To transfer photos to a Windows 11 PC, connect your unlocked phone with a USB cable that supports data, open Microsoft Photos, choose Import, select the phone, then choose the photos and where to save them. Android may need its USB mode changed to File Transfer; an iPhone may ask you to trust the computer. If the photos are already backed up online, downloading them from the cloud can be easier.
Use Microsoft Photos for a direct USB import
- Connect the phone to the PC with a USB cable that supports file transfer and matches the ports on both devices. A charging-only cable will not work for copying files.
- Turn on and unlock the phone. Keep it unlocked while Windows detects it.
- Open Photos from the Windows Start menu.
- Select Import, choose the connected phone, and follow the prompts.
- Select the photos or videos you want, choose a destination folder, and start the import. Wait for the transfer to finish, then open that folder and confirm the files are there before disconnecting or deleting anything from the phone.
Microsoft Support’s guidance begins: “First, connect your phone to a PC with a USB cable that can transfer files.” Microsoft’s import instructions cover the Photos workflow for both platforms.
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What to do differently on Android
Android phones can default to charging when connected. If Windows does not show the phone’s files, change the USB mode on the phone:
- Unlock the phone and swipe down to open notifications.
- Tap Charging this device via USB.
- Under Use USB for, select File Transfer.
- When Windows opens a file-transfer window, browse the phone and copy or drag the photos to a folder on the PC.
- When finished, eject the device in Windows before unplugging it.
These steps are also useful if you prefer to browse folders rather than select items in Photos. Google notes that not every USB cable can transfer files; try another data-capable cable if the phone remains undetected. See Google’s Android file-transfer instructions.
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Prepare an iPhone for import
Apple instructs Windows users to install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store. Connect the iPhone, unlock it, and tap Trust or Allow if asked whether to trust the computer. Then use the Microsoft Photos import steps above.
If iCloud Photos is enabled, some originals may be stored in iCloud rather than on the iPhone. Download the original, full-resolution photos to the phone before importing over USB, or use iCloud for Windows to access the cloud library. Apple also offers a Most Compatible camera setting for future captures, using JPEG and H.264 formats; this is an optional compatibility choice, not a requirement for every transfer. See Apple’s instructions for transferring photos from an iPhone or iPad.
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Choose the route that fits your photos
| Route | Best suited to | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Photos app over USB | Importing selected photos and videos into a chosen PC folder | Requires an unlocked phone and data-capable cable. iPhone trust and iCloud-original steps may apply. Microsoft Support |
| Android USB File Transfer | Browsing and copying Android folders directly | Select File Transfer on the phone and eject it from Windows before unplugging. Google Android Help |
| Cloud download | Photos already backed up to Google Photos, OneDrive, or iCloud | You are accessing the cloud library, which may not match files stored locally on the phone. iCloud Photos needs enough cloud storage for the collection. Microsoft Support and Apple Support |
| Phone Link recent photos | Quick access to recent photos from a linked Android phone | Microsoft’s import guidance describes recent photos only, not videos. Its feature-specific page says Android 7.0 or newer; general Phone Link requirements differ. Import guidance and Phone Link requirements |
| Linked Android phone in File Explorer | Browsing phone folders alongside PC files | Items shown are online-only. Copy or save a local PC copy before deleting; deleting in this view can remove the item from the phone. Microsoft Support |
Use Phone Link or File Explorer for linked Android access
Phone Link: recent photos, not a full import
Phone Link can show and copy recent Android photos without a USB connection, but Microsoft’s import guidance says this view is limited to recent photos and does not include videos. That feature page lists Android 7.0 or newer. Microsoft’s general Phone Link requirements page lists Android 10 or later and the same Wi-Fi network, so check the requirements for the specific feature you intend to use rather than treating one threshold as universal. See Microsoft’s Phone Link requirements.
File Explorer: enable the linked phone view
- On Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices > Manage mobile devices.
- Enable Show mobile device in File Explorer.
- Select the phone in File Explorer to browse its linked files.
- Copy, paste, drag and drop, or use Save As to create a local PC copy before you remove anything from the phone.
This is a linked view, not a backup. Microsoft says the displayed files are online-only, and deleting an item there can permanently remove it from the phone. Details are in Microsoft’s File Explorer mobile-device guidance.
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- Transfer speeds up to 100MB/s: Based on internal testing, performance may vary depending upon the host device, interface, and usage conditions. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes
- Plug and Play: Widely compatible with USB Type-C smartphones, tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required. The 360° swivel design allows for easy switching between connectors without the hassle of losing a cap
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Fix common transfer problems
- The phone does not appear in Photos or Windows: Unlock it, check the cable supports data transfer, and try another cable or port. On iPhone, accept the trust prompt if it appears; on Android, change the USB mode to File Transfer. Microsoft notes that cable capabilities and speeds vary, and Google warns that some cables only charge.
- The Android phone only charges: Tap the USB notification and choose File Transfer under Use USB for.
- An iPhone photo is missing from the import: Check whether iCloud Photos is on and the original is stored only in iCloud. Download the full-resolution original to the phone or access it through iCloud for Windows.
- A recent Android photo is missing from Phone Link: The recent-photo view is not a complete library or video import. Use USB or a cloud library for other items, and check the requirements for the specific Phone Link feature.
- A file seems to vanish after browsing in File Explorer: The linked view is online-only, and deletion can affect the phone. Copy or save files to the PC before cleanup.
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