How to Transfer Photos From iPhone to Windows
Copy iPhone camera roll photos to your Windows computer without cable disconnects or iCloud storage paywalls. Retain full resolution and HEIC quality.
Transferring full-resolution photos from an iPhone to a Windows PC over local Wi-Fi avoids USB connection dropouts and cloud storage subscription fees. Learn how to copy images directly to File Explorer in original quality.
Why copying iPhone photos over USB cable fails on Windows
When you connect an iPhone to a Windows PC using a Lightning or USB-C cable and attempt to copy photos through File Explorer, transfers often crash with the error: "A device attached to the system is not functioning."
This occurs because iOS attempts to convert HEIC photos to JPEG on the fly during USB transfers. When transferring large photo batches, the iPhone processor overheats or runs out of conversion buffer memory, abruptly dropping the USB connection.
The wireless Wi-Fi solution
By using iFileSender, your photos are streamed as raw files directly from the iPhone Photo Library to your Windows browser over local Wi-Fi. Because files transfer without on-the-fly transcoding, the connection remains rock solid.
Step-by-step instructions
- Open the tool: Open Safari on iPhone and visit iFileSender iPhone to Windows.
- Choose your photos: Tap the file selector, click Photo Library, and select your photos.
- Pair with Windows: Enter the 6-digit room code on your Windows PC browser.
- Download to PC: Click Accept & Download on Windows. Your photos arrive in your Downloads folder in full resolution.
Frequently asked questions
How do I view iPhone HEIC photos on Windows 10 or 11?
Install the free "HEIF Image Extensions" from the Microsoft Store, or open them directly in image viewers like IrfanView or Adobe Lightroom.
iPhone ↔ Windows File Transfer Tool
Move your camera roll and videos to your Windows PC without iTunes or cables in seconds.