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 open a notification. Tap Trust on your iPhone screen when prompted—this lets your computer access the photos. Open the Photos app on your PC (search for it in the taskbar), click the three-dot menu in the top right, and select Settings. Go to Import settings and choose where you want photos saved, then return to the main Photos window and click Import in the top right. Select From a USB device, check the photos you want, and click Import selected. The transfer usually takes a few minutes depending on file size.

This method works for all iPhone models and does not require any extra software. The Photos app automatically organizes images by date and removes duplicates, so you will not end up with copies of photos you already have on your PC.

Key Takeaways

  • The Photos app built into Windows 10 is the simplest method—no downloads or setup required.
  • You must tap Trust on your iPhone the first time you connect to allow your PC to read the photos.
  • The import process takes a few minutes and automatically prevents duplicate copies of the same photo.
  • If the Photos app does not open automatically, search for it by name in the Windows search bar.
  • File Explorer is an alternative if you prefer to manually select and drag photos instead of using the import tool.

Using File Explorer to manually move photos

Open File Explorer on your Windows 10 PC (click the folder icon on your taskbar). Your iPhone will appear in the left sidebar under This PC once you plug it in and tap Trust. Click on your iPhone name, then open the DCIM folder. Inside you will see numbered folders like 100APPLE or 101APPLE—these contain your photos. 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 where you want to save them (like Pictures or Documents) and right-click to Paste.

This method gives you more control over which photos you move and where they go. It takes longer than the Photos app import because you are moving files manually, but some people prefer it because they can see exactly what is being transferred before it happens.

Troubleshooting when your iPhone does not appear

If your iPhone does not show up in File Explorer or the Photos app after you plug it in, first check that the USB cable is fully inserted on both ends. Try a different USB port on your PC—some ports have connection issues. Unplug the cable, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. On your iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center, tap the Wi-Fi symbol to turn it off, then turn it back on. This sometimes resets the connection.

If your PC still does not recognize the iPhone, restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your PC. If the problem persists after a restart, your USB cable may be damaged—try borrowing a different cable to test. Do not use a cable that is frayed, cracked, or visibly worn, as these can prevent data transfer even if they still charge the phone.

One more step: make sure your iPhone is running a recent version of iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone and install any available updates. Older iPhone software sometimes has compatibility issues with Windows 10.

Transferring photos over Wi-Fi without a cable

If you do not have a USB cable or prefer not to use one, you can transfer photos wirelessly using OneDrive or iCloud. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Photos and turn on iCloud Photos if you have an iCloud account. Your photos will upload to iCloud automatically over Wi-Fi. On your Windows 10 PC, read the iCloud app from the Microsoft Store, sign in with the same Apple ID, and choose to sync photos. Your iPhone photos will read to your PC in a folder called iCloud Photos.

Alternatively, use OneDrive, which is built into Windows 10. On your iPhone, read the OneDrive app from the App Store, sign in with your Microsoft account, and turn on camera upload in the app settings. Photos will upload automatically whenever you are on Wi-Fi. On your PC, open OneDrive (search for it in the taskbar), and your photos will appear in the Camera Roll folder.

Wireless transfer is slower than a USB cable—it can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many photos you have and your Wi-Fi speed. It is useful if your cable is lost or broken, but the cable method is faster for large batches of photos.

What to do after photos are on your PC

Once your photos are transferred, organize them into folders by date or event so you can find them later. Right-click in your Pictures folder, select New > Folder, and name it something like "2024 Vacation" or "January 2024". Drag your imported photos into these folders. You can also use the Photos app to organize them—it has built-in tools to create albums and tag photos by date or location.

Back up your photos to an external hard drive or cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive. This protects them if your PC fails. Plug in an external drive, open File Explorer, and drag your photo folders onto the drive. Or upload them to cloud storage by right-clicking the folder and selecting Share > OneDrive or another service.

Transferring videos from iPhone to PC

Videos transfer the same way as photos using either the Photos app or File Explorer. They appear in the same DCIM folders and can be imported or copied alongside your photos. Be aware that videos take up much more space than photos—a one-minute video can be 100 to 400 MB depending on quality. If you have many videos, make sure your PC has enough free space before you start the transfer. Right-click your C: drive in File Explorer, select Properties, and check the free space listed at the bottom.

If your PC is running low on space, transfer videos to an external hard drive instead of your main drive. Plug in the external drive, open File Explorer, and drag video files directly onto it. This frees up space on your PC while keeping your videos safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy software to transfer photos from iPhone to PC?

No. Windows 10 includes the Photos app and File Explorer, which are free and built in. You do not need to read or purchase anything. If you prefer cloud storage like OneDrive or iCloud, those services are also free for basic use, though they may charge for extra storage space.

Will transferring photos delete them from my iPhone?

No. Copying or importing photos to your PC leaves them on your iPhone. If you want to delete them from your iPhone after transfer to free up space, you must delete them manually in the Photos app on your iPhone. The transfer process never removes photos from your phone.

What if my iPhone says "Trust This Computer" but nothing happens?

Tap Trust again and wait a few seconds. If the dialog closes without responding, unplug the cable and plug it back in. Make sure you are tapping the Trust button on your iPhone screen, not clicking something on your PC. If it still does not work, restart both devices and try again.

Can I transfer photos from multiple iPhones to the same PC?

Yes. Plug in the first iPhone, transfer its photos to a folder with its name or date, then unplug it. Plug in the second iPhone and repeat the process, saving its photos to a different folder. The Photos app and File Explorer will recognize each device separately.

How long does it take to transfer 1000 photos?

Using a USB cable and the Photos app, 1000 photos typically transfer in 5 to 15 minutes depending on your PC speed and cable quality. Over Wi-Fi, the same transfer can take 30 minutes to an hour. The time also depends on photo file size—newer iPhones with higher resolution cameras produce larger files that take longer to move.