Moving photos from your iPhone to a Windows 11 PC isn’t exactly hard, but sometimes it feels like a pain in the backside with all the little quirks and confusing steps. Maybe your PC’s not recognising your iPhone at all, or the Photos app just keeps spinning its wheels. Or worse, there could be issues with cables, permissions, or software hiccups. No worries — this guide’s here to help you get those memories onto your PC without pulling your hair out. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to edit, back up, or just have a squiz at your snaps on a bigger screen — way easier than you’d reckon. Yeah, Windows can be a bit stubborn sometimes, but with a few tips, you can dodge most of the hassle.
How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC Windows 11
Connect your iPhone to your PC and trust the device
This step can be a bit of a kerfuffle. Plug your iPhone in with a Lightning or USB-C cable (depending on your model). Your PC should recognise the device, but you’ll probably see a prompt come up on your iPhone asking if you want to Trust this computer?. Tap Trust and punch in your passcode if asked. Without doing this, Windows won’t be able to access your photos, or it might not even see your phone in the first place.
Sometimes, on certain computers or with particular cables, the phone doesn’t get recognised straight away. If that happens, try unplugging and plugging back in, or switching ports or cables. A handy tip: not all USB cables are the same — some are just for charging, so make sure you’re using one that can actually transfer data. Also, check if your PC or drivers need an update. Windows 11 updates can fix recognition issues, so don’t skip those.
Open the Photos app and import your pictures
On Windows 11, click on Start and search for Photos. It’s a built-in app meant for importing images, and it tends to be pretty reliable once it spots your phone. When you open Photos, look for the Import button — usually at the top right. Click it and select From a connected device. The app will then scan your iPhone for photos and videos.
Here’s where it can get a bit dodgy sometimes: if the Photos app doesn’t automatically show your device, try restarting both your iPhone and PC, reconnecting the cable, or opening the device via File Explorer. For some people, enabling Image Capture or related services in Windows helps too.
Select your photos and start the transfer
Once the app finds your photos, you’ll see thumbnails and the option to choose specific ones or ‘select all’. Pick what you want — maybe recent shots or some favourites — and hit Import Selected. If you only want to move a handful, this is way better than syncing everything. Expect it to take a few minutes depending on how many files you’ve chosen and your USB connection. Once done, they’ll be saved in your Pictures folder (or wherever you pointed it).
Sometimes, the first go can fail or hang, especially if the cable isn’t great or the phone’s permissions aren’t sorted. If that happens, unplug, restart both devices, and give it another crack. Also, on some setups, you might need to unlock your iPhone or open the Photos app on your phone to allow data access — a bit strange, but that’s Windows’ way of double-checking it’s okay to get into your device.
Extra tips for smoother transfers
- Keep your iPhone unlocked while copying — don’t get distracted or lock it mid-transfer.
- If recognition keeps failing, try a different USB port or cable.
- Make sure Windows 11 and your iPhone software are up to date (check Settings > Windows Update).
- If you’re keen on wireless, iCloud Photos can sync everything across devices — but if you’re in a rush or want it quick, wired’s the better way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do this without plugging in a cable?
Yeah mate, iCloud Photos works a treat if you’re happy with cloud storage and wireless syncing. Just set up iCloud on your Windows and enable Photos sync.
Not all USB cables are the same — what should I look for?
Grab a cable that says “data transfer” on it. Cheap charging cables might only do power, not data. If your PC isn’t recognising your iPhone and you’re using a new cable, give it a tinkering — swap it out or try a different port (USB 3.0 or USB-C). Sometimes, that’s the fix.
Why isn’t my PC picking up my iPhone?
Main reasons are: the phone isn’t unlocked, you haven’t tapped ‘Trust’ on your iPhone, or the cable/port isn’t working. Check Device Manager under Portable Devices for driver issues and update if needed.
Got any shortcuts or apps to make life easier?
If you want a bit more control, third-party apps like Apeaksoft iPhone Transfer or Winhance on GitHub can help. They’re handy if you want to move specific albums or manage big libraries. But for quick, personal stuff, the Photos app usually does the job.
Summary
- Plug your iPhone in with a proper data cable.
- Tap ‘Trust’ on your iPhone when prompted.
- Open Photos and click “From a connected device”.
- Choose your pics and hit import.
- Wait a tick, then enjoy your photos on the PC.
Final word
Getting photos onto Windows 11 can be a bit of a hassle sometimes — cables, permissions, bugs — but generally it’s just a matter of troubleshooting a few bits. Once sorted, it’s pretty straightforward. Moving pics this way is usually reliable once you’ve got the initial setup sorted. Hope this saves someone a bit of faffing around and keeps things simple. Cheers and enjoy your memories!