How to move photos from your iPhone to your computer
Copying your iPhone photos to a computer is a good way to keep a safe second copy and free up space on the phone. All you need is the charging cable that came with the phone and a few minutes. Nothing is deleted from the iPhone when you copy photos this way. Work through the steps for your computer.
Free human help is at capacity right now. If you want help while you fix this, Ellis, our AI assistant, can help you by phone now. The first 5 minutes are free when you call (928) 272-0355. If you want more time, phone help is $19 one time for up to 30 minutes, used over 14 days. No subscription. Ellis is an AI and can make mistakes.
Refundable anytime: just ask with a reason at joe@adorellc.pro or text 928-272-0355.
Steps
Plug the iPhone into the computer with its charging cable. Use a cable that came from Apple or a good brand, because some cheap cables only charge and do not carry photos.
Unlock the iPhone with your passcode. If the iPhone asks Trust This Computer, tap Trust, then type your passcode again. If you tapped Do not Trust by mistake, unplug the cable and plug it back in to get the question again.
On a Windows computer, install the free Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store first. It lets Windows talk to the iPhone. Then open the Photos app that comes with Windows.
In the Windows Photos app, click Import near the top and choose your iPhone. Pick the photos you want, or select all, then start the import. Windows saves them in your Pictures folder.
If the Photos app does not show the iPhone, open File Explorer, click This PC, then double click Apple iPhone, then Internal Storage, then DCIM. Your photos are in the folders inside. You can drag them to your Pictures folder.
On a Mac, open the Photos app. Click the iPhone name in the left sidebar under Devices. Choose an album if you want, then click Import All New Items, or select some photos and click Import Selected.
Wait until the import finishes before you unplug the cable. A large photo library can take a while.
If you use iCloud Photos, the full size copies may live in iCloud instead of on the phone. On the iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, then Photos, and choose Download and Keep Originals before you import. This needs enough free space on the phone.
If photos copied to Windows will not open, they may be in the iPhone HEIC format. For new photos, open Settings on the iPhone, tap Camera, then Formats, then Most Compatible. Photos will save as regular JPEG files from then on.
Open a few of the copied photos on the computer to make sure they look right before you delete anything from the iPhone.
Apple will never call you about your photos or ask you to install a remote access app. Do not call a phone number from a popup or a search ad that says your photos are at risk.
Common questions
Will copying photos to my computer delete them from my iPhone?
No. Copying with a cable leaves every photo on the iPhone. You choose later whether to delete any of them from the phone.
My computer does not see my iPhone. What now?
Unlock the phone, unplug and replug the cable, and tap Trust if asked. Try a different USB port or cable. On Windows, make sure the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store is installed, then restart the computer.
Why will my iPhone photos not open on Windows?
iPhones often save photos as HEIC files, which some Windows computers cannot open without an extra free add-on. Changing the iPhone camera setting to Most Compatible makes new photos save as JPEG.
Can I move photos without a cable?
Yes. If iCloud Photos is turned on, your photos show up at icloud.com on any computer, and on Windows you can use iCloud for Windows. This uses your iCloud storage.
Can Ellis help me with this?
Yes. Ellis can talk you through each step by phone while you look at your own phone and computer, and will never ask for your passwords or bank details. Ellis is an AI assistant, not a person.
Free human help is at capacity right now. If you want help while you fix this, Ellis, our AI assistant, can help you by phone now. The first 5 minutes are free when you call (928) 272-0355. If you want more time, phone help is $19 one time for up to 30 minutes, used over 14 days. No subscription. Ellis is an AI and can make mistakes.