How to Move Photos from Your iPhone to Your PC

The fastest way: use a USB cable and Windows Photos

Plug your iPhone into your PC with a USB cable, unlock your phone when prompted, and tap Trust on the screen. Open the Windows Photos app (search for "Photos" in the Start menu). Click the three-line menu in the top left, select Import, then choose From a USB device. Windows will show your iPhone; click it, then click Import selected or Import all new items. Photos will copy to your Pictures folder by default.

This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The transfer speed depends on how many photos you have and your USB cable quality, but most people see 50 to 100 photos per minute. Your iPhone stays connected until the import finishes—do not unplug it early.

If Windows does not recognize your iPhone, restart both devices and try again. If you see a message asking for a driver, your PC may need a Windows update. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates.

Key Takeaways

A USB cable is the fastest and most reliable way to move photos from iPhone to PC, using the built-in Windows Photos app.
You must unlock your iPhone and tap Trust when you first connect it to your PC.
Photos import to your Pictures folder, and you can choose to import all photos or only new ones since your last import.
OneDrive and iCloud are slower but work if you do not have a USB cable or prefer photos to sync automatically across devices.
If Windows does not see your iPhone, restart both devices and check for Windows updates.

Using OneDrive if you do not have a cable

If you do not have a USB cable handy, you can move photos through OneDrive, which is built into Windows. On your iPhone, open the Settings app, tap your name at the top, then iCloud. Turn on Photos if it is not already on. This uploads your photos to iCloud.

On your PC, open a web browser and go to onedrive.live.com. Sign in with the same Microsoft account you use on your PC. Click Upload and select the photos you want to move. They will appear in your OneDrive folder on your PC within a few minutes, depending on file size and internet speed.

This method is slower than USB because it depends on your internet connection. A single high-resolution photo can take 10 to 30 seconds to upload. If you have hundreds of photos, the USB cable method will finish much faster.

Moving photos through iCloud on your PC

iCloud is Apple's cloud storage, and you can access it from your PC to read photos. Go to icloud.com in a web browser on your PC and sign in with your Apple ID. Click the Photos icon. You will see all photos that are stored in iCloud on your iPhone.

Select the photos you want to move by clicking the checkbox next to each one, or click the checkbox at the top to select all. Click the read arrow (usually in the top right), and the photos will save to your Downloads folder. You can then move them to Pictures or any other folder you prefer.

iCloud works well if you have already set up photo syncing on your iPhone, but it requires you to have enough iCloud storage. If your iPhone storage is full, iCloud may not have all your photos. The USB cable method bypasses this limitation because it reads directly from your phone's storage.

Using Windows File Explorer to access your iPhone directly

When you connect your iPhone with a USB cable, it also appears in File Explorer as a device. Open File Explorer (press Windows key + E), and look for your iPhone in the left sidebar under This PC. Click it to see your phone's folders. Navigate to Internal Storage > DCIM (which stands for Digital Camera Images). This folder holds all your photos.

You can copy photos directly from this folder to any location on your PC. Right-click the photos you want, select Copy, then navigate to your Pictures folder, right-click, and select Paste. This gives you more control over where photos land and which ones you move.

File Explorer is useful if you want to organize photos into specific folders as you move them, rather than importing everything to one location. However, the Windows Photos app method is simpler for most people because it handles the organization automatically.

What to do if your PC does not recognize your iPhone

If you plug in your iPhone and nothing happens, first check that you are using an authentic Apple USB cable or a certified third-party cable. Cheap or damaged cables often do not work. Try a different USB port on your PC—some ports have better power delivery than others.

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, click the power icon, and select Restart. After both devices restart, plug in the cable again and tap Trust on your iPhone.

If your PC still does not see your iPhone, check that you have the latest version of iTunes installed. Go to microsoft.com/store, search for "iTunes," and install it if you do not have it. iTunes helps your PC communicate with Apple devices. After installing iTunes, restart your PC and try again.

Choosing between USB, OneDrive, and iCloud

The USB cable method is fastest and most reliable—use it if you have a cable and want to move photos once. OneDrive is best if you want photos to sync automatically between your iPhone and PC without plugging in a cable, though it is slower and depends on internet speed. iCloud works if you have already set up photo syncing on your iPhone and want to read specific photos to your PC.

If you move photos regularly, set up OneDrive or iCloud so new photos sync automatically. If you move photos rarely or in large batches, the USB cable is your best choice. You can also use both methods—for example, use USB for a one-time transfer of old photos, then set up OneDrive for new photos going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install special software to move photos from iPhone to PC?

No. Windows 10 and Windows 11 have built-in tools to recognize iPhones and import photos. You do not need iTunes or any third-party software, though having iTunes installed can help if your PC does not recognize your iPhone at first.

Will moving photos to my PC delete them from my iPhone?

No. Copying or importing photos leaves them on your iPhone. If you want to delete them from your iPhone after moving them to your PC, you must delete them manually in the Photos app on your iPhone.

Can I move videos from my iPhone to my PC the same way?

Yes. The USB cable method, OneDrive, and iCloud all move videos the same way they move photos. Videos take longer to transfer because they are larger files, so expect slower speeds than with photos alone.

What if I have thousands of photos and the transfer keeps stopping?

Try importing in smaller batches—for example, import photos from one month at a time instead of all at once. This reduces the chance of a connection interruption stopping the entire transfer. Keep your iPhone plugged in and do not use it while the transfer is happening.

Can I move photos wirelessly without using OneDrive or iCloud?

Not with built-in Windows tools. OneDrive and iCloud are the main wireless options. Some third-party apps exist, but they require installation on both your iPhone and PC and are usually slower than the methods described here.

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.