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  • Transfer and manage all data like photos, videos, music, messages, etc. on your phone.
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How To Transfer Files From PC To iPhone? Find Out Now

James Davis

Mar 08, 2024 • Filed to: Manage Device Data • Proven solutions

Transferring photos, videos, music and other files from your Windows PC or Mac to your iPhone is useful for backing up your important documents, accessing your media on the go, and freeing up space on your computer. While you've traditionally needed to use iTunes to sync content between an iPhone and computer, modern versions of iOS and macOS offer wireless options like iCloud Drive.

girl using iphone and mac

In this guide, we'll cover the multiple methods you can use to transfer files and folders from your laptop or desktop to your iPhone. Whether you want to move your files using a wired connection, or cloud storage, we've got you covered. We'll provide simple, step-by-step instructions for using iTunes, iCloud Drive, and third party apps. With just a USB cable, an internet connection, or proximity to your iPhone, you'll learn how to easily send your documents, photos, videos, music library and other media to your device.

By the end, you'll know multiple ways to transfer files from your Windows or Apple computer to your iPhone for easy access on the go. Let's get started!

Part I: Why Transfer Files From PC To iPhone?

girl using iphone

There are many great reasons to transfer files and folders from your Windows PC or Mac to your iPhone.

For one, it allows you to free up storage space on your computer by moving files, photos, videos, music and documents you want mobile access to over to your phone. As our digital lives become increasingly cluttered with large media files, offloading what you realistically only need on-the-go access for can help declutter your laptop or desktop.

Additionally, transferring certain files to your iPhone can serve as a backup of your most important documents, should something happen to your computer. Whether it's unique photos, key work files, or must-keep videos, keeping a copy on your iPhone ensures you'll still have access from anywhere if your computer is damaged, lost or stolen.

You may also want certain media files like ebooks, videos, movies and songs saved locally on your iPhone for continued access even when you don't have an internet connection. If you commute via subway, travel frequently by plane or will be somewhere remote with limited connectivity, transferring files ahead of time ensures you'll still have entertainment and reading materials handy.

Finally, you may simply want to free up iCloud storage space on your iPhone. If you have a lot of documents or photos filling up your online account storage, transferring them directly to your device can spare you from paying monthly for extra cloud capacity.

Part II: Transfer Files From PC To iPhone Using iTunes

file sharing option on itunes

Moving photos, videos, documents and other files between your iPhone and laptop or desktop doesn't have to be complicated. By following these simple steps, you'll have the important files you need accessible on all your devices.

Step 1: First, connect your iPhone to your Windows or Mac computer using the charging cable that came with your phone. This connects the two devices so they can share files.

Step 2: Next, open iTunes on your computer. iTunes is an app built to sync iPhone content with your computer. In the top left corner, click the little phone icon to access iPhone file sharing controls.

file sharing phone icon on itunes on your PC

Step 3: Now along the left side of the iTunes window, find and click the "File Sharing" option. This is where you manage file transfers in both directions.

file sharing on itunes

Step 4: In the file sharing screen, select the app on your iPhone you want to transfer files to or save files from. For photos, choose the Photos app. For documents, select an app like iBooks.

Step 5: Finally, click Add and select files on your computer to transfer to your iPhone. To save iPhone files to your computer, select them first and click Save To. Choose where to save the copied files.

Part III: Transfer Files From PC To iPhone Using Cloud Services

girl using mac

The cloud makes transferring files from your Windows PC or Mac to your iPhone easy since everything is stored online. Follow these simple steps for seamless file sharing:

Step 1: First, sign in to your free iCloud account on both devices. On your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap your name at the top. Then enable iCloud Drive.

iCloud settings on iphone

Step 2: Next, on your computer, install the iCloud app from Apple to sync everything via the cloud. Turn on iCloud Drive there as well in the settings.

Step 3: Now when you save photos, documents, videos or other files to iCloud Drive on your computer or iPhone, it will automatically appear on both devices!

Want to transfer something new? On your iPhone, use the Files app to save it to iCloud Drive. Or on your computer, save it directly to the iCloud Drive folder. It will instantly be available on the other device.

The Files app on your iPhone lets you access everything in iCloud Drive and makes transferring files a breeze. The iCloud desktop app does the same for easy organization.

With just a few clicks, you can have all your important files backed up both on your computer and iPhone via iCloud. It keeps everything seamlessly in sync across devices automatically.

Part IV: Transfer Files From PC To iPhone Using USB Cable

iphone connected to PC via USB cable

Using the charging cable that came with your iPhone, you can easily move files from your Windows or Mac computer to your phone. Follow these straightforward steps:

Step 1: First, plug one end of the lightning cable into your iPhone and plug the full-size USB connector into an open port on your computer. This physically connects the two to allow file transfer.

Step 2: Next, on your PC you should see a popup asking what you want to do when connected. Select "File Transfer" to enable sharing files between devices.

Step 3: Now find the file you want to move from your computer to your phone. Click and drag the file over to your iPhone which will be displayed in the file manager.

Step 4: To transfer in the other direction, open your iPhone's file browser, select a file like a photo or document, and drag it over to a folder on your computer like Documents or Pictures.

Step 5: Once the file copy finishes in either direction, you can safely disconnect the cable and the transferred files will now be available on both devices!

Part V: Recommend Solution: Transfer Files From PC To iPhone with Dr.Fone

files transfer from pc to iphone on dr.fone

If you want a simple app to handle moving files across devices, Dr.Fone makes wireless or wired iPhone file transfers super easy.

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Dr.Fone Basic

Backup & Restore iOS Data Turns Flexible.

  • One-click to back up the whole iOS device to your computer.
  • Preview and selectively restore files to any device with simplicity.
  • Export what you want from the backup to your computer.
  • Your device's data remains intact during the restore process.
  • Supports iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and the latest iOS version.
Available on: Windows Mac
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Step 1: First, download and install the Dr.Fone app on both your computer and iPhone. Open it up and connect both devices either wirelessly over WiFi or with the charging cable.

dr.fone launch and activation on pc

Step 2: In Dr.Fone on your computer, click the "File Manager" section. Here you'll see everything stored on your iPhone.

transfer files from pc to iphone with dr.fone

Step 3: To import files, click Add File and select files from your PC.

Step 4: To export iPhone photos, documents or other files to your computer, click the file then click Export. Choose where to save it on your computer.

You can also create folders, search for files, or organize transfers however you like in Dr.Fone. It handles the file sharing process seamlessly end-to-end.

transfer files from pc to iphone with dr.fone

With dedicated file management tools, Dr.Fone simplifies what can otherwise be a complicated process of moving files across devices. In just a few taps, you'll have files transferred from PC to iPhone or vice versa! Give Dr.Fone's seamless cross-device transfer features a try.

Conclusion

Transferring files between your PC and iPhone is easier than ever with the various wired and wireless methods now available. Whether you want to move your precious photos, important documents, entertaining videos, favorite songs, or any other media and files, you have multiple simple options at your fingertips.

Using just a lightning cable, WiFi connection, or iCloud Drive, you can quickly share files in both directions for greater mobility, expanded device storage, backup protection, and general convenience. iTunes and specialized third party apps take a lot of the hassle out of maintaining the same files across all your devices.

With the step-by-step instructions provided in this guide for using iTunes, iCloud Drive, and apps like Dr.Fone Basic, you are now equipped to know how to transfer files conveniently between PC and iPhone. So try out the method that best matches your needs and get your important computer files on the go! Syncing your devices doesn't need to be difficult or time-consuming.

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James Davis

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