CopyTrans Studio
It’s not a secret that iPhone makes photos in a really good quality and you don’t need any professional camera. All these pictures are stored in your device memory or in iCloud. But what if you need to view iPhone photos on PC without transferring them? Or maybe you want to transfer only part of the Photo Library and that is why you need to access iPhone photos on Windows before the download?
In this article, I will show you the way to do it and you just choose the best option for you!
How Access iPhone Photos on PC
With CopyTrans Studio
CopyTrans Studio is a program that helps you to manage your iPhone photos. You can back up the whole Photo Library in a few clicks, or save selected photos. But what’s more interesting is that it gives you an opportunity to access iPhone photos on PC without downloading them. CopyTrans Studio is integrated in the Windows Explorer, so it will be like to open a folder on your computer.
- Download and install CopyTrans Studio.
- Open the program and choose your iPhone, then click on Photo Library.
- Now you are in the main window of the program and access to all your Photo Library. Here is what CopyTrans Studio offers you:
- Now, if you need to delete some photos, you can do it before downloading them to PC, so you save space on your computer and orgznise photos on your iPhone.
- One more option, you would like to use is a “Smart Album” function. Why to use it? Because it allows you to find photos automatically. Apply the filters you need and enjoy the magic: all the photos from you big Photo Library will be saved in one album in a minute. Find more information in our guide on how to create Smart Albums with CopyTrans Studio.
- With CopyTrans Studio you can also save your photos on your computer. Here some of the ways to do it:
Make a full back up in one click
Save only the latest photos
Transfer photos from iPhone to external hard drive?
Automatically Back Up iPhone Photos
You can use a wireless connection and forget about USB cable. Your iPhone will connect automatically th next time you open CopyTrans Studio.
(1) Photo library actions: automaticaly copy your iPhone photos and videos to PC.
(2) All photos and videos: access all the media files. It includes Camera roll and photos that are saved to iCloud.
(3) Sources: “Camera roll” is a copy of what you find in the iPhone photos app, from newest to latest photos. Photos and videos synched to iCloud are in the “iCloud” section. “Sync from computer” contains photos and albums that you’ve manually created or added from your Mac or PC.
(4) Categories: this section is created for your own convenience and is organized similar to the Photos app on iPhone. It displays Albums and Memories saved on your iPhone and allows you to access your photos by People, Date and Place.
With CopyTrans Studio, you can:
- Transfer photos and videos in one click
- Access your iPhone and iPad Photos as if they were stored on a flash drive
- Organize your photos with Smart Albums
- Say goodbye to HEIC photos and convert them to JPEG
- Connect iPhone via Wi-Fi
Via DCIM folder
When you think about how to access iPhone photos, the first thougt will be via DCIM (Digital Camera Images) folder. The DCIM folder serves as the gateway to your iPhone’s camera roll, containing all the photos and videos you’ve captured. By following these steps, you can easily access these files on your PC:
- Connect Your iPhone to Your PC using a USB cable. Check that both devices are securely connected and that your iPhone is unlocked to allow access.
- Open File Explorer on Your PC. You can do this by clicking on the folder icon in your taskbar or searching for “File Explorer” in the Windows search bar.
- In the File Explorer window, you should see your iPhone listed under “This PC” or as a separate device. Click on your iPhone to explore its contents.
- Within your iPhone’s directory, locate and open the DCIM folder. Now you have an access to all the media files of your device.
- You can also copy and paste the photos from DCIM folder to PC.
Though, this method is a native Apple method but it has its disadvantages:
- Complexity of the Process: navigating through multiple folders and subfolders to locate and then transfer photos be da big deal for any user
- Limited Flexibility: no way to find all photos in one place, so you have to find the ones you need in all these folders.
- Compatibility Issues: depending on the operating system of the PC and the version of iOS on the iPhone, you might face some problems when trying to access photos via the DCIM folder. This can lead to errors or difficulties in transferring photos successfully
So, this method is not the easiest way to access iPhone photos, as you will spend a lot of time structuring and finding them.
Via iCloud for Windows
If your photos are saved in iCloud (the iCloud Photos function is enabled), then you can access them on your PC with iCloud for Windows.
- Download and install iCloud for Windows application on your PC. You can download it directly from the Microsoft Store.
- Start iCloud for Windows and sign in with your Apple ID and password. Make sure to enable the Photos option during the setup process.
- In the iCloud for Windows, sync iCloud photos in the folder of your choice.
- Once the syncing process is complete, you can access your iPhone photos on your PC by opening File Explorer and navigating to the iCloud Photos folder.
- If needed, you can save photos on your PC.
Disadvantages of the methods:
- No structure preserved: only all photos in one folder, no albums are included.
- Slow Syncing Process: especially for users with a large number of photos. It can take a lot of time to access photos on PC.
- Compatibility Issues: when using iCloud for Windows on a PC running older operating systems or outdated software versions.
- Privacy and Security Concerns: Storing iPhone photos on a cloud service like iCloud raises privacy and security concerns for some users. There is always a risk of unauthorized access to personal photos stored on the cloud.
Accessing iPhone photos on a PC via iCloud for Windows offers a convenient and user-friendly solution for transferring and managing your photos seamlessly. But it’s not optimal either as it has it’s cons.
FAQ
How can I access my iPhone photos on my PC?
To access your iPhone photos on your PC, you can use DCIM folder, but this method has some disadvantages. It’s better to use CopyTrans Studio.
Can I use iCloud photos to access iPhone photos on PC?
To access iCloud Photos on your PC, you need to download and install iCloud for Windows. After logging in with your Apple ID, enable the Photos option. This will sync your iCloud photo library to your PC, allowing you to view and download photos from your iPhone easily.
Can I access photos from my iPhone without a USB cable?
Yes, with CopyTrans Studio, you can access iPhone photos via Wi-Fi, no more USB cables.