iOS Assistant
 
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Top 8 iPhone File Transfer Apps to Transfer Files from iPhone to PC/Mac

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Are you looking for an easy-to-use iPhone file transfer app? We've all been there: your iPhone storage is running out, and you can't find a good way to transfer large files to your computer. Don't worry, this article is just for you! We're going to introduce you to 8 top-notch iPhone-to-computer transfer software that will help you effortlessly manage file transfers. Whether you need to free up storage space or quickly back up your data, these apps have got you covered. Let's take a look at these amazing tools!

iphone file transfer app

 

This is a brief overview of 8 iPhone file transfer apps:

iPhone File Transfer App Transfer Speed Limitations
Coolmuster iOS Assistant Super-Fast Nothing
iTunes Medium Slower when transferring large files
iCloud Depend on the network speed Limited free storage space; additional storage purchase required
File Explorer Medium Only supports transferring photos and videos
AirDrop Fast; suitable for small files Limited to transmission between Apple devices
iExplorer Offers fast data transfer with support for large files. Lacks wireless transfer features for iOS devices.
Send Anywhere Quick transfers over Wi-Fi, especially for small to medium files. File size is limited to 10GB for free users.
Air Sharing Provides good transfer speed over Wi-Fi. Requires both devices to be on the same network for wireless transfers.

1. Coolmuster iOS Assistant - Best Data Transfer App for iPhone/iPad

Coolmuster iOS Assistant is a versatile tool designed to help manage and transfer data between your iPhone, iPad, and computer/external hard drive. It allows you to easily transfer photos, videos, contacts, messages, and more without iTunes. The software supports data backup, restoration, and even selective file extraction, ensuring you never lose important information. It's user-friendly, offering a seamless experience for both beginners and experienced users, making iPhone data management a breeze.

Key features of iOS Assistant:

  • Transfer data between iPhone, iPad, and PC/Mac/External Drive easily, without using iTunes.
  • Backup your iPhone data, including photos, videos, contacts, and messages, with one click.
  • Restore data from backup files to your iOS devices selectively.
  • Transfer messages, contacts, music, photos, videos, notes, books, bookmarks, and calendars, etc.
  • User-friendly interface, ideal for both beginners and advanced users.
  • Support for multiple iOS devices and versions, including the latest iOS 26 and iPhone 17.

Follow the steps below to transfer files from iPhone to computer using iOS Assistant:

01Download and install this software on your Windows or Mac computer. Then, launch it and connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.

02Tap "Trust" on your iPhone and "Continue" on your computer when asked. Once connected successfully, you will see the interface as below.

the main interface of ios assistant

03Choose the file type you want to transfer on the left panel, select and preview the items on the right panel, and then tap "Export" to start the transfer process.

best file transfer app for iphone to pc to transfer file

Video Tutorial:

2. iTunes

Another iPhone file transfer software is iTunes. It is Apple's official file transfer tool. Through iTunes, you can sync your iPhone with a computer. However, iTunes sometimes encounters slow transfer speeds when handling large files. Here is how to transfer files from iPhone to computer using iTunes:

Step 1. Open iTunes on your PC.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to the computer and select your device.

Step 3. Navigate to the "File Sharing" option on the left side.

using itunes as iphone file transfer app to transfer files

Step 4. Choose the applications or files you wish to transfer and save them to your computer.

3. iCloud

iCloud is the third app to transfer files from iPhone to PC. Through iCloud, users can upload files to the cloud and synchronize them across different devices. The advantage of iCloud lies in its ability to transfer files without the need for physical device connections-only an internet connection is required. However, iCloud's free storage space is limited, and users may need to purchase additional storage to meet their needs.

Here is how to do it:

Step 1. On your iPhone, go to "Settings" > Tap your "Apple ID" > "iCloud" > Enable options based on the files you want to transfer.

sync the file to icloud

Step 2. On your PC, open a web browser and go to iCloud.com > Sign in with your Apple ID linked to your iPhone > Choose the files you wish to download to your PC.

using icloud as iphone to computer transfer software to transfer file

If your iCloud storage is not enough, you can read this article to learn how to fix this issue.

iPhone Says Not Enough iCloud Storage But There Is? Find the Fix Here!

4. Windows File Explorer

For Windows users, File Explorer is also a commonly used iPhone-to-Windows file transfer app. Once you connect your iPhone to the computer, you can directly access and transfer photos and videos through File Explorer. While this method is straightforward for multimedia files, it cannot handle transferring other data types like contacts and messages. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Connect your iOS device to your PC using a USB cable. Unlock your iPhone and establish trust between the device and the computer.

Step 2. Open File Explorer, go to "This PC", and locate your iPhone under "Devices and drives".

find your iphone on your windows computer

Step 3. Access "Internal Storage", then navigate to the "DCIM" folder and open the "100APPLE" folder.

using file explorer as iphone to windows file transfer app

Step 4. Select the photos and videos you want to transfer from your iPhone and copy them to your PC.

5. AirDrop

Similarly, for Mac users, AirDrop is also a great option. AirDrop is a tool for fast file transfer between Apple devices. With AirDrop, you can wirelessly transfer photos, videos, documents, and more between iPhones and other Apple devices. It offers fast transfer speeds and easy operation-simply open AirDrop and select the target device to complete the file transfer. However, AirDrop is limited to transferring files between Apple devices and cannot share files with non-Apple devices. Here is how to transfer files from iPhone to Mac via AirDrop:

Step 1. On your iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and tap "AirDrop". Select "Contacts Only" or "Everyone" based on your preferences.

enable airdrop on your iphone

Step 2. On your Mac, open a Finder window and choose "AirDrop". Set your visibility to "Contacts Only" or "Everyone".

enable airdrop on your mac

Step 3. Select the files on your iPhone that you want to transfer, such as photos, and tap the "Share" icon. You'll see your Mac's name - tap it to share the photos via AirDrop to your Mac.

using airdrop as iphone to mac file transfer app

6. iExplorer

iExplorer is a powerful iPhone file management tool that allows you to transfer, manage, and back up files between your iPhone and computer. It enables easy access to iPhone's file system, letting you transfer music, photos, messages, contacts, and more. With its intuitive interface, iExplorer offers a seamless transfer experience for both beginners and advanced users.

iexplorer

Step 1: Install iExplorer on your computer and connect your iPhone via USB cable.

Step 2: Open iExplorer and select your device from the sidebar.

Step 3: Browse through your device's files and folders.

Step 4: Select the files you want to transfer and drag them to your computer.

Step 5: Wait for the transfer to complete and safely eject your iPhone.

7. Send Anywhere

Send Anywhere is a fast and convenient file transfer app that allows you to send photos, videos, documents, and other files between iPhones and various devices. It uses Wi-Fi or a generated transfer key for secure, direct file sharing without needing cables or internet access, making it a great choice for seamless file transfers.

To transfer files from iPhone using Send Anywhere:

Step 1: Install Send Anywhere on both your iPhone and the receiving device.

Step 2: Open the app, tap "Send," and select the files you want to transfer.

Step 3: Tap "Send" again to generate a 6-digit key or a QR code.

Step 4: On the receiving device, open the app, tap "Receive," and enter the key or scan the QR code.

Step 5: Wait for the transfer to complete.

transfer data from iphone using send anywhere

8. Air Sharing

Air Sharing is a file management app that allows you to transfer and store files between your iPhone and other devices wirelessly. With its intuitive interface, you can easily access documents, photos, and videos from your iPhone and share them over Wi-Fi, making file transfer fast and convenient without needing cables.

Steps to Transfer Files with Air Sharing:

Step 1: Install Air Sharing on your iPhone and other devices.

Step 2: Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 3: Open Air Sharing on your iPhone and choose the files you want to transfer.

Step 4: Select the device to transfer files to, and they will sync automatically.

Final Thoughts

We have listed eight iPhone file transfer apps, including iPhone-to-Windows file transfer software and iPhone-to-Mac file transfer software. Among the many file transfer tools, Coolmuster iOS Assistant stands out as the best iPhone-to-PC transfer software.

It not only supports transferring various file types but also offers batch transfer functionality, making it ideal for users who frequently transfer and manage iPhone data. Moreover, it supports both Windows and Mac operating systems. Download it now to give it a try!

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    iOS Transfer     Top 8 iPhone File Transfer Apps to Transfer Files from iPhone to PC/Mac
iOS Assistant
Back up and restore everything on iPhone/iPad/iPod with one click.
Freely manage iOS data and iTunes backup files on the computer.
Preview and selectively transfer files between iDevice and computer.
Widely support contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, notes, etc.
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