How To Transfer Photos and Videos from Any iPhone to Windows 10 or 11 PC

If you’re trying to get your photos and videos off the iPhone and onto a Windows 10 or 11 machine, it’s usually pretty straightforward, but there are quirks. The simplest way? Using a USB cable. Works with all iPhones, from the latest iPhone 16 down to older models with iOS 16 or 17 (or even earlier). Here’s what has worked for most—and what might save you some grief.

Preparation Steps

Make sure your iPhone is not about to die. Full batteries or plugged in are safer.
Grab the right cable — USB-C for iPhone 15/16 or Lightning cable for earlier devices.
Check your Windows version — should be Windows 10 or 11. Sometimes older versions act funny.

Step 1: Connect Your iPhone to the PC

– Plug in your iPhone with the cable, obviously.
– If it’s your first time, unlock the phone and tap Trust on the prompt that shows up. It’s like Windows and iPhone need to shake hands to get along.
– Head to Device Manager if needed, and make sure the Apple Mobile Device USB driver is installed correctly (sometimes Windows doesn’t install it properly, and you need to fix that manually).

Step 2: Open File Explorer

– Hit Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
– Look for your iPhone listed under This PC. It might show as “Apple iPhone” or simply “iPhone”.
– On some setups it’s weird—sometimes it only appears after you’ve trusted the device on the iPhone, or after a reset. Just keep reconnecting if needed.

Step 3: Locate Photos and Videos

– Double-click on the device icon.
– You should see an icon for Internal Storage. If not, look for an option like “DCIM” (stands for Digital Camera Images).
– Inside, folder names like 100APPLE, 101APPLE usually hold your photos (mostly HEIC or JPG), and videos (MOV files). Sometimes, it feels like digging through a messy closet, but that’s where they hide.

Step 4: Transfer Files to Your PC

– Select what you want. Ctrl + click on specific files, or Ctrl + A to grab everything in that folder.
– Drag and drop into a folder on your PC—say, Pictures or Desktop. Alternatively, right-click, pick Copy, then go to your destination folder and press Ctrl + V to paste.
– Not sure why, but sometimes this step is finicky on certain setups. It might need a few tries or a reboot of both devices.

Step 5: Disconnect Your iPhone

– Wait until the transfer completes, then right-click your iPhone in File Explorer and select Eject. If it’s still mounted, Windows might not let you unplug it cleanly.
– Unplug the cable. Done.

Extra Tips & Common Issues

– If your device doesn’t show up, double-check that you trusted it on the iPhone (a prompt should have appeared). Also, ensure your driver is installed properly—sometimes, Windows doesn’t automatically do that.
– Try a different USB port or cable—USB-C and Lightning are picky sometimes. Also, avoid cheap or damaged cables, because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.

Conclusion

This method is usually the fastest for quick transfers and works pretty consistently, especially if you keep your cables and drivers in check. It’s not foolproof, but on most setups, it gets the job done faster than fiddling with software or Wi-Fi tricks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any special software to transfer my files?

Nope. Windows File Explorer is enough as long as your device is trusted and drivers are installed correctly.

What if my iPhone isn’t recognized at all?

First, ensure that you’ve unlocked the phone and tapped Trust when asked. If that’s not good enough, try disconnecting and reconnecting, switching cables, or restarting both devices. Sometimes Windows just needs a kick to see the device.

Can I transfer huge files or large batches effectively?

Usually, yes. But be aware that if you’re copying hundreds or thousands of photos/videos at once, it might hang or take longer. Transferring in smaller chunks can keep things smooth. Also, check your storage space—obvious, but sometimes overlooked.

Summary

Use the right cable—USB-C or Lightning—and make sure it’s working well.
Trust the device on your iPhone to allow access.
Open File Explorer and locate the DCIM folder.
Select and drag files into your PC folder.
Eject the device properly before unplugging.

Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Good luck.