How to Copy Photos from Phone to Computer and to the Cloud

Photos of grandchildren, weddings, or vacations in Poland are usually only on the phone. If the phone gets lost or breaks, everything is gone. Below, we describe how to make a copy on your computer and in the cloud, step by step.

iPhone to Windows Computer

1. On your computer, open the Microsoft Store and install the Apple Devices app.
2. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.
3. Unlock your iPhone with a code. If prompted with “Trust This Computer?”, tap Trust or Allow.
4. On your computer, click Start and open the Photos app.
5. Click Import, select your phone, and follow the instructions. You can choose which photos to copy and where to save them.

If you have iCloud Photos enabled, some originals may only be in the cloud and not on the phone. Such photos will not be copied by the cable. In that case, download them first to your iPhone or use the iCloud for Windows app: open it, click the button next to iCloud Photos, enable this option, and click Done. The photos will go to the Pictures › iCloud Photos folder.

If Windows has trouble opening photos from the iPhone, go to Settings › Camera › Formats on the phone and select Most Compatible. From now on, new photos will be saved as JPEG.

iPhone to Mac

1. Connect your iPhone to the Mac using a USB cable. If the Mac asks for permission to connect the accessory, click Allow.
2. Open the Photos app on the Mac. If the import screen does not appear automatically, click the phone name in the sidebar.
3. Unlock your iPhone and tap Trust if prompted.
4. Click Import All New Items or select specific photos and click Import Selected.
5. Wait until the process is complete before disconnecting the phone.

Android to Windows Computer

1. Unlock your phone and connect it to the computer using a USB cable.
2. On the phone, tap the notification “Charging this device via USB”.
3. In the Use USB for section, select File Transfer.
4. A window with the phone's files will open on the computer. Drag the photos to the desired folder on the computer. You can also open the Photos app in Windows and click Import, just like with the iPhone.
5. Finally, safely eject the device in Windows and disconnect the cable.

Without a cable, you can use Microsoft's Phone Link app. It only shows the most recent photos and screenshots, does not copy videos, and requires Android 7.0 or newer. For a complete backup, a cable or cloud is better.

Cloud Backup: iCloud and Google Photos

iPhone, iCloud Photos: go to Settings › [Your Name] › iCloud › Photos and enable Sync this device. You must be logged into the same Apple account on all devices. The free space is 5 GB, so for a larger collection, you need to purchase more space in the iCloud+ plan.

Android (and iPhone), Google Photos: open the Google Photos app, log into your Google account, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then Photos settings › Backup and enable backup. Each Google account has up to 15 GB free, but this space is shared with Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos.

If This Didn't Help

• The computer does not see the phone. Unlock the phone (the computer will not detect a locked phone), try a different cable and USB port. Not every cable transfers data.
• Android is only charging. Tap the USB notification again and select File Transfer. Restart the phone and computer.
• iPhone does not show all photos. The originals are likely only in iCloud. Download them via iCloud for Windows or on Mac through the Photos app.
• No space in the cloud. First, copy the photos to the computer. Then delete unnecessary large files or purchase more space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can strangers see my photos in the cloud?

No, unless you share them yourself. Google states that copies in Google Photos are private and visible only to you on logged-in devices. Therefore, it is crucial to have a strong password and two-step verification, as discussed in our guide how to secure accounts with a password and 2FA.

Can I use Google Photos on iPhone?

Yes. The Google Photos app also works on iPhone and can save a copy of photos, including Live Photos. Just remember that the free 15 GB is shared across the entire Google account.

How long does it take?

It depends on the number of photos and internet speed. Google warns that the first backup may take a considerable amount of time. It is best to leave the phone connected to the charger and Wi-Fi overnight.

Sources

Status as of October 24, 2026. Menu names may vary depending on the system version and phone manufacturer. This guide is for informational purposes. The limits of free cloud storage are set by Apple and Google and may change.