Can I Move Pictures From the iPhone to a Windows Desktop?

Transferring photos from your iPhone to your desktop takes just minutes and a few mouse clicks.
... Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images

The high quality of the camera in the iPhone has made it easier than ever to capture pictures of everyday life, and while there are a large number of services to share photos online, how to get them onto your desktop computer is not always obvious. However, the various versions of Windows all offer an automated process to transfer photos from your iPhone to your PC.

  • iPhone USB sync cable

1 For Windows 8

2 Connect your iPhone

Connect your iPhone to the computer using the USB sync cable.

3 Click the notification

Click the notification stating “Tap to choose what happens with this device,” then click “Import photos and videos” from the options that display.

4 Select the photos

Select the photos you want to transfer from your iPhone, then click the “Import” button to begin the transfer.

5 For Windows Vista and Windows 7

6 Connect your iPhone-2

Connect your iPhone to the computer using the USB sync cable and wait for the AutoPlay dialog box to launch.

7 Click Import Pictures

Click “Import Pictures and videos” from the AutoPlay dialog box.

8 Input

Input a description to tag the images if you desire, then click the “Import” button to begin the transfer.

9 For Windows XP

10 Connect your iPhone-3

Connect your iPhone to the computer using the USB sync cable, then click “Next” on the Scanner and Camera Wizard dialog box.

11 Select the images

Select the images you want to transfer and click “Next.”

12 Choose a name for the images

Choose a name for the images, if desired. You may also change the default destination folder from this screen if you wish.

13 Click Next

Click “Next” to begin the transfer.

  • Windows XP cannot import files larger than 500 MB using the Camera and Scanner Wizard. While photos will be under this limit, videos may be larger. You will have to navigate to your device under My Computer and drag and drop these files to your desktop.
  • To free up space on your iPhone, check the “Erase after importing” box. This will delete the photos from your phone once the transfer to your computer is complete.

Andy Warycka has been writing professionally since 2009. His work has appeared on sites such as SheKnows.com, Match.com, FindersFree.com and other top online properties. He owns a photography business, and holds an Associate of Applied Science in photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

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