When getting a new phone or switching to another smartphone, it's important to transfer your data so nothing gets lost. Since iPhones have limited free iCloud storage, and switching to Android can be tricky, using a computer is often the easiest way to move files. Beyond that, many iPhone users simply prefer working on a PC for better file control and storage flexibility.
In this guide, we'll walk you through several effective ways to transfer files from iPhone to a PC, both wirelessly and with a cable. By the end, you'll be able to choose the method that best fits your situation.
Many iPhone users avoid using iTunes to manage or transfer files because of its confusing interface, slow performance, and frequent sync errors. So, how can you transfer data from your iPhone to your PC without relying on iTunes?
A simple and effective solution is Coolmuster iOS Assistant, a powerful tool that enables smooth data transfer between your iPhone and computer. With it, you can easily move files from your iPhone or iPad to your Windows PC, and vice versa, without needing iTunes. Whether you're backing up photos and videos, sharing files, or freeing up space on your device, iOS Assistant makes the entire process fast, easy, and reliable.
Key features of Coolmuster iOS Assistant:
Download the right version on your computer and follow the steps below to use this app for transferring files from iPhone to PC.
How to Transfer iPhone Files to PC Selectively
01Launch the application on your PC and connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable. A notification window will appear on your computer screen. Choose the "Trust" option on your device, and then click "Continue" to proceed.
02Once the software detects your device, the main interface will be displayed, as shown below.
03Choose the data you want to transfer, such as contacts. Enter the "Contacts" folder and preview more detailed file information. During the preview, select the contacts you want to export to the computer. Finally, click the "Export" option, choose the correct file output format, and initiate the process.
How to Share Files from iPhone to PC with One Click
01When the software detects your device, switch to the "Super Toolkit" section.
02Click on the "iTunes Backup & Restore" tab on the interface. Select the "Backup" tab, and then choose the device you want to back up from the drop-down menu.
03Choose the location to save the new backup file, either in the default iTunes backup location or anywhere on your preferred computer. Click the "Browse" option, then click the "OK" button to start backing up iOS data.
Video Guide:
iTunes is an official software provided by Apple that allows you to manage your iOS devices, as well as back up and restore your data. If you want to transfer files from your iPhone to your PC using iTunes, you need to download and install iTunes on your PC first. Here is how to transfer files from iPhone to PC using iTunes:
2.1 How to Share Files from iPhone to PC via Data Syncing
Step 1. Before initiating the transfer process, organize all the files you wish to transfer into a single folder. Proceed to install the latest version of iTunes on your mobile device.
Step 2. Using a USB data cable, connect your iPhone to the PC. Once the connection is established, unlock your phone by entering the password.
Step 3. Click on "Trust" to initiate the transfer process. Now, open iTunes, click on your device, and choose the type of files you want to transfer, such as photos, books, music, or podcast files.
Step 4. Click the "Sync" button, select the folder or files you want to transfer, and then click the "Apply" button. The data will be backed up on iTunes, and you can retrieve the files from there on any device.
2.2 How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Windows via File Sharing
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB data cable, and then launch iTunes on the computer.
Step 2. From the "Devices" section of the iTunes window, select your device. Then, navigate to the "File Sharing" option.
Step 3. A list of shareable files will appear, and you can choose files by either dragging and dropping or clicking the "Save to" button.
If you want to transfer files from iPhone to PC without cable, iCloud is a good choice. Its main advantage lies in the ability to wirelessly transfer files from iPhone to computer. However, a stable internet connection and sufficient iCloud storage space are necessary. You can accomplish the entire transfer process through the iCloud for Windows application or iCloud.com. Here is how to transfer files from iPhone to PC using iCloud:
How to Transfer iPhone to PC Using iCloud for Windows
Step 1. Ensure that you have iCloud for Windows installed on your PC.
Step 2. Then, launch the iCloud for Windows application and sign in with your Apple ID and password.
Step 3. Once signed in, you'll be presented with options to customize iCloud settings. Choose the items you want to sync, such as Photos, Contacts, Calendars, and more. Click on "Apply" to confirm your selections.
How to Get Files from iPhone to Computer via iCloud.com
Step 1. On your iPhone, open "Settings" and then tap on your Apple ID. Click on "iCloud", then choose the types of files you want to sync, such as photos, and toggle the corresponding switch to enable synchronization.
Step 2. On your PC, open a browser and visit iCloud.com. Log in with your Apple ID.
Step 3. Select the category you want to copy.
Step4. Choose the items you wish to transfer, and then download them to your PC.
If you don't want to download software, Windows users can directly transfer files from iPhone to PC using Windows File Explorer. Windows File Explorer is a built-in file management tool in the Windows operating system. It allows you to browse and manage files and folders on your PC. While it also enables you to transfer files from iPhone to PC, it's important to note that it only supports files of two types: photos and videos.
Here is how to transfer files from iPhone to PC using a USB cable:
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your PC using a USB cable, then follow the on-screen prompts to allow your iPhone to trust this computer.
Step 2. On your PC, open Windows File Explorer, and locate and click on the icon representing your iPhone in the left panel.
Step 3. Double-click on "Internal Storage", then double-click on "DCIM". You will see folders named with numbers containing photos and videos from your iPhone.
Step 4. Open the folder you want to copy from, then select the files you wish to copy or choose "Select All".
Step 5. Right-click on the selected files, then choose "Copy" or "Cut".
Step 6. Navigate to the location where you want to save the files, right-click on an empty space, and select "Paste" to initiate the process of copying files from your iPhone to your PC.
Google Drive stands out for its accessibility, versatile tools, and seamless integration with the entire Google ecosystem. It offers 15GB of free storage, and even its paid plans are more generous and affordable compared to most competitors, including Dropbox. In short, it's cheaper and gives you more.
When it comes to convenience, Google Drive is one of the easiest platforms to use. As long as you're signed in with the same Google account on your iPhone and PC, transferring files is simple and fast.
Step 1. On your iPhone, open the Google Drive app. Tap the "+ Add" button and choose "Upload."
Step 2. Select the files you want to move, and they'll automatically be uploaded to your Drive.
Step 3. To access them on your PC right away, open Google Drive in your browser, right-click the files, and choose "Download."<
For transferring small files or a few files, email is also a convenient option. You can send the files as attachments to yourself and then download them on your PC.
Here is how to transfer files from iPhone to PC Wirelessly using email:
Step 1. Open the Mail app on your iPhone and create a new email.
Step 2. Tap the attachment button in the email, select the files you want to transfer and attach them.
Step 3. Send the email to your own email address.
Step 4. On your PC, open your email inbox, find the email you just sent, and download the attachments to your computer.
Q1. How to transfer files from iPhone to PC via Bluetooth?
You cannot transfer files from iPhone to PC using Bluetooth. While Bluetooth is available on both devices, iOS does not support file transfer over Bluetooth to a PC. Bluetooth on iPhones is primarily used for connecting to accessories like headphones, speakers, or other Apple devices. However, you can transfer files between an iPhone and a Mac via Bluetooth using AirDrop.
Q2: Can I transfer files from my iPhone to PC wirelessly?
Yes, you can move files from your iPhone to your PC wirelessly using iCloud, Google Drive, or other cloud storage services. While this method is more convenient and doesn't require any cables, it may take a bit longer than a wired transfer. Just make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network for a stable and smooth transfer.
Q3. Why can't transfer files from iPhone to PC?
If you're unable to transfer files from iPhone to PC, it could be due to the following reasons:
This article introduces six methods to transfer files from iPhone to PC, regardless of whether you have iTunes, wirelessly or via a USB cable. You can choose the method that suits your preferences and needs.
However, if you are looking for a simple, fast, comprehensive, and secure solution, we strongly recommend using Coolmuster iOS Assistant. It is a professional iOS data management software that allows you to transfer all files from iPhone to PC with just one click. It also provides the option to selectively transfer your preferred files. You can download and try Coolmuster iOS Assistant, and we believe you will find it highly satisfactory.
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