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Casonemr's avatar
Casonemr
Copper Contributor
Mar 04, 2026

How can I bulk transfer photos from iphone to pc on windows 10/11?

Hi everyone,

My iPhone keeps nearly 100GB of photos and videos, and I want to bulk transfer them to my Windows PC to free up storage on the phone. The problem is that I’ve never moved such a large amount of data from an iPhone before, so I’m not sure what the safest and fastest method is.

I tried connecting the iPhone to the PC with a USB cable and opening it through File Explorer, but it feels a bit slow and sometimes the transfer stops halfway. Because the photo library is very large, I’m worried about transfer failures or missing files.

Does anyone know a reliable way to bulk transfer photos from iPhone to PC, especially when the total size is around 100GB? Should I use iCloud, a dedicated transfer tool, or some other method?

8 Replies

  • PattyBrown's avatar
    PattyBrown
    Iron Contributor

    Try to use bluetooth wireless trick for transferring photos from iphone to pc in bulk!

  • Jerichoo's avatar
    Jerichoo
    Copper Contributor

    Using a Wi-Fi transfer app is a convenient and effective way to transfer photos from iPhone to PC, especially when dealing with large libraries. Many of these apps are free and designed to make the process simple without needing cables or complicated setups.

    Here's how to transfer photos from iPhone to PC:

    1. Choose a Wi-Fi transfer app. These apps are available for free on the App Store for your iPhone and as desktop programs or web versions for your PC.

    2. Install the app on both your iPhone and your PC. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network for a stable connection.

    3. Open the app on your iPhone and select the photos and videos you want to transfer. Then, initiate the transfer process.

    5. The app will generate a code or establish a connection between your devices. On your PC, accept the transfer request or enter the code provided by the app.

    6. The transfer will begin over your Wi-Fi network. Because Wi-Fi is generally faster and more stable than USB for large data, this method is especially useful for transferring around 100GB of photos and videos.

    7. Once the transfer is complete, you'll find your photos and videos saved in a folder on your PC, ready to be viewed or moved to your desired location.

  • Ignaciojun's avatar
    Ignaciojun
    Brass Contributor

    Transferring a 100GB photo and video library from an iPhone to a Windows PC is a significant task, and your concerns about the process stopping halfway are very valid. The standard method using File Explorer can be unreliable for such a large amount of data because it's not optimized for it.

    Ensuring your PC and iPhone are fully charged and properly connected is a crucial step when free transferring photos from iPhone to PC, especially for large data like 100GB. Here's why and how to do it:

    Why It's Important:

    • Avoid Interruptions: A fully charged device prevents your iPhone or PC from shutting down unexpectedly during the transfer, which could cause data loss or incomplete transfers.
    • Stable Connection: Using a good-quality USB cable and proper ports ensures a stable and fast data transfer, reducing the chance of transfer failures or errors.
    • Prevent Hardware Issues: Power surges or insufficient power can cause devices to disconnect or malfunction during large transfers.

     

    How to Ensure Proper Connection and Charging if transfer photos from iPhone to PC:

    1. Charge Both Devices Fully: Plug your iPhone into a power source or ensure it has enough battery (preferably over 80%). Similarly, connect your PC to power if it's a laptop, so it doesn't go to sleep or shut down.
    2. Use a Reliable USB Cable: Use the original or a high-quality, certified USB cable that supports fast data transfer.
    3. Connect Directly to a USB Port: Plug directly into a USB port on your PC, avoiding hubs or extension cables, which can introduce instability.
    4. Check Connection Stability: Before starting the transfer, ensure your PC recognizes the iPhone correctly:
    5. Unlock your iPhone, and if prompted, tap "Trust" on the device.
    6. Confirm the device appears in File Explorer or your transfer app.
    7. Disable Power-Saving Settings: On your PC, disable any power-saving modes that might turn off USB ports during long transfers.
  • Alfredui's avatar
    Alfredui
    Brass Contributor

    To transfer photos from iPhone to PC using a USB cable, you'll need to use a cable that supports data transfer, such as a USB-C cable or a traditional Lightning-to-USB cable. Here's a step-by-step guide:

    First, connect your iPhone to your PC using the USB cable. Make sure the cable is securely plugged into both devices. Then, wait for your PC to recognize the iPhone. This might take a few seconds.

    Once your PC detects the iPhone, you can use iTunes to transfer photos from iPhone to PC. If you don't have iTunes installed, you can download it from Apple's website. Open iTunes and select your iPhone from the top left corner of the window. Click on the "Photos" tab and select the checkbox next to "Sync Photos from". Choose the source of your photos, such as "iCloud Photo Library" or "Computer", and select the destination, which is your iPhone. Click "Apply" to start the transfer process.

    Alternatively, if you prefer not to use iTunes, you can use the Windows Explorer to transfer photos from iPhone to PC. On your PC, open File Explorer and navigate to the "This PC" or "Devices" section. Locate your iPhone and double-click on it to open its file system. Then, navigate to the "DCIM" folder, which contains your iPhone's photos. You can then copy and paste the photos into a folder on your PC.

    Either way, you'll be able to transfer photos from your iPhone to your PC using a USB cable.

  • Benedictfo's avatar
    Benedictfo
    Copper Contributor

    To transfer photos from iPhone to PC using iTunes, follow these steps:

    Step 1: Connect Your iPhone to PC

    • First, connect your iPhone to your PC using a USB cable. This will establish a connection between your iPhone and PC, allowing you to transfer data between the two devices.

    Step 2: Open iTunes on Your PC

    • Next, open iTunes on your PC. If you don't have iTunes installed, you can download and install it from the official Apple website. Once iTunes is open, select your iPhone from the top left corner of the iTunes window.

    Step 3: Enable Photos Syncing

    • In the iTunes window, click on the "Summary" tab and scroll down to the "Options" section. Check the box next to "Sync Photos from" to enable photos syncing.

    Step 4: Select Transfer Method

    • Select the transfer method you prefer. You can choose to transfer photos from iPhone to PC, or only transfer new photos taken since the last sync.

    Step 5: Choose Destination Folder

    • Choose a destination folder on your PC where you want to save the transferred photos. You can select a folder on your computer or create a new one.

    Step 6: Start Transfer

    • Click on the "Apply" or "Sync" button to start the transfer process. iTunes will copy all selected photos from your iPhone to the chosen destination folder on your PC.

    Step 7: Review and Organize

    • Once the transfer process is complete, review the transferred photos on your PC. You can organize them into folders, create albums, or delete any duplicate photos.

     

    That's it! Your photos are now transferred from iPhone to PC using iTunes.

  • Shmueloon's avatar
    Shmueloon
    Occasional Reader

    Using Windows' Built-in File Explorer to transfer photos from iPhone to PC on Windows 10/11 is a straightforward and free method, especially if you want to free transfer photos from iPhone to PC. Here's how you can do it safely and effectively:

    1. Connect your iPhone to your Windows PC using a lightning USB cable. Make sure the cable is in good condition to prevent interruptions.
    2. Once connected, unlock your iPhone and, if prompted, allow the PC to access your iPhone’s photos and videos. Tap "Allow" if necessary.
    3. On your Windows PC, open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on the taskbar or pressing Win + E.
    4. In the left sidebar, click on "This PC" or "Computer." Under "Devices and drives," you should see your iPhone listed, typically named "Apple iPhone" or similar.
    5. Double-click on your iPhone icon to open it. You will see a folder named "Internal Storage".
    6. Inside "Internal Storage," navigate to "DCIM". This folder contains all your photos and videos stored on the iPhone.
    7. You will see multiple folders inside "DCIM," such as "100APPLE," "101APPLE," etc. These contain your photos and videos.
    8. Select all the folders or specific photos/videos you want to transfer. To select everything, press Ctrl + A.
    9. Right-click on the selected files or folders and choose "Copy".
    10. Now, navigate to a folder on your PC where you want to store the photos (for example, create a new folder named "iPhone Photos").
    11. Right-click inside the destination folder and select "Paste".

     

    This will start the transfer process. Because you are copying directly from the iPhone's storage, it generally provides a reliable way to transfer photos from iPhone to PC.

    Tips for a smoother transfer:

    Ensure your iPhone remains unlocked and connected during the transfer.

    If the transfer feels slow or stops, try disconnecting and reconnecting the cable.

    For very large transfers (like 100GB), consider doing it in batches to reduce the risk of failures.

    Avoid disconnecting the iPhone during the transfer process.

  • EastonJax's avatar
    EastonJax
    Iron Contributor

    iCloud is a convenient way to transfer photos from an iPhone to a PC without using a cable. If you enable iCloud Photos on your iPhone, all photos and videos will automatically upload to Apple's cloud storage and can then be downloaded to your Windows computer. This is one of the best way to bulk transfer photos from iPhone to Windows 10/11 PC as far as I know.

    First, go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Photos on your iPhone and turn on iCloud Photos. After that, install iCloud for Windows on your PC and sign in with the same Apple ID. Enable the Photos sync option, and your iCloud photos folder will appear in File Explorer.

    Once everything is set up, your iPhone photos will start syncing automatically. You can open the iCloud Photos folder on your PC, select the pictures you want, and download them to your local storage. This method works well if you want your photos to stay synced between devices.

    However, the iCloud approach of iphone photo transfer depends heavily on internet speed and available iCloud storage. If you have a large library like 100GB of photos, the upload and download process may take a long time unless you have a fast connection and enough cloud storage space.

  • Windows 10 and Windows 11 includes a Photos app that can automatically import photos from an iPhone.

    The Windows Photos app is one of the easiest built-in tools for bulk transferring pictures from an iPhone to a Windows computer. It automatically detects photos and videos stored on your device and allows you to import them in bulk. This method is especially useful when you want Windows to organize photos by date and avoid duplicate imports, making it convenient for managing large collections.

    How to bulk transfer iphone photos to PC

    1. Use a Lightning or USB-C cable and unlock your iPhone.
    2. When prompted on the iPhone, tap Trust and enter your passcode.
    3. Search for Photos in the Windows Start menu and open it.
    4. In the top-right corner, click Import → From a connected device.
    5. The Photos app will automatically detect photos and videos stored on the iPhone.
    6. You can choose all photos or only selected ones.
    7. Select where the photos should be saved on your PC.
    8. Windows will begin copying the files from the iPhone to your computer.

    Pros:

    • Easy for beginners
    • Automatically organizes photos
    • Avoids duplicate imports

    Cons:

    • Can be slow for very large libraries (100GB+)
    • Sometimes crashes during big imports