Can't Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC? [Reasons & Solutions]

You may need to transfer your photos from iPhone to PC when you need to free up space on your iPhone or want to transfer photos to a new device. Many people choose to transfer photos from an iPhone to the computer using a USB cable, but some find they can't transfer photos from iPhone to PC and come across various problems; for example, the Windows Photos app does not recognize the iPhone, some photos are not visible on a PC, and so on. Why is that? Don't worry. You can read this post to solve your problem if you can't import photos from iPhone to PC.

Part 1. Why Can't I Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC?

As the saying goes, to find the right remedy, one must understand the cause. To address the issue of can't transfer photos from iPhone to PC, it's essential to identify the reasons. Why can't I copy and paste photos from iPhone to PC? Here are some possible explanations:

1. Unable to connect via USB:

If the USB drive is damaged or there is a system malfunction, you won't be able to view iPhone photos on your PC.

2. Photos stored in iCloud:

If you have enabled "iCloud Photo Library" and "Optimize iPhone Storage" on your iPhone, some photos may be stored in iCloud, not actually in your iPhone storage.

3. Large data transfer:

If you are importing a large number of photos from iPhone to Mac at once (e.g., 1000 photos), the "Photos" application may freeze during the import.

4. Operating system configuration error:

Due to Windows updates or incorrect installation of Apple components on your computer, file permissions for the photo folder on your computer may have changed.

You May Like: Photos Didn't Transfer to New iPhone? Work It Out with Easy Solutions

Part 2. How to Fix iPhone Won't Import Photos to PC

Now that you know the reasons why photos won't import from iPhone, it's time to take action. This section outlines several methods to help you address this issue. Choose the method that suits your specific situation.

Fix 1. Check the USB Cable and Connection

Sometimes, problems or damages with the device's ports or USB cables are the reasons why you can't import photos from iPhone to Windows 10/11. If Windows Photos does not recognize your iPhone, you can check if your USB cable and the ports are functioning well.

Here are some methods for troubleshooting:

• Use the Apple USB cable. Some third-party USB cables are unable to help you transfer files from iPhone to PC.
• Reconnect your iPhone to the PC, and make sure that the cable is plunged into the PC tightly.
• Connect your iPhone to a different USB port on your PC.
• If possible, connect to another PC to have a try.

Fix 2. Unlock the iPhone and Trust This Computer

When connecting your iPhone to the PC using a USB cable, it's crucial to unlock the screen on your phone and tap "Trust" on the prompt that appears, indicating trust for this computer. If you skip this step, your PC won't recognize your iPhone, and access to your photos will be restricted. If you don't see the "Trust This Computer" prompt, try reconnecting your iPhone or restarting both your iPhone and PC.

Fix 3. Reset Location and Privacy Settings

Sometimes, the location and privacy settings on your iPhone or PC can impact the transfer of your photos. If you can't get photos off iPhone, you can reset the location and privacy settings on your iPhone to restore the default configurations. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone and tap "General".

Step 2. Find and tap "Reset" and select "Reset Location & Privacy".

Step 3. Enter your password to confirm the setting.

Fix 4. Disable iCloud Photos

If you have enabled iCloud Photo Library, your photos will automatically upload to the cloud instead of being stored on your device. Consequently, you won't be able to transfer your photos via a USB cable unless you download them to your device first. To avoid this issue, you can disable iCloud Photo Library or choose to download and keep originals. Follow these steps:

Step 1. On your iPhone, open "Settings", tap on your name, then tap on "iCloud" > "Photos".

Step 2. Turn off the switch for "iCloud Photos", then click "Download Photos & Videos" to download the photos to your iPhone.

Step 3. Alternatively, keep the switch for iCloud Photo Library turned on, and choose "Download and Keep Originals".

Fix 5. Restart Devices

If the "iPhone photos not downloading to PC" or "iPhone photos not showing up on PC" issue persists, you can try restarting. Rebooting your iPhone and PC can resolve minor glitches and errors, restoring your devices to normal operation. Follow these steps:

Step 1. On your iPhone, press and hold the "Power" button, then slide to power off your device.

Step 2. On your PC, click the "Start" button, then choose "Shut down" or "Restart".

Step 3. Wait for a moment, then power on both your iPhone and PC.

Step 4. Reconnect your iPhone to the PC and attempt to transfer photos.

Fix 6. Update Devices

If your iPhone or PC is running outdated software versions, it may have trouble importing photos from iPhone to PC. Therefore, to successfully transfer photos from iPhone to PC, you need to ensure that both the iOS and Windows operating systems are up to date. Here are the steps to update your devices.

For iPhone:

Step 1. Open "Settings", then tap "General" > "Software Update".

Step 2. If updates are available, click "Download and Install", and follow the on-screen instructions.

For PC:

Step 1. Click the "Start" button, then select "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Windows Update".

Step 2. If updates are available, click "Check for updates", and follow the on-screen instructions.

Learn More: How to Transfer Photos from PC to iPhone without iTunes [6 Options]

Fix 7. Install Apple Mobile Device Support

If your system can't recognize your iPhone and can't import photos from iPhone to PC Windows 7, you should check if your PC has installed Apple Mobile Device Support (AMDS). It is a component of iTunes that helps the Windows system recognize iOS devices.

First of all, check if Apple Mobile Device Support is on your computer:

Step 1. Go to "Start" and search for "Control Panel".

Step 2. On the opening window, select "Programs and Features".

Step 3. Search for the "Apple Mobile Device Service Support".

If your PC doesn't install Apple Mobile Device Support, you need to reinstall the latest version of iTunes on your computer since it's part of iTunes.

Fix 8. Restart Apple Mobile Device Support

If you have installed Apple Mobile Device Support on your computer but iOS 17 can't move or copy photos to PC, try to restart the Apple Mobile Device Support. To do this, you should close iTunes on your PC, disconnect your iPhone, and then follow the steps below:

Step 1. Press the "Windows + R" to open the "Run" window.

Step 2. Enter "services.msc" in the "Run" window and click "OK" to open the "Service" window.

Step 3. Locate the "Apple Mobile Device Service" from the list, right-click it and select "Properties".

Step 4. In the "Properties" window, go to the "Startup type" and select "Automatic" from the drop-down menu, then click "Stop" on the "Service status". The AMDS service will be stopped by doing this.

Step 5. Now click the "Start" button to start the service again. Click "OK".

Step 6. Restart your computer, and then try to connect your iPhone to your PC to import photos from your iPhone to your PC again.

Part 3. The Best Way to Import Photos from iPhone to Computer

While the aforementioned fixes address common issues, sometimes a dedicated third-party tool can streamline the photo transfer process. Coolmuster iOS Assistant emerges as a reliable solution, providing a user-friendly interface and efficient photo management capabilities.

It can help you import photos from iPhone to PC selectively or backup all photos to PC with just 1 click. It is the perfect data manager for your iOS device. With it, you can freely import files like photos, videos, music, contacts, SMS, notes, books, and apps from iPhone to PC. Besides, it can transfer data from your computer to your iPhone.

Key Features:

• Transfer photos from iPhone to PC or Mac without any quality loss.
• Backup and restore your entire data on iPhone/iPad/iPod effortlessly with just one click.
• Provide comprehensive support for various file types, including contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, notes, bookmarks, books, calendars, apps, and more.
• Effortlessly import data from your computer to your iDevice.
• Effortlessly modify, add, or remove data information directly on your PC/Mac with complete freedom.

If you can't transfer photos from iPhone to PC, download the free trial version of Coolmuster iOS Assistant on your PC to have a try.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

Here is how to use iOS Assistant to export iPhone photos to your PC:

Video Tutorial:

Words in the End

That's all for the tips on can't transfer photos from iPhone to PC. If not all photos importing from iPhone to PC after trying the solutions in part 2, we highly recommend you trying the Coolmuster iOS Assistant. Download this software and it will make the transferring process simple and fast.

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