Transfer Files from iPhone to PC Wirelessly or with USB

How can I transfer files from iPhone to Windows PC?

My iPhone is running out of memory, my phone is running slower and slower lately, and I want to import a lot of photos and videos from my iPhone to my computer to save a lot of space. Can anyone tell me how to transfer files from iPhone to PC?

Why need transfer data from iPhone to PC? 

In our daily life, we often need to transfer files from one device to another. If you want to backup important data on iPhone or want to view iPhone files on a bigger screen, then you will need to transfer files from iPhone to PC. However, iOS and Windows don’t play together. It’s impossible to transfer files via copy and paste.

Fortunately, there are some tools that can help you achieve the transfer. Some tools can help you transfer files via USB cable, others can help you transfer files wirelessly. You can read first and choose one according to your needs. Let’s start to see how to transfer data from iPhone to PC!

• Part 1. How to transfer files from iPhone to PC with USB
• Part 2. How to transfer files from iPhone to PC wirelessly

Part 1. How to transfer files from iPhone to PC with USB

Here are 3 ways that can help you transfer files from iPhone to PC with USB cable. They all can help you transfer files from iPhone to PC without Internet. Besides, using a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer also makes sure your data isn't leaked.

If you want to transfer photos, videos, music, and contacts, then Way 1 is highly recommended. Continue reading below to learn how to transfer data from iPhone to Windows Laptop.   

Way 1. Transfer files from iPhone to PC with easy freeware

FoneTool is one professional iOS data management tool for Windows users. It supports data transfer between iPhone and PC, between iPhone and another one.

When the iPhone is connected to FoneTool, you can go to different folders to preview and select the files you want to transfer. In addition, it supports transferring both purchased and non-purchased items. Below is an example to transfer music from iPhone to PC:

1. Download, install, and run FoneTool. Connect your iPhone to PC via USB cable.

2. After FoneTool recognizes your device, click Phone Transfer > Go to iPhone to PC and click Start Transfer.

3. Click the Plus icon > Choose the songs you want to transfer.

4. Click Start Transfer > Select a storage path (a local folder, external hard drive, or flash drive) > Click Transfer to confirm.

★Tips:

When you want to transfer files from PC to iPhone, just go to PC to iPhone and start the transfer.

If you want to transfer files from iPhone to another one, you can first export files from the source iPhone to PC and then import files from PC to the target iPhone. FoneTool can help you transfer data from iPhone to iPhone with different Apple ID.

Way 2. Transfer files from iPhone to PC with iTunes

If you want to transfer files from iPhone to PC using iTunes, then File Sharing is the way to go. File Sharing can help you transfer files created by Keynotes, Numbers, Pages, Kindle, etc. If the files you want to transfer are created by an app that is supported by File Sharing, then you can follow the steps below to know how to transfer files from iPhone to pc with USB.

1. Download, install, and launch iTunes > Plug in your iPhone.

2. Click the Device tab > Choose File Sharing.

3. Click one app > Choose the files you need and click Save.

4. Choose a storage path to save your files and click Save to confirm.

You can also drag and drop files to a folder on your computer to learn how to copy files from iPhone to computer.

Way 3. Transfer files from iPhone to PC via File Explorer

If you just want to transfer photos from iPhone to PC, then you can plug in your iPhone, find your photos in File Explorer and copy them to computer. However, it may take you some time to find the photos you need, as your photos are stored in different subfolders. It’s not a good choice if you want to transfer photo albums from iPhone to PC.

Plug in your iPhone > Go to File Explorer > Find your iPhone and open it > Go to Interner Storage > DCIM folder > open the subfolders to find the photos you want to transfer and copy them to PC.

Part 2. How to transfer files from iPhone to PC wirelessly

If you do not have a USB cable, you can try the following methods to learn how to transfer files from iPhone to PC wirelessly.

Way 1. Transfer data from iPhone to PC via Snapdrop

Although AirDrop is not available on Windows PC, there are many AirDrop-like apps that can help you transfer files from iPhone to PC wirelessly, such as Snapdrop, Xender, and SHAREit. If you do not want to install any app on your device, then you can choose to use Snapdrop, which supports data transfer using the web browser.

Follow the steps to learn how to transfer data from iPhone to PC without USB cable.

1. Connect your PC and iPhone to the same Wi-Fi network.

2. Open a browser and go to SnapDrop.net on your iPhone and PC. Each device will be given a nickname.

3. On your iPhone, tap the name of your PC > Choose Photo Library, Take Photo or Video, or Browse to select the files you want to transfer.

4. On your PC, click Save to accept the transfer.

Way 2. Transfer files from iPhone to computer using iCloud

One official way to transfer files from iPhone to PC wirelessly is to use iCloud. You can first save files to iCloud Drive on iPhone and then download the files on PC. However, each user has only 5GB of free storage space. It’s a good choice if you want to transfer a small number of files.

You can use iCloud to transfer photos, videos, contacts, notes, and documents. Below is an example on how to move files from iPhone to PC.

• Upload files to iCloud Drive: go to Photos app > choose the photos you need > tap Share button > choose Save to “Files” > select iCloud Drive > tap Save to confirm.
• Download files on PC: open a browser and go to iCloud.com > log in with your Apple ID and passcode > click iCloud Drive > download photos to PC.

Way 3. Transfer files from iPhone to PC via Google Drive

You can also take advantage of Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive to transfer files from iPhone to PC wirelessly. They offer more storage space than iCloud. After signing up for Google, you can get 15GB of space. Let's learn how to transfer data from iPhone to computer.

1. Download Google Drive on iPhone > Open the app and sign in.

2. Tap the plus icon > Tap Upload > Choose the files you want to transfer to computer and let it finish uploading.

3. Go to the Google Drive website on PC and download the files.

Final words

That’s all about how to transfer files from iPhone to PC. All of the above methods can help you transfer files and you can choose one to follow depending on your specific needs. If you want to quickly transfer photos, videos, contacts, or songs, then FoneTool is the best choice. If you want to transfer PDFs, or other documents, then you can use iTunes File Sharing or cloud services.