The fastest way: use a USB cable and Windows Photos
Plug your iPhone into your PC with a USB cable. Windows will recognize it as a device. Open the Photos app on your PC (search for "Photos" in the Windows search bar), select "Import" in the top menu, and choose "From a USB device". Windows will show you all photos and videos on your iPhone. Select the ones you want, choose where to save them, and click "Import".
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 transfer speed is fast because the cable carries data directly without going through the internet.
Key Takeaways
- A USB cable connected to your PC is the fastest way to move photos, and Windows Photos handles the import without extra software.
- iCloud.com lets you read photos from any browser without installing anything, though you need an Apple ID and internet connection.
- OneDrive and Google Photos both sync photos automatically in the background if you set them up on your iPhone first.
- AirDrop works only between Apple devices, so it will not help you send to a PC.
Using iCloud.com if you do not have a cable
Go to iCloud.com in any web browser on your PC and sign in with your Apple ID. Click "Photos" in the left menu. Your iPhone photos will appear — select the ones you want and click the read icon (a cloud with a down arrow). Your PC will save them to your Downloads folder.
This method requires that iCloud Photo Library is turned on in your iPhone settings. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos and toggle on "iCloud Photos". Wait for your photos to sync to iCloud before downloading them on your PC — this can take minutes to hours depending on how many photos you have and your internet speed.
Setting up OneDrive for automatic syncing
Install the OneDrive app on your iPhone from the App Store. Sign in with your Microsoft account (the same one you use on your PC). Go to the app's settings and turn on "Camera Upload" or "Photos" — the exact name depends on your OneDrive version. Your iPhone photos will now upload to OneDrive automatically whenever you are connected to Wi-Fi.
On your PC, open File Explorer and look for OneDrive in the left sidebar. Your photos will appear there in a folder called "Camera roll" or similar. This method keeps your photos synced across devices, so any photo you take on your iPhone shows up on your PC within minutes. You do not have to do anything after the first setup.
Using Google Photos as an alternative
Install Google Photos from the App Store on your iPhone. Sign in with your Google account. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and go to Settings > Backup and sync. Turn on "Backup and sync" and choose "High quality" or "Original quality" depending on whether you want unlimited storage or your full resolution. Google Photos will now upload your photos automatically.
On your PC, go to photos.google.com and sign in with the same Google account. All your photos will be there. You can read individual photos or entire folders by selecting them and clicking the read icon. Google Photos stores 15 GB free with a Google account; beyond that, you pay for additional storage.
What to do if your iPhone is not recognized
If Windows does not detect your iPhone when you plug it in, try a different USB cable first — the cable may be damaged. If a different cable does not work, restart both your iPhone and your PC. Disconnect the iPhone, restart it, then plug it back in.
If Windows still does not recognize it, check that you tapped "Trust" on your iPhone when the prompt appeared. If you missed it, unplug the cable, go to Settings > General > Reset on your iPhone, and tap "Reset Location & Privacy". Plug the cable back in and tap "Trust" when prompted. You may also need to update iTunes on your PC — go to the Microsoft Store and search for "iTunes" to install the latest version.
Comparing the four methods
| Method | Speed | Setup time | Requires internet | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB cable + Windows Photos | Fastest | None | No | Moving many photos at once |
| iCloud.com | Medium | None | Yes | No cable available |
| OneDrive auto-sync | Slow (background) | 5 minutes | Yes | Ongoing syncing |
| Google Photos auto-sync | Slow (background) | 5 minutes | Yes | Ongoing syncing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send photos wirelessly without a cable?
Yes. iCloud.com, OneDrive, and Google Photos all work wirelessly. iCloud.com is fastest if you just need to read a few photos right now. OneDrive and Google Photos are better if you want photos to sync automatically every time you take a new photo.
Do I lose the photos from my iPhone after sending them to my PC?
No. Sending or syncing photos to your PC does not remove them from your iPhone. They stay on your iPhone unless you manually delete them. If you want to free up space on your iPhone after backing up, you can delete the photos yourself in the Photos app.
What if I only want to send one or two photos?
Use iCloud.com or the USB cable method. Both let you pick individual photos. If you set up OneDrive or Google Photos, they will sync all new photos automatically, which is overkill if you only need to move a couple.
Does the USB cable method work with all versions of Windows?
Windows Photos works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you have an older version of Windows, you may need to install iTunes from the Microsoft Store first, then use iTunes to import photos instead of the Photos app.
Why is my iPhone not showing up in File Explorer?
iPhones do not appear as regular drives in File Explorer the way Android phones do. Use Windows Photos, iCloud.com, or OneDrive instead. These are the standard ways Windows transfers photos from iPhones.