Transferring photos from your computer to your iPhone can be a daunting task especially if you’re not tech-savvy. Nonetheless, it’s a necessary one especially if you want to access your photos on the go or want to share them with friends and family. Whether you’re transferring new photos or trying to migrate your entire photo library, there are several methods you can use. This article will take you through some of the best methods you can use to move pics from your computer to iPhone and explain important considerations.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Moving Pics to iPhone
Although Apple offers iTunes and iCloud as methods of transferring photos to iPhone, these methods can be restrictive, slow or limited in functionality. Both methods have to go through Apple’s servers making them slower compared to third-party solutions. Other times, you may not want to use these methods for security and privacy reasons. Some third-party apps have been created in recent times that offer faster, simpler, and more customizable transfer options.
Things You Should Prepare for
The following are items you’ll need to successfully transfer pics from your computer to iPhone regardless of the method you choose:
- USB cable that came with iPhone
- Computer running Windows or MacOS
- iPhone or iPad running iOS 8 or newer
- Third-party app (optional)
Method 1: Copy Using iTunes
This is the default way of transferring pics from your computer to iPhone offered by Apple. You can easily copy photos from your computer to iPhone via iTunes. Here’s the step-by-step guide:
- Connect your iPhone using a USB cable to your computer
- Open iTunes. If you don’t have an updated version, update iTunes first
- In iTunes, go to "File" then select "Add File to Library" or "Add Folder to Library" depending on how you saved the photos on your PC
- Choose the photo or folder you’d like to add to iTunes
- Connect your iPhone and wait for it to appear on iTunes
- Select the iOS device and go to "Photos" tab. Then check the "Sync Photos" checkbox
- If you’d like to add your entire photo library, select "All folders" or "Selected folders" then select the specific folder you’d like to transfer and click Apply.
Pros:
- You don’t have to use third-party apps.
- You get Apple’s warranty and support
Cons:
- The process is slow compared to other methods
- You have to download and install iTunes
- You can’t copy non-Apple file types like PDFs or documents
Method 2: Using iCloud
This is also another method offered by Apple. iCloud is the easiest way to transfer just a few photos from your computer to iPhone. However, it’s not ideal for large photo transfers. Here’s how to copy photos from your computer to iPhone using iCloud.
- Go to iCloud.com and login using your Apple ID
- Click on "Photos".
- Click on the upload icon and then "Upload photos" or "Upload folder" depending on how you saved the photos on your PC
- Select the photos you’d like to transfer to iPhone and click open. You can press CTRL and click to select multiple photos
- Allow time for the photos to appear on the connected devices and then open the "Photos" app on your iPhone or iPad.
Pros:
- You don’t need a USB cable to transfer photos
- You don’t need to download any software or install anything
- You get Apple’s support and warranty
Cons:
- The method is slow especially for large photo files
- You can’t copy non-Apple file types like PDFs or documents
- You require access to the internet to transfer photos
Method 3: Using Third Party Apps
You can also copy photos from your computer to iPhone using third-party apps. There are several apps you can choose from in the App Store including AirDrop, Dropbox, Google Drive and Photosync. Here’s how you can copy photos from computer to iPhone using Google Drive:
- Download the Google Drive app from App Store
- Sign in to your Google Drive account and choose "Upload files" or "Upload Folder."
- Select the folder with the photos you’d like to transfer
- Allow time for the files to upload to Google Drive.
- Open the Google Drive app on your iPhone or iPad and navigate to the folder containing the photos
- Find the photo you want and click share.
- Select Save Directly to iPhone.
Pros:
- You don’t need a USB cable to transfer photos
- You can copy large files with ease
- You have more customization options
Cons:
- Getting used to new apps and interfaces takes time
- You may have to pay for some apps
- You lose Apple’s warranty and support
Method 4: Using Email
This is arguably the slowest and least effective method of copying photos from your computer to iPhone. However, it’s still one of the most convenient and with the least complications. Here’s how to send photos from your computer to iPhone using email.
- Open your email account, compose a new email, and add your own email address in the TO field
- Add your photos as attachments to the email.
- Send the email
- Launch the mail app on your iPhone or iPad and find the sent email
- Tap and hold on one of the attached photos, then select "Save Image"
Pros:
- You don’t need any other software or hardware
- You can send multiple files at once
Cons:
- The process is very slow compared to other methods
- The file size you can send is limited by email service providers
- You need a good internet connection for downloading photos
Why Can’t I copy my Pics to iPhone?
There several reasons why you might not be able to copy pics from your computer to iPhone. Some of them include:
1. The USB is the wrong one.
A USB cable that is faulty or is not MFi (made for iPhone/iPad) certified can cause problems when transferring data.
Fixes:
- Use an Apple-brand USB cable
- Check for damages or strains on the USB cable
2. The photo format is not supported on iPhone.
Not all photo file types are supported on iPhones or iPads.
Fixes:
- Use an image format like .JPEG and .PNG
- Use an app or software that can convert file types.
3. iCloud photos are turned off
Some iPhone or iPad users turn off iCloud Photos on their devices.
Fixes:
To turn on iCloud photos, go to settings > [Your Name] > iCloud. From here, you can turn on iCloud photos.
Additional Tips
In addition to the methods listed above, here are three more tips to help you copy pictures from your computer to iPhone seamlessly:
1. Free up Space – Make sure you free up enough space on your iPhone by deleting unwanted files or photos. You can also use an app like iCleanup or PhoneClean to free up storage space. This will help you avoid issues during transfer due to insufficient storage space.
2. Clear cache – Sometimes, the cache and temp files on your iPhone can slow down transfer speeds or even make the transfer impossible. Clear your iPhone’s cache to ensure a smooth transfer process.
3. Edit photos – Prior to transferring photos from your computer, you can make basic editing adjustments through apps like Adobe Lightroom, Apple Photos or Canva. This will help reduce the size of photo files and make it easier for them to transfer.
5 FAQs about Moving Pics to iPhone
Q1: How can I tell when the transfer of photos is complete?
A: The easiest way to tell when the transfer of pictures is complete is when the computer or app shows the message "transfer successful" or a notification from iTunes letting you know that your iPhone is synced.
Q2: Can I use iTunes to transfer my photos if I use a Chromebook?
A: No, iTunes is not compatible with Chromebooks. You can use Google Photos or third-party apps to transfer photos to your iPhone.
Q3: What happens to my photos if I upload them to iCloud?
A: Photos uploaded to iCloud are synced across all devices logged into the account. You can access these photos from any device that is logged in.
Q4: Are there security concerns when using third-party apps to transfer photos?
A: Yes. Third-party apps can potentially compromise your data if they are not secured properly. Make sure you go through reviews online before using any app.
Q5: Can I transfer photos from my iPhone to my computer?
A: Yes. You can use any of the methods listed above to transfer photos from iPhone to computer. Most of the methods work similarly with only small variations due to different operating systems.
In Conclusion
Transferring pictures from your computer to iPhone is an essential process if you want to access your pictures while on the go or share them with others. With the methods listed above, you have several options to choose from based on your preferences and the size of the files you’d like to transfer. With proper preparations, you can easily move your photos and enjoy seamless access to your full photo library on your phone.