You want your photos on your computer, to keep them safe or to free up space on your phone. The simplest way is a USB cable and the free Photos app already on your computer. Copying leaves your photos on your phone. On a Mac, leave the Delete items box unticked, and if Photos asks, choose Keep Items.
⚡ The short version
- Connect the phone to the computer with a USB cable that can transfer files.
- Unlock the phone and tap Trust or Allow (iPhone) or choose File Transfer (Android).
- Open Photos on the computer and choose Import.
iPhone to a Mac
Connect and allow
Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable. If your Mac asks to allow the accessory to connect, click Allow.
Open Photos
Open the Photos app on the Mac. If the Import screen doesn't appear, click your iPhone's name in the sidebar. If asked, unlock your iPhone and tap Trust.
Import
Choose an album if you like, then select photos and click Import Selected, or click Import All New Items. If asked whether to delete or keep the items on your iPhone, click Keep Items. Wait for it to finish before you unplug.
iPhone to a Windows PC
Install Apple Devices
Install the free Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store.
Connect, unlock and trust
Connect your iPhone with a USB cable, unlock it, and tap Trust or Allow if asked.
Import with the Photos app
On the PC, select Start, open Photos, select Import, choose your iPhone and follow the steps. You can pick which items to import and where to save them.
- Using iCloud Photos? Apple says you must download the full-resolution originals to your iPhone before importing to a PC. Microsoft adds that photos only in iCloud (not on the phone) won't import this way.
- For best compatibility with Windows, Apple suggests Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible on your iPhone. This applies to new photos from then on.
Android to a computer
Connect and choose File Transfer
Unlock your phone and connect it to the computer with a USB cable. On the phone, tap the Charging this device via USB notification, and under Use USB for, choose File Transfer.
Windows: import or drag
Open the Photos app and select Import, or use the file window that opens to drag your photos to a folder. When you're done, eject the phone in Windows, then unplug.
Chromebook
The Files app opens. Drag your photos across, then unplug.
Just want recent photos on Windows? Microsoft says its Phone Link app (from the Microsoft Store) can view and copy your most recent photos and screenshots without a cable. It doesn't import videos and needs Android 7.0 or newer.
Nothing shows up? Google says not all USB cables can transfer files, so try a different cable. Restart the phone and computer, and update Android.
No cable? Use a backup service
- iPhone: iCloud Photos keeps your photos on all your Apple devices and on iCloud.com. They use your iCloud storage, so check you have enough space first.
- Android: back up with Google Photos and view them from your Google Account on your computer. Microsoft also notes that if your phone's camera syncs to OneDrive or Google Photos, you can download them from there in a web browser.