Want to send photos from your iPhone to a Windows 11 PC without plugging in? No worries—it’s a bit out of the ordinary, but it works a treat and is way quicker than faffing around with cables, especially if you’ve got a fair few snaps to move. Just make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, and everything’s set up properly.
How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Windows 11 Wirelessly
This method uses Windows’ Nearby Sharing along with the Photos app on your iPhone. Basically, both devices chat over your Wi-Fi network, and you send photos straight over without needing extra apps or wires. Not entirely sure why it works, but it’s a lot quicker than old-school methods.
Step 1: Connect to the Same Wi-Fi
First up, make sure your iPhone and Windows 11 PC are on the same Wi-Fi. On your iPhone, head to Settings > Wi-Fi, and on your PC, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi. This is pretty crucial—if they’re on different networks, they won’t pick each other up, and the transfer won’t go ahead. I’ve seen it work after a reboot on one device but not the other, so double-check your connection.
Step 2: Turn On Nearby Sharing on Windows 11
Next, enable Nearby Sharing. Go to Settings > System > Nearby Sharing. Flip it on, and set it for Everyone nearby so the PC’s open to sharing from other devices. Also, make sure Share across devices using Nearby Sharing is toggled on. Sometimes, turning on Bluetooth helps with detection, but Wi-Fi is the main player here.
Pro tip: Some folks say they’ve had to tweak the Registry or start services like PeerNameResolutionService and PeerNetworkingService via PowerShell if their sharing isn’t showing up. Run Get-Service PeerNameResolutionService to check if it’s running, and if not, start it with Start-Service PeerNameResolutionService. You might need a reboot after fiddling with these.
Step 3: Open Photos App & Pick Your Photos on iPhone
Open the Photos app on your iPhone. Select the pics you want to send. Tap the Share icon (the square with an arrow). Look for Nearby Sharing. If it’s not there, make sure your iPhone’s running the latest iOS—sometimes updates fix bugs that hide sharing options.
Step 4: Send via Nearby Sharing
Tap Nearby Sharing, and your iPhone will scan for nearby devices. Your Windows PC should show up—if not, go back and check everything above. Once it appears, tap to send, and a notification should pop up on Windows asking for approval.
Strange but true: sometimes the transfer isn’t instant and can hang or fail if your Windows firewall is a bit over the top. Check that you’ve allowed File and Printer Sharing through the firewall (Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Allowed apps). Also, turning off VPNs or antivirus that might block local network traffic can help things along.
Step 5: Accept & Find Your Pics
Accept the transfer on your Windows machine. Usually, the photos end up in your Downloads folder unless you pick somewhere else. Sometimes, the filenames aren’t perfect, and very large batches can cause issues. Sending smaller groups is a safer bet. After a few tries, you’ll get the hang of what works best.
Tips for smoother transfers
- Make sure your Wi-Fi is stable—drops can stop transfers mid-way.
- Keep your iPhone charged; low battery can mess with the transfer.
- Leave Bluetooth on—sometimes it helps with detection, but Wi-Fi is the main thing.
- Update both devices to the latest OS versions—outdated software can cause headaches.
- If you’re sending loads of photos, do it in smaller chunks. On slow Wi-Fi, that’s just common sense.
FAQs
How do I find the photos on my Windows 11 PC after transferring?
Most likely, they’ll land in Downloads unless you’ve changed the save location. You can always move them into Albums or other folders later.
Can I send videos too?
Yep, Nearby Sharing supports videos as well. Just the same process, though bigger files might take a bit longer.
What if my iPhone doesn’t show the Nearby Sharing option?
That’s probably because Apple doesn’t natively support Nearby Sharing—iOS doesn’t do that out of the box. You might need to use other options like AirDrop or third-party apps, but that’s a different tale.
Is there a size limit on files?
No strict limit, but the bigger the file, the longer it takes. Larger files can also get interrupted if the connection drops out.
Can this work if the devices are on different Wi-Fi networks?
Nah, unfortunately not. Both devices need to be on the same network for this to work. Otherwise, you’ll have to go with cables or cloud options.
Summary
- Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi
- Enable Nearby Sharing in Windows settings
- Open Photos on your iPhone and pick your shots
- Hit Share > Nearby Sharing
- Accept the transfer prompt on Windows
Hopefully, this helps save you a bit of time. Honestly, wireless transfer *should* be dead easy, and with the setup working, it kind of is. Good luck — may your Wi-Fi be fast and your photos transfer smoothly.