Skip to main content
    TekSure
    Step 1 of 5
    How-To Guides
    Beginner
    2 min read 5 stepsApril 5, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Transfer Photos from Your Phone to Your Computer

    Get your photos off your phone and onto your computer for safekeeping, editing, or printing.

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.iPhone to Windows PC (with cable)
    2. 2.iPhone to Mac (with AirDrop)
    3. 3.Android to Windows PC (with cable)
    4. 4.Use cloud services (no cable needed)
    5. 5.Use email for a few photos
    1

    iPhone to Windows PC (with cable)

    ~26s
    Connect your iPhone to your PC with a Lightning or USB-C cable. Unlock your phone and tap "Trust" if prompted. Open File Explorer on your PC, click "This PC," and find "Apple iPhone." Open it to browse your photos. Select the photos you want and drag them to a folder on your PC.

    Quick Tip

    You can also use the Windows Photos app: plug in your phone, open Photos, click Import, and select the photos you want to copy.

    2

    iPhone to Mac (with AirDrop)

    ~18s
    On your iPhone, open Photos and select the photos you want to transfer. Tap the Share button (square with arrow), then tap AirDrop. Select your Mac from the list. The photos will appear in your Downloads folder on the Mac. You can also use a cable and the Photos app on Mac.
    3

    Android to Windows PC (with cable)

    ~17s
    Connect your Android phone to your PC with a USB cable. On your phone, swipe down from the top and tap the USB notification. Select "File Transfer" or "Transfer photos." Open File Explorer on your PC and find your phone name. Navigate to DCIM, Camera to find your photos.
    4

    Use cloud services (no cable needed)

    ~16s
    The easiest way for any phone: upload photos to Google Photos (free up to 15GB), iCloud Photos (5GB free), or OneDrive (5GB free). Then access those same photos from your computer by going to the service website (photos.google.com, icloud.com, or onedrive.com) and downloading them.
    5

    Use email for a few photos

    ~22s
    For just 1-5 photos: open your email app, create a new message to yourself, attach the photos, and send. Then open that email on your computer and download the attachments. This is the simplest method but only works for small numbers of photos (most email limits attachments to 25MB).

    Quick Tip

    For large numbers of photos (100+), cloud services or a USB cable are much faster than email.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: How to Transfer Photos from Your Phone to Your Computer

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    photos
    transfer
    backup
    iphone
    android
    beginner

    Official Resources

    GCFGlobalHow-To GeekAARP Technology Tips

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

    ← Previous

    How to Set Up a Brand New Android Phone

    Next →

    Understanding Cloud Storage: iCloud, Google Drive, and OneDrive

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    Our verified technicians can fix this issue for you — remotely or in person.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Related Guides

    How (and Why) to Keep Your Devices Updated

    A plain-English guide to updating Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android, and your browser — and why skipping updates is risky.

    3 min read

    How to Set Up Netflix, YouTube, and Streaming Apps on Your TV

    Step-by-step guide to watching Netflix, YouTube, BBC iPlayer, and more on your Smart TV, Apple TV, Fire Stick, or Chromecast.

    3 min read

    How to Record Your Screen

    Capture what's happening on your screen — great for showing a tech problem, creating a tutorial, or saving a video call moment.

    3 min read

    How to Transfer Photos from Your Phone to Your Computer — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure