To export iPhone photos, use AirDrop, a USB connection, or iCloud to copy originals or converted files to a Mac, PC, or external drive.
You’ve got pictures to move fast. Here’s how to export iPhone photos without losing quality or time. This playbook shows clear paths to get photos off an iPhone and onto a Mac, Windows PC, external drive, or a cloud folder. Each route keeps quality in mind, avoids hidden gotchas, and works with current iOS and macOS features.
How to Export iPhone Photos: Step-By-Step
Pick the method that matches your setup. Use the table below as a quick map. Then jump to the section with the steps you need.
| Method | Best Use | Keeps Original? |
|---|---|---|
| AirDrop to Mac | Quick transfers on the same Wi-Fi/Bluetooth | Yes, sends original files |
| Photos On Mac > Export | Bulk export with format control | Yes, via “Export Unmodified Original” |
| USB To Windows | Large libraries to a PC | Yes, through Apple Devices + Photos |
| iCloud Photos > Download | Pull full-res copies from iCloud | Yes, “Download Originals” |
| Files App > External Drive | No-computer copy to SSD/USB-C | Yes, when exporting unmodified |
| iCloud.com | Grab select shots from any browser | Yes, downloads original versions |
| Shared Link (iCloud) | Send a gallery to anyone | Viewers download full-quality |
| Third-Party Cloud | Move into Google Photos, OneDrive | Originals when set to full quality |
Export With AirDrop (Fast For Nearby Apple Devices)
AirDrop moves photos wirelessly to a Mac or another iPhone or iPad. It’s quick for a handful of items and keeps originals, including Live Photos and ProRAW. See Apple’s steps for using AirDrop.
Steps
- On the receiving Mac, open Control Center and set AirDrop to “Contacts Only” or “Everyone for 10 Minutes.”
- On iPhone, open Photos, select the items, tap Share, then AirDrop, and pick the Mac.
- Accept on the Mac. Files land in the Downloads folder by default.
AirDrop uses peer-to-peer transfer over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so it avoids cables and keeps metadata intact. If you send many 4K videos, split the job into batches for better speed.
Export From Photos On Mac (Originals Or Converted)
When your iCloud Photos library is on a Mac, export gives tight control. You can pull unmodified originals, or convert to JPEG, HEIC, or TIFF with custom sizing and color profile. Apple’s page for Photos export lists every switch.
Steps
- Open Photos on the Mac and select items.
- Go to File > Export. Choose Export Unmodified Original to keep raw files, or choose Export to set format, size, and profile.
- Pick the destination folder and confirm.
Picking Export Unmodified Original preserves ProRAW .DNG, HEIC, JPEG, and video codecs as-is. Use the standard Export option when you want JPEG for web or TIFF for a print shop. If edits matter, export with edits applied as JPEG/HEIC and keep a set of originals for archiving.
Export To A Windows PC Over USB
On Windows, a cable is the dependable route. Apple’s Windows utilities pair with the Photos app in Windows to import at full resolution. See Apple’s page on transferring to a Windows PC.
Steps
- Install Apple Devices from the Microsoft Store.
- Connect iPhone by cable, unlock it, and tap Trust on the prompt.
- Open the Windows Photos app and import from the iPhone.
This path is stable for big libraries. Use a high-speed cable and a USB-C port on the PC for best results. For older PCs, try another port if the import quits midway.
Download From iCloud Photos (Mac Or Browser)
If your photos live in iCloud, you can pull full-resolution copies to a Mac or download them from the web. On a Mac, turn on Download Originals to this Mac before export if you plan to process files locally. Apple’s page on downloading iCloud photos shows the exact menu labels.
Steps On A Mac
- Open Photos > Settings > iCloud.
- Select Download Originals to this Mac.
- Wait for sync to finish, select items, then use File > Export.
Steps In A Browser
- Visit iCloud.com and open Photos.
- Select images or albums.
- Click the Download button to save originals.
iCloud keeps edits nondestructive. Exporting originals gives you the raw capture; exporting as JPEG or HEIC applies your edits. Match the goal to the method. If the download drags, leave the Mac awake on power until sync completes.
Copy To An External Drive Directly From iPhone
With USB-C iPhone models, you can write straight to a drive in the Files app. This is handy for travel or when a computer isn’t around.
Steps
- Connect a powered SSD or a low-draw USB-C drive.
- In Photos, select items, tap Share > Save to Files, pick the drive, and save.
- Open Files to verify the copies before you unplug.
Use a drive formatted as exFAT for cross-platform use. If you care about originals, pick Share options that send unmodified files.
File Types You’ll See After Export
iPhone captures span several formats. Knowing them helps you pick a path that preserves what you care about.
Photos
- HEIC for most stills. Compact with high quality.
- JPEG if you set Camera > Formats to Most Compatible.
- Apple ProRAW (.DNG) for flexible editing, larger files.
Video
- HEVC/H.265 for 4K and high-efficiency clips.
- H.264 for broad app support.
- ProRes on supported models; big files for pro work.
AirDrop and unmodified exports keep these formats intact. Converting to JPEG or H.264 boosts compatibility, but you lose some data. Pick based on the destination.
Preserve Dates, Locations, And Albums
Metadata makes your collection searchable. Most export paths keep capture date and camera data. Location and albums may need extra care.
Keep The Right Metadata
- On a Mac, use Export and tick the checkboxes to include location and titles.
- When sharing from iPhone, some apps strip GPS by default; confirm in the share sheet.
- For albums, export by album on a Mac to mirror folders on disk.
Need sidecars for ratings or keywords? Use Photos on the Mac and export with XMP when needed. Many editors can read EXIF and XMP tags later.
Troubleshooting Common Snags
AirDrop Doesn’t Show The Mac
Toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices. Set AirDrop to “Everyone for 10 Minutes.” Restart if the list stays empty.
Windows Import Is Missing Items
Unlock the iPhone before connecting. Use the Windows Photos app, not just File Explorer. Try another cable or USB port if the import stops.
iCloud Download Seems Slow
Big libraries can take time. Leave the Mac awake and on power. Once originals are local, export is instant.
Export Settings On Mac Photos (Cheat Sheet)
Here’s a compact table to help you pick the right switches when you need speed, size control, or top fidelity.
| Setting | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Photo Kind: JPEG | Converts images to .jpg with adjustable quality | Web, email, light edits |
| Photo Kind: HEIC | Efficient files with high quality at small size | Apple devices, storage savings |
| Photo Kind: TIFF | Lossless files with large size | Print labs, archiving |
| Size: Full Size | Exports at original pixel dimensions | Editing, prints |
| Size: Custom | Downscales to a target width or height | Web pages, slides |
| Color Profile: sRGB | Standard web color space | Browsers, common apps |
| Color Profile: Display P3 | Wider gamut on modern screens | Apple displays, vibrant shots |
| Metadata Include | Keep location, titles, keywords | Search and sorting later |
| Live Photo Option | Export still photo, video, or both | Sharing or editing needs |
Which Export Route Should You Use?
Use this rule of thumb. AirDrop for a handful of photos. Photos on a Mac for editing or format control. Windows import for cable speed. iCloud.com for quick grabs on a borrowed computer. Files to a drive when you’re offline. If you came here wondering how to export iPhone photos fast, start with AirDrop and scale up from there.
Close Variation: Exporting iPhone Photos Without Quality Loss
If the goal is a pixel-perfect copy, use AirDrop or Export Unmodified Original on a Mac. Both keep the capture format, depth data, and Live Photo video intact. When you need edits baked in, export as JPEG or HEIC with the color profile you expect to use.
Pro Tips For Speed And Order
- Create albums for each batch before export so your output folders match.
- Sort by date captured, not date exported, to keep events together.
- Use wired Ethernet on the Mac during big iCloud downloads.
- Charge the iPhone and the computer to avoid stalls.
Data Care And Sharing Safety
When you share, confirm the destination. For personal shots, use private links or direct copies. Turn off location in the share sheet when you send images to public sites. Keep one master copy on a drive you control, then share derivatives as needed.
Backup Before You Wipe
Finished the export and ready to clear space? Make two copies first. Keep one on a desk drive and one in a cloud you trust. Name the folders with a date-prefix like “2025-11-London” so sets sort cleanly. Spot-check a few images and a video to be sure files open, color looks right, and metadata survived. Only then empty Recently Deleted on the phone. When friends ask how to export iPhone photos for print, I point them to Export Unmodified Original first, then a JPEG set sized for the lab or online gallery.
You now have clear routes to move pictures off an iPhone with speed and care. Run a small test, check the files, then export the full batch with confidence.