Can’t Import Photos From iPhone to Windows? A Few Suggested Fixes

Life can be smooth sailing until you try to mix Apple and Windows devices. Although these two vastly different ecosystems are usually able to find a common language, it isn’t rare for errors to pop up.

Many users report running into problems when transferring photos from their iPhone to their Windows 11 or 10 PC. Let’s find out how to troubleshoot these transfer issues and save your image files at once.

Can’t Import Photos From iPhone to Windows 11

Is your Windows 11 computer not detecting your iPhone when you connect it with a USB cable? Or does your image transfer fail every time? Here are a few tweaks that can help.

Check Your Cable

Before trying any of the more complicated solutions, check your USB cable. If your iPhone only charges when you connect it to your PC and you can’t access its storage, try a different cable. Not all USB cables are suitable for data transfer, and the one you’re using might fall into this category.

If you’re sure your cable is the correct type, the issue could be with your USB port. Try a different port – oftentimes, USB 2.0 will work better than USB 3.0. If you’re using a USB hub, try plugging your cable directly into the port instead.

Finally, make sure you don’t touch or move the cord once it’s plugged in. Moving it can disrupt the connection while the transfer is in progress.

Make Sure Your iPhone Is Unlocked

Another common issue is trying to connect the iPhone while it’s locked. As long as your iPhone’s screen is locked, you won’t be able to access its contents from your PC. Make sure you unlock the device before you try to transfer your images. When you successfully connect your iPhone, a message asking for permission will pop up. Mark your PC as a trusted device to access your phone’s contents.

Load iCloud Images

The iCloud Photo Library is a useful iPhone feature. It enables you to store your photos in the cloud while still having access to them from your phone. It’s easy to forget that the photos aren’t actually on your device when this feature is on. If you found your photos folder empty when accessing it from your PC, it might be because your images are stored in the cloud. If that’s the case, you’ll need to download the images before you can copy them to your PC.

1. Open your Settings app and go to “iCloud.”
   
2. Select “Photos.”
   
3. Tap “Download and Keep Originals.”
   

Another solution is turning off the iCloud Photo Library. To do this, just toggle “iCloud Photo Library” on the same screen.

Keep Originals

Another iPhone setting that can interfere with your ability to transfer your images has to do with original files. Here’s what you need to adjust in your Settings.

1. Go to your iPhone’s Settings and find “Photos.”
   
2. Scroll down to find “Transfer to Mac or PC.” Change it to “Download and Keep Originals.”
   

Close all the apps you’re running and reconnect your iPhone to your computer. You’ll be able to transfer your files with no problem now.

Update Drivers

A faulty driver can also easily make importing photos a nightmare. Check whether your driver is due for an update in the following way.

1. Open your PC’s start menu and search for “Device Manager.”
   
2. Look for “Universal Serial Bus Controller” and click the arrow to expand it. “Apple Mobile Device USB Driver” should be under it.
   
3. If you see an exclamation mark next to its icon, right-click it and select “Update Driver.”
   

Tone It Down

Even if none of the above solutions did the trick, you don’t have to give up USB transfer entirely. Trying to copy 10,000 items at once can understandably cause issues. But many users report that they can transfer a smaller numbers of photos at the same time. It’s a good idea to save your photos frequently and only copy a few hundred at a time.

Can’t Import Photos From iPhone to Windows 10

If your Windows 10 PC isn’t detecting your iPhone when it’s connected, or you keep running into problems when trying to transfer your photos, here are a few tips that might help.

Mind Your USB

Firstly, consider whether your cable may be to blame for your transfer issues. Is it your iPhone’s original cable or a different USB cable? Not all USB cords are capable of transferring data. Some of them will only charge your device. If your iPhone charges when you plug it in but your Windows isn’t detecting the device, switch the cord to see whether this fixes the problem.

Secondly, faulty USB ports can also cause communication issues between the devices. Try a different USB port. If possible, go for a USB 2.0 instead of a USB 3.0 port. And skip USB hubs and plug the cable directly into your PC. Additionally, don’t move the cable once you’ve connected your iPhone, as it can potentially disrupt the connection.

Unlock Your iPhone

The next important step before you’ll be able to transfer images from your iPhone to your PC is unlocking your phone. You won’t be able to see the contents of a locked iPhone. Make sure you unlock your screen and give permission to your PC to access your device. Only after your computer is marked as trusted on your iPhone will you be able to transfer data.

Disable iCloud Photos

The iCloud Photo Library is a service that allows you to store your images in the cloud. This means your photos might not actually be located on your phone, making it impossible to copy them to your PC. You’ll need to download each photo from your iCloud before you can access them in your phone’s storage.

Alternatively, you can disable iCloud Photo Library overall so you don’t have to do this in the future.

1. Go to your Settings app and then “iCloud.”
   
2. Tap “Photos.”
   
3. Turn off “iCloud Photos.”
   

Turn On ‘Keep Originals’

The next thing you can do is ensure that “Keep Originals” is enabled in your iPhone’s photo settings.

1. Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
   
2. Find the “Photos” option.
   
3. Select “Transfer to Mac or PC.” Change the current setting to “Download and Keep Originals.”
   
4. Close any apps that may be running.

Connect your iPhone to your PC again, and you’ll be able to access your photos.

Tweak Your Photos App

Sometimes, when you can’t import photos, the issue lies with Windows 10’s Photos app. Simply resetting the app might help in this case.

1. Click your Start menu and search for “Apps & Features” and open it.
   
2. Locate the “Microsoft Photos” app.
   
3. Click “Advanced options” underneath.
   
4. Find “Repair” under “Reset” option.
   

This should fix bugs, but if you still experience problems, you can try the “Reset” option. Be aware that this will delete the app data.

Refresh Your Apple Services

If you use iTunes, it’s also a good idea to refresh the service behind it whenever something malfunctions. Here’s how to do it.

1. Open your Start menu and search “Services” and open it.
   
2. Double-click “Apple Mobile Device Service” on the list.
   
3. In the new window, stop the application, then restart it.

Make sure that “Startup type” is set to automatic so you don’t experience issues in the future.

Keep Loads Low

Are you still having trouble trying to transfer large amounts of data despite the above tweaks? You might need to limit the number of photos you are trying to import at once. Transfer your files in smaller batches to see if that does the trick.

Import Your iPhone Photos

Technology can feel like a nuisance when you can’t complete a simple task like importing your photos. The tips mentioned above will help you sort out the issue, and you’ll be able to copy your files to your Windows PC.

Which solution fixed your iPhone transfer troubles? Do you have any tips for other users? Let us know in the comments section below.