How to Send Pictures from Your Cell Phone to Your Computer

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to move photos from your iPhone or Android onto your Windows or Mac computer.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

On Windows using a Cable

PDF download Download Article
  1. Attach the charger end of the USB charger cable to the phone, then attach the other end to your computer's USB port.
  2. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
    Advertisement
  3. This will bring up the Photos application in the Start menu.
  4. It's at the top of the Start menu. This icon resembles a couple of mountain peaks on a colored background. The Photos app will open.
  5. It's in the upper-right side of the Photos window.
  6. This link is on the right side of the window.
  7. Your computer will search for connected items, such as a USB flash drive and your phone. This may take awhile.
  8. By default, every photo and video on your phone is selected; click selected photos to de-select them, or click Clear all to de-select every photo and video and then click only the ones you want to move.
  9. It's at the bottom of the window.
  10. You can change the following items before importing:
    • Import folder - To change the folder into which your photos upload, click the Change where they're imported link, then click a folder you'd like to use and click Add this folder to Pictures .
    • Sort type - Click the drop-down box in the middle of the window, then click either Day or Month
    • Keep photos on phone - Check the box near the bottom of the window to delete the photos from your phone once they've been moved, or leave it unchecked to keep the photos on your phone.
  11. It's at the bottom of the window. This will prompt the photos to begin moving onto your computer.
    12. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

On Windows using Nearby Share

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Download and install the Nearby Share app on your Windows PC. It can be downloaded from the Android Nearby Share for Windows Website .
  2. 2
    Sign in with your Google Account. By signing in with your Google Account, you can sync your Google Contacts and change discoverability settings to only be visible to your contacts or only to your own devices. You can also opt to not use an account.
  3. 3
    Set up Nearby Share by choosing a device name. This device name will be used to identify your device and it will be visible to other people.
  4. 4
    Choose device discoverability settings. On the setup page, click on the option inside the "Receiving" box to select who will be capable of discovering your device via nearby share. You can opt to be visible to Everyone, only to your Contacts (contacts from your Google Account), only to your devices (requires a Google Account), or to no one. If you signed up with the same Google Account on your phone, you can choose "Your devices." If not, select "Everyone." You can choose to be temporarily be visible to everyone or be visible all the time.
  5. 5
    Go back to the setup page and click Done. You can choose to help improve the app by allowing the app to automatically send usage info and crash reports to Google.
  6. Nearby share requires Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Your computer should now be visible to other devices.
  7. Nearby Share is available for Android 6 and up. The nearby share icon is shown in the picture.
  9. 9
    Accept the file on your PC.
    10. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using iPhone on Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. Attach the charger end of the USB charger cable to the phone, then attach the other end to your computer's USB port.
    • If your Mac doesn't have a USB port, you will need to purchase a USB-C to USB-3.0 adapter.
  2. Click the Photos app icon, which resembles a multicolored pinwheel on a white background. You'll find this in your Mac's Dock.
  3. This is in the upper-right side of the window.
  4. Click each photo that you want to import to select it.
    • You can also just click Import All New Photos in the top-right corner of the Photos window.
  5. This button is near the top-right side of the Photos window. Doing so will prompt the photos to begin copying onto your Mac.
    • Skip this step if you clicked Import All New Photos .
  6. Depending on how many photos you have to import, this process' time will vary.
  7. When prompted, click either Delete Items or Keep Items . This will either delete the photos from your iPhone or keep them on your iPhone, respectively.
    8. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Using Android on Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. Use the Android's charging cable to connect your Android to one of your computer's USB ports.
    • If your Mac doesn't have a USB port, you will need to purchase a USB-C to USB-3.0 adapter.
    • If your Android prompts you to select a connection type, tap Media device (MTP) on its screen before continuing.
  2. To do so:
  3. If Android File Transfer doesn't launch automatically, click the spaceship icon in your Dock, then click the green Android mascot icon.
  4. Depending on where the photos you want to transfer are stored and what kind of storage is available on your Android, you may see a slightly different option here.
  6. This is where all of your Android's photos are stored. Doing so will bring up a list of your Android's photos.
    • Depending on whether or not your photos are in an album, you may have to open another folder before continuing.
  7. Click and drag your mouse across the photos you want to move onto your computer to select them. You can also hold down the ⌘ Command key while clicking individual photos to select them independently.
    • To select all photos in a folder, press ⌘ Command + A .
  8. This menu item is in the upper-left side of your Mac's screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
  9. It's near the top of the Edit menu.
  10. Click the blue, face-like app in your Mac's Dock.
  11. Click a folder (e.g., All My Files ) on the left side of the Finder window to select it as your photos' save location.
  12. The Edit drop-down menu will reappear.
  13. This will copy the photos from your Android onto your Mac, though it may take a few minutes for all of the selected photos to transfer.
    14. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Using Google Drive

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you don't already have Google Drive, you can download it for iPhone or download it for Android before continuing. Google Drive is free to download and use.
  2. Tap the Google Drive app icon, which resembles a green, blue, and yellow triangle. Google Drive will open if you're logged in.
    • If you aren't logged in, you'll first need to select a Google account to use with Google Drive. Make sure that this is an account that you can use on your computer as well.
  3. It's a blue button in the lower-right side of the screen. A menu will open.
  4. This upward-facing arrow icon is in the menu.
  5. Doing so will open your phone's Photos app.
    • On Android, you'll instead tap Images here.
  6. Tap an album if necessary, then tap each photo you want to upload to select them.
  7. It's in the top-right corner of the screen.
  8. This time will vary depending on how many photos you're uploading and the strength of your Internet connection.
  9. In a web browser, go to https://drive.google.com/ . Your Google Drive main page will open if you're already logged in.
    • If you aren't logged in, click Go to Google Drive in the middle of the page, then enter your email address and password.
    • If you're logged into multiple Google accounts, make sure you're opening the same account in Drive as you used on your phone. You can click your name badge in the top-right corner of the Google Drive page and select the correct account.
  10. Click and drag your mouse across the photos that you uploaded. They will be highlighted in blue.
  11. It's in the upper-right corner of the page. A drop-down menu will appear.
  12. This option is in the drop-down menu. Doing so will prompt all selected photos to begin downloading onto your computer.
  13. Once your download is complete, you can open the pictures' folder to view the pictures on your computer.
    14. Advertisement


Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I transfer photos from phone to Mac without USB?
    Mobile Kangaroo
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
    Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities.
    Mobile Kangaroo
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
    Expert Answer
    Use iCloud to upload to your Mac. As long as you're using iCloud Photo Library you never have to manually transfer anything. Photos upload directly to the cloud without user involvement. If you have a Mac, open the Photos app and select your phone to import any photos you'd like.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How do I transfer files from my Android to my computer wirelessly?
    Mobile Kangaroo
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
    Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities.
    Mobile Kangaroo
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
    Expert Answer
    Android phone can sync automatically to Google Photos. With Google Drive and Google Photos, your android phone can upload automatically without getting involved. You can manage and download your photos by going to the Google Photo website.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question
    How can I get an Android phone to accept an external SD card?
    Community Answer
    That depends on a couple things. First, your phone has to actually have an SD card slot. Many modern Android phones don't. Second, your phone has to be able to read and write to the type and capacity of SD card you're using. You'll have to do some research on your phone to find out that information.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 11
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • There are phone-specific applications, such as iCloud for iPhone and Google Photos for Android, that allow you to transfer photos back and forth between your computer and your phone via app and web browser.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • If you decide to use Google Drive, make sure you upload your photos while connected to Wi-Fi. Uploading over a cellular connection will most likely result in extra charges on your monthly bill.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Use a Bluetooth Dongle on Windows or Mac
      How to
      Send Pictures from Your Digital Camera to Your Camera Phone
      How to
      Make Your Cell Phone Battery Last Longer
      How to
      Text Faster
      6 Simple Ways to Send Pictures to a Cell Phone
      How to
      Tell if Your Phone Has Been Tapped
      Safely Remove Water from a Charging Port on Android & iPhone
      11 Possible Fixes to Solve the "Mobile Network Not Available" Error on Android
      How to
      Activate a Double Tap Screen on Android
      How to
      Use a SIM Card to Switch Phones
      How to
      Wake Someone Up over the Phone
      How to
      Attach Phone Charms
      How to
      Make Your Phone Vibrate: Complete Guide
      Why Your Phone Says No Service: 11 Issues and Solutions
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Connect Android to computer via USB.
      2. Open the Windows Photos app.
      3. Click Import .
      4. Click Another device .
      5. Select photos to move.
      6. Click Continue .
      7. Click Import Selected .

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,985,667 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Dolores Juergensen

        Aug 24, 2018

        "Haven't tried it, but it seems easy enough. Old cell is on its way out, and my photos are very important to ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement