Senior Computer Class

Everyday tasks

Copy your phone photos to your computer.

This guide uses a USB cable and a Windows computer. The goal is to make a copy, not to move or delete your originals.

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What you need

Have your phone, a Windows computer, and a USB cable that fits both. Some cables only charge a phone; you need one that can also transfer data. Keep the phone charged and unlocked during the import.

These steps use the Windows Photos app. Labels may differ by version. If you use a Mac, this is not the right set of steps for your computer.

Connect your phone

  1. Plug the phone into the computer with the USB cable.
  2. Unlock the phone yourself.
  3. On an iPhone: if it asks whether to trust the computer, choose Trust only if this is your own trusted computer. Enter your phone passcode yourself if asked. Windows may also need Apple’s Apple Devices app installed before it recognizes the phone; get it from the Microsoft Store, not a popup or an unfamiliar download site.
  4. On Android: tap the USB notification on your phone and choose File transfer or Transfer photos. The wording varies by phone.

If the phone only charges and never appears on the computer, try another data-capable cable or USB port. Do not install software offered by an unexpected popup.

Import a few pictures first

  1. Open the Photos app from the Windows Start menu.
  2. Choose Import, then your connected phone or USB device.
  3. Wait for the photos to appear. Select a few pictures as a test.
  4. Review the destination folder so you know where the copies will be saved.
  5. Leave any option to delete originals after importing off.
  6. Start the import and leave the phone connected until it finishes.

If your iPhone stores full-size originals only in iCloud, some pictures may not be available for USB import. Do not turn off cloud services or delete photos to try to fix that. Pause and get help choosing a download method.

Check before changing anything

Open the imported pictures on your computer. Check that they look right and that you can find their folder again. Keep the originals on your phone until you have checked the copies and have a backup plan.

Cloud photo services can synchronize deletions between devices. Deleting a photo in one place can remove it elsewhere, so copying photos is not a reason to start deleting them.

Browse the other guides or bring your photo question to a first session.