How to Transfer Photos from Phone to Computer
Transfer photos from your iPhone or Android phone to your Windows or Mac computer.
Steps
- 1
Connect your phone to your computer
using the USB cable that came with your phone charger.
- 2
Unlock your phone
and tap "Allow" or "Trust" when the prompt asks to share data with the computer.
- 3
On Windows
, open File Explorer and click your phone name under "This PC." Your photos appear in the DCIM folder.
- 4
On Mac
, open the Photos app and your phone appears in the sidebar. Click "Import" to select and transfer photos.
- 5
Select the photos
you want to copy and drag them to a folder on your computer. Eject your phone before unplugging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer photos without a cable?Show
Yes, use Google Photos, iCloud, or AirDrop to send photos wirelessly from your phone to your computer.
Why is my computer not detecting my phone?Show
Make sure your phone is unlocked and the cable supports data transfer. Some charging cables only charge and do not transfer data.
Can I transfer photos to an external hard drive?Show
Yes, connect the hard drive to your computer first, then copy photos from your phone to the hard drive folder.
Do I need special software to transfer photos?Show
Most computers detect phones automatically. On Windows you may need iTunes for iPhone connections on older versions.
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Written by the HowToDoStuff.online editorial team. Last updated .