How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to MacBook Air
How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to MacBook Air GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Mobile Phones > iPhone & iOS
AirDrop is the next best. Just tap Share in your phone's Photos app and select your MacBook for the transfer.
You can also transfer photos directly via a Lightning Cable and the Photos app on your MacBook. This article explains how to transfer photos from your iPhone to your MacBook Air.
iCloud synching has its limitations. You have a maximum of 5GB of cloud storage to start, and will have to pay for a larger plan if you want to manage a larger amount of data. In order for syncing to work, you need to connect your iPhone to your MacBook. Open your iPhone’s Settings menu, then scroll down and tap on General. From General, tap on iPhone Storage. Find the iCloud Photos menu option and tap Enable, then tap Enable iCloud Photos to confirm. Or you can go into Settings > Photos, then toggle iCloud Photos on. On your MackBook, open the Photos app. If you haven’t used it before it will ask you if you want to enable iCloud, and all you have to to is allow it. If your Photos app doesn’t give you the option on startup, or otherwise has it disabled, click Photos in the menu bar at the top of the screen and then click Preferences. Click the iCloud tab, then click the check box next to iCloud Photos to enable synching. Depending on the size of your photo library it may take some time for everything to fully sync up between your devices, but you’re done! Now any photos you take with your iPhone will appear in your Photos app library on your MacBook automatically.
For AirDrop to work, you’ll need to make sure both your MacBook and iPhone have Wi-Fi enabled, otherwise they won’t be able to find each other. Open your iPhone’s Photos app, then open the photo album you want to transfer photos over from. You can tap a single photo and begin the transfer from there, or if you want to transfer multiple images tap Select at the top of the screen and then tap all the photos you want to copy. Alternatively, if you want to select several images adjacent to one another, you can also tap and drag your finger over them all. Tap the Share icon in the lower-left corner of the screen (it looks like a box with an arrow pointing upwards out of it). From the Share menu tap AirDrop, then select the device you want to transfer the photos to. Depending on your AirDrop settings you might have to click Accept on your MacBook in order for the transfer to go through. Once the process is finished, the transferred photos should appear in your MacBook’s Downloads folder.
Depending on the model of your iPhone and MacBook, your Lightning Cable may not be able to connect, in which case you’ll need an adaptor. Plug the Lightning cable into your iPhone as though you were going to charge it, but remove the power adapter from the other end and plug the other part of the cable into your MacBook. You may need to unlock your iPhone for a full-access connection. Open the Photos app on your MacBook and click iPhone under the Devices section of the sidebar. Click the photos you want to select for copying, or click and drag to select multiple photos at once, then click Import Selected to begin the transfer. Or if you want to transfer everything, click Import All New Items. The imported photos will now appear under both the Imports category and your Library.
If you’re using AirDrop, make sure settings for both your iPhone and MacBook are set to either Contacts Only or Everyone. If Contacts Only isn’t working, Everyone should. If it still refuses to work try toggling between both options once or twice or restarting both devices. If you’ve connected your iPhone to your MacBook with a Lightning Cable and they aren’t recognizing each other, try disconnected and then reconnecting the cable. If that doesn’t work, try restarting one or both devices. If iCloud synching isn’t working, you might have the option turned off for one or both devices. Go back into their respective menus to double-check. If iCloud is enabled but still not working, go into your Apple ID settings on either device and make sure they’re connected. FAQ How do I transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone? To move all of your photos to a new iPhone, back up your original device, and then set up the new one from that backup, which will include all photos, text messages, contacts, and apps. To move just a few at a time, try AirDrop, email, or a cloud-based storage service like Google Photos or Dropbox. How do I transfer photos from Android to iPhone? The Move to iOS app will help you migrate all of your photos and other data from your Android device to a new iPhone. Otherwise, you can send images using online options or a data cable. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Transfer Files Between an iPhone and a Mac How to Sync Contacts from iPhone to Mac How to Access iCloud Photos From Any Apple, Windows, or Android Device How to Transfer Messages from iPhone to iPhone How to Transfer Photos From any Phone to Your Computer How to Download Photos to Your iPad How to Import Photos From an iPhone to a Mac How to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos From iCloud How to Delete Photos From iCloud (While Keeping Them on Your iPhone) How to Delete Photos From iPhone but Not iCloud How to Send a Large Video From iPhone How to Quickly Select Multiple Photos in iOS How to Download Photos from iCloud How to Connect iPhone to Mac How to Import Photos From iPhone to Windows 10 How to Turn on AirDrop on a Mac Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies
How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to MacBook Air
There are several different ways to move media between devices
By Rob Rich Rob Rich News Reporter College for Creative Studies Rob is a freelance tech reporter with experience writing for a variety of outlets, including IGN, Unwinnable, 148Apps, Gamezebo, Pocket Gamer, Fanbolt, Zam, and more. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 19, 2022 Reviewed by Jessica Kormos Reviewed by Jessica Kormos Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share EmailIn This Article
Expand Jump to a Section What Is the Easiest Way to Transfer Photos How Do I Import Photos? How Else Can I Import Photos? Why Can’t I Transfer Photos? Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat to Know
iCloud synching is the most direct solution. Enable iCloud Photos on iPhone, then sync your MacBook's Photos app.AirDrop is the next best. Just tap Share in your phone's Photos app and select your MacBook for the transfer.
You can also transfer photos directly via a Lightning Cable and the Photos app on your MacBook. This article explains how to transfer photos from your iPhone to your MacBook Air.
What Is the Easiest Way to Transfer Photos From iPhone to MacBook Air
The simplest way to transfer photos from your iPhone to your MackBook is to make it automatic. You can do this by setting up synching with iCloud, which will allow you to access your phone’s entire photo library from your laptop. And once it’s set up, the shared library will update itself with every new photo.iCloud synching has its limitations. You have a maximum of 5GB of cloud storage to start, and will have to pay for a larger plan if you want to manage a larger amount of data. In order for syncing to work, you need to connect your iPhone to your MacBook. Open your iPhone’s Settings menu, then scroll down and tap on General. From General, tap on iPhone Storage. Find the iCloud Photos menu option and tap Enable, then tap Enable iCloud Photos to confirm. Or you can go into Settings > Photos, then toggle iCloud Photos on. On your MackBook, open the Photos app. If you haven’t used it before it will ask you if you want to enable iCloud, and all you have to to is allow it. If your Photos app doesn’t give you the option on startup, or otherwise has it disabled, click Photos in the menu bar at the top of the screen and then click Preferences. Click the iCloud tab, then click the check box next to iCloud Photos to enable synching. Depending on the size of your photo library it may take some time for everything to fully sync up between your devices, but you’re done! Now any photos you take with your iPhone will appear in your Photos app library on your MacBook automatically.
How Do I Import Photos to My MacBook Air
The second easiest way to transfer photos between your iPhone and MacBook is via AirDrop. This allows you to select specific pictures or videos and transfer them over individually or in batches, giving you more control over what goes where.For AirDrop to work, you’ll need to make sure both your MacBook and iPhone have Wi-Fi enabled, otherwise they won’t be able to find each other. Open your iPhone’s Photos app, then open the photo album you want to transfer photos over from. You can tap a single photo and begin the transfer from there, or if you want to transfer multiple images tap Select at the top of the screen and then tap all the photos you want to copy. Alternatively, if you want to select several images adjacent to one another, you can also tap and drag your finger over them all. Tap the Share icon in the lower-left corner of the screen (it looks like a box with an arrow pointing upwards out of it). From the Share menu tap AirDrop, then select the device you want to transfer the photos to. Depending on your AirDrop settings you might have to click Accept on your MacBook in order for the transfer to go through. Once the process is finished, the transferred photos should appear in your MacBook’s Downloads folder.
How Else Can I Import Photos to My MacBook Air
Another direct (if slightly slower than AirDrop) option for transferring photos between your devices is to physically connect your iPhone to your MacBook using your phone’s charging cable.Depending on the model of your iPhone and MacBook, your Lightning Cable may not be able to connect, in which case you’ll need an adaptor. Plug the Lightning cable into your iPhone as though you were going to charge it, but remove the power adapter from the other end and plug the other part of the cable into your MacBook. You may need to unlock your iPhone for a full-access connection. Open the Photos app on your MacBook and click iPhone under the Devices section of the sidebar. Click the photos you want to select for copying, or click and drag to select multiple photos at once, then click Import Selected to begin the transfer. Or if you want to transfer everything, click Import All New Items. The imported photos will now appear under both the Imports category and your Library.
Why Can t I Transfer Photos From iPhone to MacBook
There are a few reasons you may have trouble with photo transfers.If you’re using AirDrop, make sure settings for both your iPhone and MacBook are set to either Contacts Only or Everyone. If Contacts Only isn’t working, Everyone should. If it still refuses to work try toggling between both options once or twice or restarting both devices. If you’ve connected your iPhone to your MacBook with a Lightning Cable and they aren’t recognizing each other, try disconnected and then reconnecting the cable. If that doesn’t work, try restarting one or both devices. If iCloud synching isn’t working, you might have the option turned off for one or both devices. Go back into their respective menus to double-check. If iCloud is enabled but still not working, go into your Apple ID settings on either device and make sure they’re connected. FAQ How do I transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone? To move all of your photos to a new iPhone, back up your original device, and then set up the new one from that backup, which will include all photos, text messages, contacts, and apps. To move just a few at a time, try AirDrop, email, or a cloud-based storage service like Google Photos or Dropbox. How do I transfer photos from Android to iPhone? The Move to iOS app will help you migrate all of your photos and other data from your Android device to a new iPhone. Otherwise, you can send images using online options or a data cable. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Transfer Files Between an iPhone and a Mac How to Sync Contacts from iPhone to Mac How to Access iCloud Photos From Any Apple, Windows, or Android Device How to Transfer Messages from iPhone to iPhone How to Transfer Photos From any Phone to Your Computer How to Download Photos to Your iPad How to Import Photos From an iPhone to a Mac How to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos From iCloud How to Delete Photos From iCloud (While Keeping Them on Your iPhone) How to Delete Photos From iPhone but Not iCloud How to Send a Large Video From iPhone How to Quickly Select Multiple Photos in iOS How to Download Photos from iCloud How to Connect iPhone to Mac How to Import Photos From iPhone to Windows 10 How to Turn on AirDrop on a Mac Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies