How to Transfer Photos From iPhone to Computer Using a USB Cable

Connect your iPhone with a USB cable and use your computer's built-in photo import tool

The fastest way to move photos from your iPhone to a Windows or Mac computer is to plug in a USB cable, then use the photo import software that comes with your operating system. On Windows, the Photos app or File Explorer will recognize your iPhone as a device and let you select which photos to copy. On Mac, the Photos app or Image Capture will do the same. You do not need to install iTunes or any third-party software — your computer already has what you need.

The process takes a few minutes and works whether your iPhone is locked or unlocked, though you will need to trust the computer the first time you connect. Once you do, the photos stay on your iPhone unless you delete them yourself.

Key Takeaways

Use a genuine Apple USB cable or a certified third-party cable, as cheap or damaged cables often fail to transfer data even if they charge the phone.
On Windows, open the Photos app or File Explorer, find your iPhone in the device list, and select the photos you want to copy to a folder on your computer.
On Mac, use the Photos app or Image Capture to browse your iPhone's photos and import them to your computer's photo library or a specific folder.
The first time you connect, your iPhone will ask you to trust the computer — tap Trust and enter your passcode to allow the transfer.
Photos remain on your iPhone after transfer unless you manually delete them from the Photos app or use the import tool's delete-after-import option.

What you need before you start

You need a USB cable that connects your iPhone to your computer. If your iPhone has a Lightning port (iPhone 8 and earlier, or iPhone X through 14), use a USB-A to Lightning cable. If your iPhone has a USB-C port (iPhone 15 and later), use a USB-C to USB-C cable or a USB-A to USB-C cable depending on your computer's ports. Apple's official cables work reliably, but certified third-party cables from brands like Anker or Belkin also work — avoid very cheap cables, which often fail to transfer data even when they charge the phone.

Your computer needs a free USB port. Windows computers need Windows 10 or later; Mac computers need macOS 10.15 or later. Both operating systems come with photo import software built in, so you do not need to download anything beforehand.

How to transfer photos on Windows

Plug your iPhone into your computer with the USB cable. Your iPhone will show a prompt asking whether you trust this computer — tap Trust on your phone, then enter your passcode. Wait a few seconds for your computer to recognize the device.

Open the Photos app (search for "Photos" in the Windows Start menu). Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, then select Import. Your iPhone should appear in the list of devices. Click it, then click Import again. The Photos app will show all photos and videos on your iPhone. Check the box next to each photo you want to copy, or click Select all to copy everything. Click Import to copy the selected photos to your computer's Pictures folder.

If the Photos app does not recognize your iPhone, try File Explorer instead. Open File Explorer, look for your iPhone in the left sidebar under "Devices and drives", click it, then navigate to Internal Storage > DCIM. This folder holds all your photos. Right-click the photos you want, select Copy, then paste them into a folder on your computer.

How to transfer photos on Mac

Plug your iPhone into your Mac with the USB cable. Your iPhone will show a prompt asking whether you trust this computer — tap Trust on your phone, then enter your passcode. Wait a few seconds for your Mac to recognize the device.

Open the Photos app (look in Applications > Photos or search for "Photos" in Spotlight). Your iPhone should appear in the sidebar under "Devices". Click it to see all photos and videos on your phone. Select the photos you want to import by clicking them while holding Shift (to select a range) or Command (to select individual photos). Click the Import button in the top right, then choose whether to import to your Photos library or to a specific folder. Click Import again to copy the photos to your Mac.

If you prefer more control over where photos land, use Image Capture instead (Applications > Image Capture). Click your iPhone in the left sidebar, select the photos you want, choose a destination folder at the bottom of the window, then click Import. Image Capture also lets you delete photos from your iPhone after importing them by checking the Delete after import box.

Troubleshooting when your computer does not recognize your iPhone

If your computer does not show your iPhone as a device, try these steps in order. First, disconnect the cable, wait 10 seconds, and reconnect it. If that does not work, try a different USB port on your computer — some ports are faster or more reliable than others. If you still see nothing, restart your iPhone (hold the power button and slide to power off, then turn it back on) and restart your computer.

If your iPhone appears but shows a "Trust" prompt that will not go away, or if you see an error message, the cable may be damaged. Try a different cable if you have one. If the problem persists, check that your iPhone and computer are both up to date: go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone, and check for updates in System Preferences (Mac) or Settings (Windows). Outdated software sometimes prevents recognition.

On Windows, if File Explorer shows your iPhone but the Photos app does not, try opening Device Manager (search for it in the Start menu), finding your iPhone under "Portable Devices", right-clicking it, and selecting Update driver. Let Windows search for the latest driver, then disconnect and reconnect your iPhone.

Where your photos end up after transfer

On Windows, photos imported through the Photos app go to your Pictures folder, organized by date. You can find them by opening File Explorer and navigating to This PC > Pictures. The Photos app also keeps a copy in its own library, so you will see them both in the app and in your file system.

On Mac, photos imported through the Photos app go into your Photos library, which you access through the Photos app itself. If you want the files as separate image files on your computer (not inside the Photos library), use Image Capture instead and choose a folder on your desktop or in Documents as the destination.

After transfer, your photos remain on your iPhone unless you delete them. To free up space on your phone, open the Photos app on your iPhone, tap Select in the top right, choose the photos you want to remove, and tap Delete. Confirm by tapping Delete [number] Photos.

When to use alternatives to USB transfer

USB transfer is the fastest method for moving many photos at once, but it is not the only option. If your computer does not have a working USB port, or if you do not have a cable, you can use iCloud Photos to sync photos wirelessly — turn on iCloud Photos in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos on your iPhone, then sign into iCloud on your computer and download them through iCloud.com or the iCloud app. This method is slower for large batches but requires no cable.

AirDrop (Mac only) works for a handful of photos if your Mac and iPhone are on the same Wi-Fi network and Bluetooth is on. Email or cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox work for small numbers of photos but are impractical for hundreds. For a one-time large transfer, USB is still the most straightforward approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to unlock my iPhone to transfer photos?

No. Your iPhone can be locked during the transfer, but you must unlock it the first time you connect to a new computer to tap the Trust prompt. After that, you can lock it and the transfer will continue.

Will the photos be deleted from my iPhone after I transfer them?

No, not automatically. Photos stay on your iPhone unless you delete them yourself through the Photos app. Some import tools (like Image Capture on Mac) offer a "delete after import" option, but it is not checked by default.

What if my iPhone says "Accessory Not Supported"?

This usually means the cable is damaged, counterfeit, or not certified by Apple. Try a different cable. If the message persists with multiple cables, disconnect your iPhone, restart both devices, and try again. If it still fails, the iPhone's charging port may need service.

Can I transfer photos to an external hard drive instead of my computer's main drive?

Yes. On Windows, when importing through the Photos app, you can change the destination folder before clicking Import. On Mac with Image Capture, you can select an external drive as the destination folder. On Mac with the Photos app, you can move photos to an external drive after importing them into your library.

Is it safe to unplug my iPhone while photos are transferring?

No. Wait until the transfer is complete and the import tool shows a success message before unplugging the cable. Disconnecting mid-transfer can corrupt the files being copied.

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.