Transferring photos from your iPhone to a Windows 11 PC wirelessly? Yep, it’s kinda weird, but it works—a lot faster than messing around with cables, especially if you’ve got a bunch of pics to move. Just make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, and you’ve got everything set up right.
How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Windows 11 Wirelessly
This method involves using Windows’ Nearby Sharing feature combined with the Photos app on your iPhone. The general idea is that both devices communicate over the same Wi-Fi, and you send photos directly without needing additional apps or cables. Not sure why it works, but it does kind of pick up the pace compared to traditional methods.
Step 1: Connect to the Same Wi-Fi
First off, make sure both your iPhone and Windows 11 PC are hooked up to the same Wi-Fi network. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, and on your PC, check in Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi. This is super important because if they’re on different networks, they won’t find each other, and the transfer just won’t happen. On one setup it seemed to work after a reboot, on another, not so much, so definitely check your connections.
Step 2: Enable Nearby Sharing on Windows 11
Next, switch on Nearby Sharing. Head to Settings > System > Nearby Sharing. Turn it on, and set it to Everyone nearby so the PC is open for sharing from other devices. Also, make sure you toggle Share across devices using Nearby Sharing. On some setups, enabling Bluetooth helps detection, but don’t rely on it 100%—Wi-Fi is the main thing here.
Pro tip: Some folks say they have to tweak the Registry or enable certain services like PeerNameResolutionService and PeerNetworkingService via PowerShell if the sharing isn’t showing up. Just run Get-Service PeerNameResolutionService and see if it’s running. If not, start it with Start-Service PeerNameResolutionService. You might need to reboot after messing with these.
Step 3: Open Photos App & Select Photos on iPhone
On your iPhone, launch the Photos app. Pick the pics you want to send. That little Share icon (square with an arrow) is your friend here. Tap it and look for Nearby Sharing. If you don’t see it, double-check you’re running the latest iOS—sometimes updates fix bugs that hide sharing options.
Step 4: Send Using Nearby Sharing
Once you tap Nearby Sharing, your iPhone will scan for nearby devices. Your Windows PC should show up—if it doesn’t, go back and double-check everything above. When your PC pops up, tap to send, and on Windows, a toast notification should appear asking to accept the transfer.
Here’s a weird thing: sometimes the transfer isn’t instant and can hang or fail if your Windows firewall settings are overzealous. Check that you’ve allowed File and Printer Sharing in your firewall rules (Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Allowed apps). Also, turning off VPNs or antivirus that might block local network traffic can help.
Step 5: Accept & View the Photos
Accept the transfer on your Windows machine. Depending on your setup, the images usually land in the Downloads folder, unless you specify otherwise. Sometimes, the file naming isn’t perfect, and the quality can be compromised if you’re trying to send in huge batches, so smaller groups tend to be more reliable. After a few tries, you’ll get a feel for what works best.
Tips for smoother transfers
- Make sure Wi-Fi is stable—disconnections cause half-done transfers, which is annoying.
- Charge your iPhone well; transfers can get interrupted if the phone’s battery dips too low.
- Keep Bluetooth on; it might assist discovery, but Wi-Fi is the real hero here.
- Update both devices to the latest OS versions—nothing kills compatibility like outdated software.
- If you’re sending a big bunch of photos, do it in chunks. On a slow network, that’s just common sense.
FAQs
How do I find the photos on my Windows 11 PC after transferring?
Most likely, they’ll pop up in Downloads unless you set a different destination. If you want, you can move them to Albums or other folders afterward.
Can I transfer videos too?
Yep, Nearby Sharing supports videos, so go ahead and share those clips. Same process, just a little bigger file size usually slow you down a bit.
What if my iPhone doesn’t show the Nearby Sharing option?
That’s probably because it’s not compatible or your iOS version is outdated. Usually, iOS doesn’t natively support Nearby Sharing—so you might need a workaround like third-party apps or AirDrop, but that’s a different story.
Is there a size limit on files?
No strict cap, but the bigger, the longer it takes. Large files can get interrupted if the connection stalls or drops midway.
Can this work if the devices are on different Wi-Fi networks?
Nope, sorry. Both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi for the magic to happen. Otherwise, it’s back to cables or cloud options.
Summary
- Make sure Wi-Fi is the same on both devices
- Turn on Nearby Sharing in Windows settings
- Open Photos app on iPhone and select images
- Hit Share > Nearby Sharing
- Accept transfer prompts on Windows
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone. Because honestly, wireless transfer *should* be easier, and it kinda sort of is if your setup cooperates. Good luck—may your Wi-Fi be fast and your transfers smooth.