# How to transfer photos from iPhone to a Windows PC > Two ways to move photos and videos from iPhone to PC: with a cable and the Windows Photos app, or from iCloud if you use iCloud Photos. What to install first and what to do if the PC doesn't see the phone. Source: https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/trasferire-foto-iphone-su-pc Author: SimpleBuild, Build simple. Deliver value. Category: iPhone and Android Procedure verified on: 2026-09-29 The simplest way is a cable: install the **Apple Devices** app from the Microsoft Store, connect the iPhone, unlock it and tap **Trust**. Then on the PC open the **Photos** app, choose **Import** and select the iPhone. If you use **iCloud Photos**, you can download the photos from iCloud instead, with no cable. ## Before you start - **A cable that carries data.** Microsoft points out that not every USB cable transfers files: some only charge. If the PC doesn't see the phone, the cable is the first suspect. - **The Apple Devices app.** Apple says to install it from the Microsoft Store before connecting the iPhone. It's free. - **Space on the PC.** Years of photos and videos can take up many gigabytes. If the disk is full, first read how to [free up disk space in Windows](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/liberare-spazio-disco-windows). - **Is iCloud Photos on?** Check on the iPhone in **Settings**, by tapping your name, then **iCloud** and **Photos**. If it's on and the iPhone keeps only space-saving versions of your photos, Apple warns that before importing them by cable you have to download the full-resolution originals to the iPhone. In that case the iCloud route, further down, is usually better. ## With a cable and the Windows Photos app This works on Windows 11 and Windows 10. 1. Install the **Apple Devices** app from the Microsoft Store. 2. Connect the iPhone to the PC with the cable. 3. Turn on the iPhone and unlock it with your passcode. Microsoft explains that the PC can't find the phone if it's locked. 4. If "Trust This Computer?" appears on the iPhone, tap **Trust** or **Allow**. ![iPhone screen with the question Trust This Computer? and the Don't Trust and Trust buttons.](https://simplebuild.it/assets/img/tutorial/trasferire-foto-iphone-su-pc-autorizza-en-760.webp) (Image: [Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/108643)) 5. On the PC select the **Start** button and then **Photos**, to open the Photos app. 6. Select **Import**, then the connected device, and follow the instructions. 7. Pick which photos to import and which folder to save them in. Give it a few moments: the first time, the PC takes a while to read the whole camera roll. 8. When it's done, open the folder you chose and check a few photos and videos before unplugging the cable. Keep the iPhone connected until the import is finished. ## From iCloud, without a cable If **iCloud Photos** is on on the iPhone, your photos are already in iCloud and you can get them from there. ### With iCloud for Windows 1. Install and open **iCloud for Windows** and sign in with your Apple Account. 2. Click the button to the right of **iCloud Photos** and turn on **iCloud Photos**. 3. Open **File Explorer** and click **iCloud Photos**. 4. Double-click a photo or video to download and view it. To select more than one, hold down the **Ctrl** key while you click. Downloaded photos end up in the folder `C:\Users\[user name]\Pictures\iCloud Photos\Photos`. ### From the iCloud website If you only need a few photos and don't want to install anything: 1. Go to icloud.com/photos and sign in with your Apple Account. 2. Click the photos or videos you need. To select more than one, hold down **Ctrl**. 3. Click the **download** button in the upper-right corner. ## HEIC photos that Windows won't open By default the iPhone saves photos in a space-saving format, HEIC. Some programs on Windows can't open it. You have two options: - **Convert the ones you already have**: the guide on how to [convert HEIC photos to JPG](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/convertire-heic-in-jpg) explains how. - **Have the iPhone take compatible photos** from now on: 1. On the iPhone open the **Settings** app. 2. Tap **Camera**, then **Formats**. 3. Tap **Most Compatible**. From now on the iPhone saves photos as JPEG and videos as H.264. ## After the transfer: making room on the iPhone If you copied the photos to free up memory, you can delete them from the phone. Two warnings from Apple: - If you use **iCloud Photos**, deleting a photo on the iPhone also deletes it from iCloud and your other devices. - Deleted photos stay for 30 days in the **Recently Deleted** album, and until then they still take up space. Other ways to make room are in the guide on how to [free up space on iPhone](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/liberare-spazio-iphone). ## If it still doesn't work - **The PC doesn't see the iPhone.** Unlock the phone and look for the trust prompt. Try another cable that supports both data and charging, another USB port, another computer if you have one. If you hear no chime and feel no vibration when you plug in the phone, check that the charging port isn't dirty. - **You tapped "Don't Trust" by mistake.** Apple explains that the prompt comes back after you reset the **location and privacy** settings on the iPhone. - **Updates.** Apple recommends the latest version of Windows and iOS. - **Some photos are missing.** If you use iCloud Photos, the ones not downloaded to the iPhone don't come across by cable: get them from iCloud as explained above. - **A single copy isn't a backup.** If the PC breaks, you lose the photos again. Read how to [back up a Windows PC](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/backup-pc-windows), and to save the whole phone, not just the photos, how to [back up your iPhone to the computer](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/backup-iphone-su-pc-o-mac). - **If after all these tries the PC still doesn't recognize the iPhone**, the fault may be in the phone's port or the computer's. A technician can test them with other cables and machines and tell you which of the two is the problem. ## Frequently asked questions ### Why do some photos arrive on the PC in HEIC format? It's the format the iPhone uses by default to save space. You can convert them, or tell the iPhone to shoot in JPEG from Settings > Camera > Formats > Most Compatible. ### After copying them to the PC, can I delete them from the iPhone? Yes, but first open a few photos on the PC and check that they display. If you use iCloud Photos, deleting them from the iPhone also deletes them from iCloud and your other devices. ### Do I need iTunes? No. Apple says to install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store; the actual import is done by the Windows Photos app. ## Sources - [Transfer photos from your iPhone or iPad (Apple Support)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/120267) - [Import photos and videos from phone to PC (Microsoft Support)](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/photos/import-photos-and-videos-from-phone-to-pc) - [Use iCloud Photos on your PC (Apple Support)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/108994) - [Set up Photos in iCloud for Windows (iCloud for Windows User Guide)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/guide/icloud-windows/icw9f0ba665f/icloud) - [If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone or iPad (Apple Support)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/108643) - [Delete photos on your iPhone or iPad (Apple Support)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/104967) - [Manage your photo and video storage (Apple Support)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/105061)