How to Transfer iPhone or iPad Photos to Windows

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Transferring videos to your PC can be useful for many reasons.

  • Create a backup of your videos on your PC.
  • Edit you videos in an advanced editor.
  • Share your videos on social media.
Android plugged into PC

This guide will walk you though importing your videos from your iOS device to your Windows PC.

2. Install iTunes

iTunes needs to be installed in order for your iOS device to be able to work with a computer running Windows. This is to provide the drivers necessary for Windows to be able to communicate with the iOS device. You do not have to use the iTunes application after it is installed if you do not wish to.

  1. Open your browser. In the address bar at the top, type https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/, then press Enter.
Address bar with address filled in, highlighted.

Windows 10

  1. Select the Get it from Microsoft button.
Apple iTunes page with Get it from Microsoft button highlighted.
  1. A Microsoft Store window will open, showing iTunes. Select Get.
Microsoft Store showing iTunes, with Get button highlighted.
  1. If you want, you may choose to Launch iTunes now, or Pin to Start so it's easier to get to later.
Microsoft Store iTunes installed with Launch and Pin to Start buttons highlighted.

Other Windows Versions

  1. Select the Download Now button.
iTunes webpage with Download now button highlighted.
  1. If prompted to run the program during download, select Run. Otherwise, after downloading, run the program.
Download prompt with Run highlighted.
  1. the iTunes installer will open. Select Next.
iTunes installer with Next highlighted.
  1. Review the installation options, then select Install.
iTunes install options with Install button highlighted.
  1. Windows will ask permission to install. Select Yes.
User Account Control with Yes highlighted.
  1. During installation, a second permissions prompt may open. Select Yes.
User Account Control with Yes highlighted.
  1. Once installation is complete, select Finish.
iTunes installation complete with Finish highlighted.

3. Version Check

For the next steps, we'll need to determine which version of Windows you're running.

  1. On your keyboard, hold the Windows key then tap Pause/Break.
Keyboard with Windows and Pause keys highlighted.
  1. A System Properties window will appear with your version of Windows.
Windows System properties.
  1. System Properties will also show which edition of Windows you have. Pictured below is Windows 10 Home Edition.
Windows 10 Home edition.

4. Import Using the Photo App

On Your iOS Device

  1. Plug in your iOS device to your computer via the supplied Lightning cable.
iOS device being plugged in using the lightning cable
  1. Authorize your PC to access your iOS device's Photos by tapping Allow.
iOS asking to allow for pc authorization

On Your Computer

  1. If the Photos App doesn't automatically open when you plug in your iOS device click on the Start Menu.
Start Menu
  1. Type Photos in the Search bar.
Photos app being searched for

  1. Click On Photos.
Photos app search selections

  1. In the right hand corner of the Photos App, select Import.
Photos app menu showing Import

  1. Select what you want to import and click Continue.
Windows 10 showing photos listed for import
  1. Click Import to begin importing.
Photos app beginning import

5. Import Pictures and Videos Wizard

On Your iOS Device

  1. Plug in your iOS device to your computer via the supplied Lightning cable.
iOS device being plugged in using the lightning cable
  1. Authorize your PC to access your iOS device's Photos by tapping Allow.
iOS asking to allow for pc authorization

From The Computer

  1. Click on the Start Menu.
Start Menu
  1. Click the Search icon in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
Start Menu search icon
  1. Type File Explorer in the Search bar.
Search bar highlighted with File Explorer typed in the search bar
  1. Click On File Explorer.
Search with File Explorer highlighted
  1. On the left column in File Explorer navigation pane, click on This PC.
This PC
  1. In the list of devices, find your Android device highlight it by left clicking on it.
Devices and drives with Android device highlighted
  1. Right click on the device and click Import Pictures and Videos.
Context menu with Import pictures and videos highlighted
  1. Ensure Review, organize, and group items to import is selected and hit Next.
Import pictures and videos screen with Review, organize, and group items to import and the next button highlighted

  1. Import all new items now will automatically import all new photos without the need to review them.
  2. More options will let you change where pictures are saved, how you want to name them, rotate options, and weather or not to delete files from your device after importing them to you PC.
Import settings window.
  1. Review the items you want to import and then click Import.
Review Photos with import highlighted
  1. The import process will now start.

6. Import Pictures and Videos Wizard

On Your iOS Device

  1. Plug in your iOS device to your computer via the supplied Lightning cable.
iOS device being plugged in using the lightning cable
  1. Authorize your PC to access your iOS device's Photos by tapping Allow.
iOS asking to allow for pc authorization

From The Computer

  1. Click on the Start Menu.
Start Menu
  1. Type Windows Explorer in the Search bar.
Search bar highlighted with Windows Explorer typed in
  1. Click On Windows Explorer.
Start Menu with Windows Explorer highlighted
  1. On the left column in File Explorer navigation pane, click on Computer.
Computer
  1. In the list of devices, find your Android device highlight it by left clicking on it.
Portable devices with Android phone highlighted
  1. Right click on the device and click Import Pictures and videos.
Context menu with Import pictures and videos highlighted
  1. Ensure Review, organize, and group items to import is selected and hit Next.
Import pictures and videos with Import highlighted

  1. Import all new items now will automatically import all new photos without the need to review them.
  2. More options will let you change where pictures are saved, how you want to name them, rotate options, and weather or not to delete files from your device after importing them to you PC.
  1. The import process will now start.