How to Import Photos from Your iPhone to Windows 10

The fastest way: connect your iPhone and use the Photos app

Plug your iPhone into your Windows 10 PC with a USB cable, 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 icon in the top left, then select Settings > Sources > Add a source. Choose your iPhone from the list. The Photos app will scan for new images and let you pick which ones to import.

This method works because Windows 10 recognizes your iPhone as a camera device. The Photos app handles the import automatically — you do not need to install iTunes or any other software. The whole process usually takes two to five minutes depending on how many photos you have.

If your iPhone does not appear in the sources list, disconnect it, restart both devices, and try again. Make sure you are using an official Apple USB cable or a certified third-party cable; cheap knockoffs often fail to establish a proper connection.

Key Takeaways

The Windows 10 Photos app is the simplest method — it recognizes your iPhone as a camera without extra software.
You must unlock your iPhone and tap Trust the first time you connect it to your PC.
File Explorer also works if you prefer to manually select and drag photos instead of using the Photos app.
If your iPhone does not appear, disconnect it, restart both devices, and check that you are using a working USB cable.
Photos import to your PC's Pictures folder by default, but you can choose a different location before importing.

Using File Explorer to manually select photos

Open File Explorer and look for your iPhone in the left sidebar under "This PC." Click on it to see your phone's storage. Navigate to Internal Storage > DCIM > 100APPLE (or a folder with a similar name). This folder holds all your photos and videos.

Select the photos you want by clicking one, then holding Ctrl and clicking others. Right-click and choose Copy. Navigate to your Pictures folder (or any folder where you want to store them), right-click, and select Paste. The files will copy to your PC.

This method gives you more control — you can pick individual photos instead of importing everything at once. It is also useful if the Photos app is not working or if you want to organize photos into specific folders before they land on your PC.

Choosing where photos land on your PC

By default, the Photos app imports to C:\Users\[Your Username]\Pictures. Before you start an import, you can change this. In the Photos app, go to Settings > Sources, find your iPhone, and click the three dots next to it. Select Import settings and choose a new folder.

If you are using File Explorer to copy photos manually, you have complete freedom — paste them anywhere on your PC. Many people create a new folder with the date (like "iPhone Photos 2024") to keep imports organized.

Whichever method you use, avoid importing directly to your Desktop. Your Desktop folder can slow down Windows if it gets too full. The Pictures folder or a dedicated external drive is a better choice for long-term storage.

What to do if your iPhone does not show up

First, check the cable. Disconnect your iPhone, try a different USB port on your PC, and reconnect. If you have another USB cable available, test with that one — many cables fail silently without showing obvious damage.

Second, restart both devices. Shut down your PC completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your iPhone by holding the power button and sliding to power off. Wait a few seconds and turn it back on. Reconnect the cable and unlock your iPhone when ready — you may see the Trust prompt again.

Third, check Windows Update. Open Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your PC. Outdated drivers can prevent your PC from recognizing your iPhone.

If none of these steps work, try connecting to a different PC if you have access to one. This tells you whether the problem is your iPhone, your cable, or your specific Windows 10 installation.

Importing videos along with photos

Both the Photos app and File Explorer import videos the same way they import photos. When you connect your iPhone, videos in the DCIM folder appear alongside your photos. The Photos app will show them in the import preview, and File Explorer will list them in the same folders.

Be aware that videos take up much more space than photos. A two-minute video can be 200 to 500 megabytes, while a photo is usually 2 to 5 megabytes. If you are importing a large number of videos, make sure your PC has enough free space. Right-click your C: drive, select Properties, and check how much free space you have.

If your PC is running low on space, consider importing photos and videos to an external hard drive instead. This keeps your PC running smoothly and gives you a backup copy of your files.

Backing up your photos after import

Once photos are on your PC, they are no longer automatically backed up to iCloud. If your PC fails or the drive gets damaged, those photos are gone. Create a second copy on an external drive or cloud storage.

You can use Windows Backup (built into Windows 10) or copy your Pictures folder to an external drive manually. To use Windows Backup, go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup > Add a drive, choose your external drive, and let it run. To copy manually, open File Explorer, right-click your Pictures folder, select Copy, navigate to your external drive, and select Paste.

Many people also use cloud storage like OneDrive (which comes with Windows 10) or Google Drive. These services sync automatically, so new photos are backed up without you having to remember to copy them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need iTunes to import photos from my iPhone to Windows 10?

No. The Photos app and File Explorer both work without iTunes. Windows 10 recognizes your iPhone as a camera device, so you can import photos using only the built-in tools. iTunes is not required.

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

Your iPhone is asking for permission to share data with your PC. Tap Trust to allow the connection. If you tap Don't Trust, your PC will not be able to see your photos. You only need to do this once per computer.

Can I import photos wirelessly without a USB cable?

Not directly through the Photos app or File Explorer. However, you can use iCloud to sync photos to OneDrive, then read them on your PC. Go to iCloud.com on your PC, sign in with your Apple ID, open Photos, and read what you need. This is slower than a cable but works if your cable is broken.

What happens to photos on my iPhone after I import them to my PC?

They stay on your iPhone. Importing copies the photos to your PC — it does not remove them from your phone. You can delete them from your iPhone later if you want to free up space, but importing does not do this automatically.

Can I import photos directly to an external hard drive instead of my PC?

Yes, if you connect the external drive to your PC first. In the Photos app, change the import location to a folder on the external drive before you start. In File Explorer, you can drag photos directly to the external drive. Make sure the external drive is plugged in and recognized by Windows before you begin.

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.