How to Import Photos from Your iPhone to Windows 10

The fastest way: plug in your iPhone and use the Photos app

Connect your iPhone to your Windows 10 PC with a USB cable. Windows will recognize the device and ask you to trust it — tap "Trust" on your iPhone screen. 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" and turn on "USB devices" if it is not already on. Go back to the main Photos window, click the import icon (it looks like a folder with an arrow) in the top right, and select your iPhone from the list. Choose which photos you want to import, then click "Import Selected" or "Import All".

The Photos app will copy the images to a folder on your PC — usually in Pictures > Imported Photos. Once the import finishes, you can disconnect your iPhone. This method works for photos taken with the iPhone camera and screenshots, but not for photos you have already deleted from your phone.

Key Takeaways

Plugging your iPhone into your PC with a USB cable and using the Photos app is the simplest method and requires no extra software.
You must tap "Trust" on your iPhone the first time you connect to allow Windows to see your photos.
Photos are copied to your Pictures folder, and you can choose to import all photos or select specific ones.
If the Photos app does not recognize your iPhone, restart both devices and check that your USB cable is working properly.
OneDrive and iCloud are alternatives if you want photos to sync automatically without plugging in a cable each time.

What to do if Photos app does not recognize your iPhone

If you plug in your iPhone and the Photos app does not show it as an option, restart both your PC and your iPhone. Disconnect the cable, wait 10 seconds, and reconnect. Make sure you are using an Apple-certified USB cable — cheap third-party cables often do not work reliably for data transfer.

If the problem persists, open File Explorer on your PC and look for your iPhone in the left sidebar under "This PC". If you see it there, right-click it and select "Import pictures and videos". This method bypasses the Photos app and copies files directly. If your iPhone does not appear in File Explorer either, the cable or the USB port on your PC may be faulty — try a different port or a different cable.

Using OneDrive to sync photos automatically

If you do not want to plug in your iPhone every time, you can use OneDrive to sync photos wirelessly. On your iPhone, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Scroll down and turn on Photos. This uploads your photos to iCloud, not OneDrive — but you can then read them to your PC through iCloud.com or the iCloud app for Windows.

Alternatively, use the OneDrive app on your iPhone: open it, go to Photos, and turn on Camera Roll backup. Your photos will upload to OneDrive automatically whenever you are on Wi-Fi. On your PC, open File Explorer, click OneDrive in the left sidebar, and navigate to the Camera Roll folder to see your synced photos. This method keeps your photos in sync across devices without manual imports.

Copying photos through File Explorer

File Explorer is Windows' built-in file browser. Connect your iPhone, wait for it to appear in File Explorer under "This PC", then double-click it. You will see folders including DCIM (where camera photos are stored) and Screenshots. Open DCIM, then the folder inside it (usually named something like "100APPLE"). Select the photos you want by clicking one, then holding Ctrl and clicking others, or press Ctrl+A to select all. Right-click and choose "Copy", then navigate to a folder on your PC (like Pictures) and right-click to "Paste".

This method gives you more control over where files go and lets you organize them as you copy. However, it is slower than the Photos app if you have hundreds of images, because you have to select and paste manually. Use this method when you want to copy only a few specific photos or when you want to rename them as you go.

Using iCloud on Windows to read photos

If your photos are already backed up to iCloud on your iPhone, you can read them to your PC without connecting a cable. Install the iCloud app for Windows from the Microsoft Store (search for "iCloud"). Open it, sign in with your Apple ID, and check the box next to "Photos". Click "Options" next to Photos and choose whether to read all photos or just recent ones. Click "explore", and iCloud will read your photos to a folder on your PC — usually in Pictures > iCloud Photos.

This method works over Wi-Fi and does not require your iPhone to be plugged in. However, it only works if you have iCloud Photo Library turned on in your iPhone settings, and it requires an Apple ID. If you have a lot of photos, the first read can take a while depending on your internet speed.

Troubleshooting common problems

Photos app shows your iPhone but will not import: Make sure you have enough free space on your PC — the import will fail if your hard drive is nearly full. Also check that your iPhone has enough battery (at least 20 percent). If the import starts but gets stuck, disconnect, restart both devices, and try again.

Photos appear blurry or low quality after import: This usually means the Photos app imported thumbnails instead of full-resolution images. Disconnect your iPhone, open the Photos app settings, and look for an option to import original quality. If you do not see one, use File Explorer instead — it always copies the original files without compression.

You see "This device is not recognized" in File Explorer: Your PC may need a driver update. Open Device Manager (search for it in the taskbar), find your iPhone under "Portable Devices", right-click it, and select "Update driver". Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software". If that does not work, try a different USB port on your PC — some ports have better compatibility than others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install iTunes to import photos from my iPhone?

No. The Photos app and File Explorer both work without iTunes. iTunes is for managing music and apps, not photos. If you already have iTunes installed, it will not interfere with photo imports.

Can I import photos if my iPhone is locked?

You must unlock your iPhone at least once after connecting it to your PC. After that, you can lock it and the import will continue. If you lock it before trusting the PC, the import will pause until you unlock it again.

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

Importing copies photos to your PC — it does not delete them from your iPhone. Your photos stay on your phone until you manually delete them. This means you can safely import without losing anything.

Can I import videos from my iPhone the same way?

Yes. The Photos app, File Explorer, and iCloud all import videos along with photos. Videos take up more space, so make sure your PC has enough room before importing a large number of them.

Why does my iPhone show as a camera in File Explorer instead of a phone?

This is normal — Windows treats iPhones as cameras when they are connected via USB. You can still access all your photos and videos through the DCIM folder. If you want to manage your iPhone like a regular device, use iTunes or the Finder on a Mac instead.

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.