploads are much slower — often several hours for 1,000 photos, depending on your internet speed.