How to Import iPhone Photos to Your Windows 10 PC

The fastest way: use the Photos app built into Windows 10

Windows 10 comes with a Photos app that can pull images directly from your iPhone when you plug it in with a USB cable. Connect your iPhone to your PC with the cable that came with your phone, unlock your iPhone, and tap Trust when prompted. Open the Photos app on your PC (search for "Photos" in the taskbar), click the three-line menu in the top left, select Settings, then Import. The app will show your iPhone as a source. Click it, choose which photos you want to import, and click Import Selected or Import All.

The Photos app stores imported images in your Pictures folder by default, organized into subfolders by date. This method works without installing anything extra and keeps your photos in a location Windows recognizes, so they show up in File Explorer and other programs that look for pictures.

Key Takeaways

Plug your iPhone into your PC with a USB cable, unlock it, and tap Trust to establish the connection.
The built-in Photos app can import directly from your iPhone without downloading additional software.
Windows File Explorer also recognizes your iPhone as a device and lets you drag photos to your PC manually.
If your iPhone does not appear on your PC, restart both devices and check that iTunes or iCloud for Windows is not blocking the connection.
Photos imported to your PC are stored in the Pictures folder and remain there even after you disconnect your iPhone.

Using File Explorer to drag and drop photos

If you prefer to see your iPhone's files directly, you can use Windows File Explorer instead. Plug in your iPhone, unlock it, and tap Trust. Open File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar), and your iPhone should appear in the left sidebar under This PC. Click it to open your iPhone's storage.

Navigate to Internal Storage > DCIM > 100APPLE (or a similar numbered folder). This folder holds your camera photos. Select the photos you want, right-click, and choose Copy. Then navigate to your Pictures folder, right-click, and select Paste. The photos will copy to your PC and stay there after you disconnect.

What to do if your iPhone does not appear on your PC

If you plug in your iPhone and it does not show up in Photos or File Explorer, the most common cause is that you did not tap Trust on your iPhone when prompted. Disconnect the cable, unlock your iPhone again, and reconnect. When the trust dialog appears, tap it. If you already tapped it, try restarting both your iPhone and your PC—this clears temporary connection issues.

Check that you are using the original Apple USB cable or a certified third-party cable. Damaged or counterfeit cables often fail to establish a proper connection. If you have iTunes or iCloud for Windows installed, make sure neither is running in the background, as they can interfere with direct file access. You can close them by right-clicking the system tray (bottom right of your screen) and closing any Apple-related icons.

Importing photos from iCloud instead of directly from your phone

If you do not want to plug in your iPhone every time, you can import photos through iCloud for Windows. Install iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store, sign in with your Apple ID, and turn on Photos in the settings. Your iPhone photos will sync to a folder on your PC called iCloud Photos inside your Pictures folder.

This method works over Wi-Fi, so you do not need a cable. However, it requires that iCloud Photos is turned on in your iPhone's settings (go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos and toggle on iCloud Photos). Photos sync automatically once you set it up, but the initial sync can take hours if you have thousands of photos.

Organizing your imported photos after they arrive

Once your photos are in your Pictures folder, Windows 10 lets you organize them by date, name, or custom folders. Open File Explorer and go to your Pictures folder. Right-click in an empty space, select New > Folder, and create folders by year or event (for example, "2024 Vacation" or "Family"). Then drag your imported photos into the folders where you want them.

You can also use the Photos app to organize. Open Photos, find the imported images, and use the app's built-in tools to create albums or tag photos. Albums in the Photos app are just shortcuts to your actual files, so organizing there does not move the files themselves—they stay in your Pictures folder.

Backing up your photos so you do not lose them

After importing photos to your PC, consider backing them up to an external drive or cloud storage so you have a copy if your PC fails. Plug in an external hard drive, open File Explorer, and drag your Pictures folder (or just the imported photos) to the external drive. This creates a second copy of your photos.

Alternatively, you can use OneDrive, which comes with Windows 10. Right-click your Pictures folder, select Properties, go to the Location tab, and click Move. Choose your OneDrive folder. Your photos will then sync to Microsoft's servers automatically, and you can access them from any device signed into your Microsoft account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import photos without plugging in my iPhone?

Yes, if you set up iCloud for Windows and turn on iCloud Photos on your iPhone. Photos sync over Wi-Fi automatically, but the initial setup takes time. If you want to import photos right away, plugging in with a cable is faster.

Where do imported photos go on my PC?

By default, the Photos app imports to your Pictures folder, organized in subfolders by date. If you use File Explorer to drag and drop, photos go wherever you paste them. You can move them to any folder afterward.

Do my photos stay on my iPhone after I import them?

Yes. Importing copies photos to your PC; it does not remove them from your iPhone. You can delete them from your iPhone later if you want to free up space, but they remain on your PC.

Why does my iPhone say "Trust This Computer" when I plug it in?

Apple requires you to authorize each computer that accesses your iPhone's files for security. Tapping Trust allows that specific PC to see your photos and other data. You only need to do this once per computer.

What if I have thousands of photos and the import is slow?

Large imports can take time, especially over iCloud. If you are using a cable, make sure your PC is plugged in and not in sleep mode. If you are using iCloud, the sync happens in the background; you can close the app and let it continue while you work on other things.

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.