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Can't Import Photos from iPhone to Windows 10/8/7 - 10 Solutions

author Carrie Murray
date Friday, October 22, 2021
Summary:

Why won't my pictures import to my computer? Why can't I import photos from iPhone to Windows 10/8/7?If you have these questions, then try out FonePaw DoTrans to glet your computer recognize the connected iPhone and import pictures and videos fast and easily.

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There are many ways to import photos from iPhone to PC: iTunes, FonePaw DoTrans, Windows Photos, Autoplay, Picasa and more. The most direct way to transfer photos from iPhone to PC is clicking Import on Autoplay window(Windows 7) and on Photos app(Windows 10/8).

However, importing photos from iPhone doesn't always work. Somehow, you can't import photos from iPhone to PC with Windows showing prompts like:

Can't Import Photos from iPhone

If you can't import pictures from iPhone because you can't view iPhone photos on PC or not all photos can be imported from iPhone to PC, here are the solutions you can try to fix the issue. If you are looking for a better way to transfer iPhone photos, try FonePaw DoTrans, which can import not only photos but also videos, music, contacts from iPhone to PC, or vice versa.

Why Won't My Pictures Import to My Computer?

Photos can't import from iPhone to computer possibly because of one of the following reasons.

  • Faulty USB cable;

  • iPhone doesn't trust the computer;

  • Apple components are not properly installed on your computer;

  • USB connection between iPhone and your computer cannot set up as USB driver is corrupted;

  • File permissions for Pictures folder on your computer has been changed because of Windows update;

  • Some of your iPhone photos are stored on iCloud so not all photos on you iPhone can be imported.

1. Change A New USB Cable to import photos from iPhone

If possible, get an official Apple USB cable to connect your iPhone to computer. Some third-party USB cables can make your iPhone recognized by the computer and even let you view iPhone photos on PC, but it can't import your iPhone photos to PC. So try to import iPhone photos with a different USB cable to ensure that the USB cable is not the problem.

2. Let iPhone Trust Your Computer

Keep your iPhone unlock when connecting your iPhone to PC via USB cable. Once it is connected, a notification will pop up on iPhone home screen asking if the iPhone would like to trust the computer. Tap Trust.

Let iPhone Trust Your Computer

Once the computer is trusted, you should be able to choose Import photos and videos to transfer photos with Windows' Photos app (Or go to Portable Devices, right-click your iPhone, and press Import Pictures and videos). Also, you can access your iPhone photos on File Manager > Your iPhone > DICM folder.

3. Import Photos from iPhone to Windows PC with FonePaw DoTrans

If you have trouble importing photos from iPhone to Windows PC, you can get help from a third-party data transfer tool - FonePaw DoTrans.

Not only photos but also videos, music, movies, contacts, messages on the iPhone can be imported into PC via DoTrans. And with DoTrans, not only iPhone photos can be imported to PC but also photos on PC can be transferred to iPhone, and photos can be transferred between iPhone and Android.

Import photos from iPhone to PC with DoTrans.

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STEP 1. Launch FonePaw DoTrans on PC. (Your computer should have iTunes for DoTrans to work properly)

STEP 2. Connect iPhone to computer and contents on your iPhone will be displayed on DoTrans.

connect iPhone to computer

STEP 3. Click Photos and select the photos you want to import to PC and click Export to PC.

Import Photos to PC with DoTrans

4. Install Apple Mobile Device Support and Restart the Apple Mobile Device Service (AMDS)

Apple Mobile Device Support and Apple Mobile Device Service is used to help your computer to communicate with iPhone. So if they are not functioning, the computer can't recognize your iPhone and thus you can't import photos from iPhone.

First of all, make sure that Apple Mobile Device Support is installed on your PC. Open Control Panel > Programs and Features and see if Apple Mobile Device Support is listed. If not, Apple Mobile Device Support is missing on your PC so you have to reinstall iTunes to get Apple Mobile Device Support.

Apple Mobile Device Support

If Apple Mobile Device Support is already installed but photos can't import from iPhone to PC, try to restart Apple Mobile Device Service. Keep iTunes closed and your iPhone disconnected. Then open the Run window on PC, enter services.msc to open Services window. On the list, find Apple Mobile Device Service, right click it and choose Properties. Set Startup type as Automatic from drop down list.

First click the Stop button to stop the Apple Mobile Device Service.

Then click the Start button to restart the service.

Restart Apple Mobile Device Service

5. Update Apple Mobile Device USB Driver

On your Windows PC, go to Device Manager and find Apple Mobile Device USB Driver under Universal Serial Bus controller(If Apple Mobile Device USB Driver is missing, learn how to reinstall Apple Mobile Device USB Driver on Windows). If there is "!" or "?" next to the driver's name, uninstall the drive and then reinstall it.

Update Apple Mobile Driver Software

6. Change Pictures Folder Permission to let Pictures Import to Computer

If your computer doesn't have full control of the Pictures folder, the computer won't import photos from iPhone. So get full control permission for the Pictures folder on your PC.

STEP 1. Go to This PC > Pictures folder.

STEP 2. Right click the folder and select Properties > Security > Edit.

STEP 3. Highlight one of the account names and check Full Control under Allow.

Get Full Control Permissionx

If you want to give full control permission to all accounts. Click on Add button under user names. In Enter the object names to select field, enter Everyone and click Check Names > OK. The Everyone group is created. Now you need to give Full control permission to Everyone.

7. Reset Your iPhone's Location and Privacy Settings

Another trick you can try is resetting Location and Privacy Settings for your iPhone.

STEP 1. Disconnect your iPhone from the computer.

STEP 2. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset location & privacy.

STEP 3. After reset, plug your iPhone to the computer and trust the computer. You should be able to import pictures from iPhone to PC now.

Reset Location and Privacy

8. Import Smaller Selections of Photos from iPhone to PC

If you can see iPhone photos on PC but can't import the photos from iPhone, you can try to import only a small portion of photos on your iPhone to PC for one time. Some users found they can't import all thousands of photos on their iPhones to PC at once. A batch of 250-300 photos is recommended to import from iPhone to PC at a time.

If you want to import all iPhone photos at once, try FonePaw DoTrans, a data transfer tool for iPhone to transfer photos, videos, music, and more.

9. Turned off Antivirus Programs

If you have antivirus programs installed on your computer, disable the program temporarily when importing iPhone photos to PC.

If you don’t want to disable your antivirus, you can just check its configuration and try to disable those features related to removable storage.

10. Use iCloud to Import photos from iPhone to Windows 10/8/7

If you can’t import photos from iPhone to Windows 10, you can try to use iCloud to finish the transfer. One of the directories on iCloud should contain your pictures and by accessing it you’ll be able to transfer them to your PC.

After all, we still recommend you use specialized transfer data software such as DoTransand try to transfer the photos through it. Using dedicated software not only helps you to sync your iPhone photos with your PC, but also allows you to keep safe your music/image/video libraries in case of your iOS device being damaged or lost.

If you still cannot import photos from iPhone to Windows PC, contact us and our support team will reach out to you very soon.

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