The fastest way: plug in and use Photos

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 the Windows search bar), click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, then select Import. Choose From a USB device, select the iPhone from the list, and click Import Selected or Import All New Items. Photos will copy to your PC's Pictures folder by default.

This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. You may see a prompt on your iPhone asking whether to trust this computer — tap Trust to proceed. The import usually takes a few minutes depending on how many photos you have.

If the Photos app does not recognize your iPhone, try a different USB cable or USB port. Some cables are charge-only and do not transfer data. If you still see nothing, restart both devices and try again.

Key Takeaways

  • The Photos app is built into Windows and requires only a USB cable and one click to import all photos at once.
  • File Explorer lets you manually select which photos to move and choose exactly where they land on your PC.
  • iCloud syncs photos wirelessly if you have an iCloud account, but uploads only new photos taken after you turn it on.
  • You must tap Trust on your iPhone the first time you connect to a new PC, or the connection will not work.
  • If your iPhone does not appear in File Explorer or Photos, try a different USB cable or restart both devices.

Using File Explorer for more control

Connect your iPhone with a USB cable and tap Trust on the phone when prompted. Open File Explorer (press Windows key + E), and look for your iPhone in the left sidebar under This PC. Click it to open the device view.

Navigate to Internal Storage > DCIM > 100APPLE (or a similar numbered folder). This folder holds all your photos. Select the ones you want — use Ctrl+A to select all, or Ctrl+click individual photos. Right-click and choose Copy. Navigate to your Pictures folder (or any folder you prefer), right-click, and choose Paste.

File Explorer gives you the most control. You can see exactly which photos are on your phone, move only the ones you want, and choose the destination folder. The downside is that it takes longer if you have hundreds of photos.

Moving photos through iCloud

If you have an iCloud account on your iPhone, you can turn on iCloud Photos to sync wirelessly. On your iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos, then toggle iCloud Photos on. Choose Optimize iPhone Storage to save space on the phone.

On your PC, read iCloud for Windows from Apple's website. Sign in with the same Apple ID, check the box next to Photos, and click Options. Choose where you want photos to land — typically your Pictures folder. Click Done, then explore. iCloud will begin syncing new photos to that folder.

iCloud syncs only photos taken or added after you turn it on. Older photos already on your phone will not transfer this way. Use the USB cable method first if you need to move your entire photo library.

Troubleshooting when your iPhone does not appear

If your iPhone does not show up in File Explorer or the Photos app, the most common cause is a cable issue. Try a different USB cable, or try a different USB port on your PC — avoid USB hubs if possible. Some cables charge but do not transfer data.

Restart both your iPhone and your PC. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Shut Down, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. On your PC, click the Start menu and select Restart. After both restart, connect again and tap Trust on the iPhone.

If you still do not see the iPhone, check that you are running Windows 10 or later. Older versions of Windows may not recognize newer iPhones. You can check your Windows version by pressing Windows key + Pause/Break or searching for "System Information" in the search bar.

What to do if you see a Trust prompt but nothing happens

If your iPhone asks you to trust the computer but the connection still does not work after you tap Trust, try unlocking your iPhone and keeping it unlocked while the transfer happens. Sometimes Windows needs the phone to be actively available.

You can also try updating iTunes or iCloud for Windows. Go to the Microsoft Store, search for "iTunes" or "iCloud," and click Update if one is available. Outdated software sometimes causes connection problems.

Choosing between USB and wireless methods

Use the USB cable method if you need to move photos quickly or if you have a large library. It is faster than wireless and does not require an iCloud account. The Photos app is the simplest choice; File Explorer is better if you want to pick and choose.

Use iCloud if you want photos to sync automatically going forward, or if you prefer not to plug in cables. Keep in mind that iCloud requires an active internet connection and an Apple ID. You also need enough iCloud storage — Apple gives 5 GB free, and photos count against that limit unless you pay for more storage.

Many people use both: USB cable to move old photos once, then iCloud to sync new ones automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need iTunes to move photos from my iPhone to my PC?

No. The Photos app and File Explorer both work without iTunes. iTunes is an older tool that Apple no longer uses for photo transfers on Windows. If you have it installed, you can ignore it for this task.

Why does my iPhone ask me to trust this computer?

Apple requires you to authorize a connection between your iPhone and a new computer for security. Tapping Trust tells your phone it is safe to share data with that PC. You only have to do this once per computer.

Can I move photos without a USB cable?

Yes, through iCloud or by emailing photos to yourself. iCloud is the most practical option if you have an account. Email works for a few photos but becomes tedious for large batches. Both methods require an internet connection.

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

They stay on your iPhone unless you delete them. Moving or copying photos to your PC does not remove them from the phone. You can delete them from your iPhone afterward if you want to free up space.

Can I move videos the same way as photos?

Yes. Videos in your iPhone camera roll transfer using the same methods — USB cable through Photos or File Explorer, or iCloud sync. File Explorer is often faster for videos because you can see the file size before transferring.