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If you can't import photos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your computer

If you can't import your photos to your computer, or your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch as a camera, try these steps.

See if you can use iCloud Photo Library or My Photo Stream

If you turned on iCloud Photo Library on your Mac and your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, your photos might already be on your computer. Use these steps to check for your photos in Photos for macOS. You can also go to iCloud.com and open the Photos app to see your entire photo library and choose photos to import. If you didn't turn on iCloud Photo Library, try using My Photo Stream to access your photos on your computer.

If you aren't using iCloud Photo Library or My Photo Stream, try the steps below.

Check your connections and update your software

Try to import your photos using a different Apple USB cable.

If you still can't import, update your software:

  1. Check for updates to your photo management software.

  2. Get the latest version of iTunes.

  3. Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

  4. Update your Mac or PC. In Windows, use the Windows Update application.

  5. Try to import your photos again.

Try to import a new photo

  1. Take a new photo or save a screenshot on your iOS device by pressing the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time.

  2. Connect your iOS device to your computer.

  3. Try to import your photos using your photo management software. Or try these steps on your computer:

    • On your Mac, open Image Capture from the Applications folder.

    • On your PC, go to the Microsoft website to learn how to import photos in Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7.

If your computer doesn't see your device, make sure that your device trusts the computer.

Try a different computer

If you don't see the camera entry in the Device Manager, test your iOS device on a different computer. If another computer recognizes the iOS device as a camera, contact Microsoft, or whoever supports Windows on your computer, for help.

If you're using a Mac, try using AirDrop to send your photos to your computer wirelessly.

This document will be updated as more information becomes available.

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