# How to Transfer Large Files from an iPhone to a Windows PC AirDrop does not work with Windows, so moving a long video or a big folder from an iPhone to a PC takes a different route. Here are the three that work, and how to keep your files in original quality. _Source: https://sharelargefilesfree.com/transfer-large-files-from-iphone-to-pc ยท Updated 2026-10-01_ **Quick answer:** To move large files from an iPhone to a Windows PC, use a USB cable and the Windows Photos app for photos and videos, iCloud if you already sync with it, or a download link for any file type. Share Large Files Free makes that link from Safari with no app or account, up to 20 GB per transfer. ## Why iPhone to PC is harder than it should be Between Apple devices, AirDrop makes sending a file almost effortless. Windows does not support AirDrop, though, so iPhone owners with a Windows PC need another way. Email is too small for most videos, and messaging yourself through a chat app may compress the file. There is a second issue too: iPhones save photos as HEIC and video as HEVC by default on recent models. Windows can open these with the right codecs, but some editing apps and older PCs cannot. It helps to decide up front whether you want the original files or more compatible copies. ## Three ways compared | Method | Best for | File types | Size | Needs | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | USB cable and Windows Photos | Importing a camera roll | Photos and videos | Limited only by disk space | A cable and a trusted connection | | iCloud for Windows | Ongoing sync if you already use iCloud | Photos, iCloud Drive files | Limited by your iCloud storage | An Apple Account and the iCloud app | | Download link (Share Large Files Free) | Any file, quickly, without setup | Any type, including Files app documents | Up to 20 GB per transfer | Only a browser on each device | Apple and Microsoft update these apps regularly, so menu names may differ slightly on your devices. Check Apple Support for current details on iCloud storage plans. ## Method 1: a USB cable and the Windows Photos app 1. Connect the iPhone to the PC with a USB cable and unlock the phone. 2. If the iPhone asks whether to trust this computer, tap _Trust_ and enter your passcode. 3. Open the _Photos_ app on Windows and choose _Import_, then pick your iPhone. 4. Select the photos and videos you want and start the import. This route is free and has no size limit beyond your disk space, which makes it the best choice for a whole camera roll. It only covers the photo library, though: documents, ZIP files and other items in the Files app are not included. If imports stall, try a different cable or USB port and keep the iPhone unlocked. ## Method 2: iCloud for Windows If you already back up your photos to iCloud, install iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store, sign in with your Apple Account, and switch on iCloud Photos or iCloud Drive. Your files then download to the PC in the background. The catch is storage. The free iCloud tier is small, so large videos usually need a paid iCloud+ plan, and syncing a big library can take a long time on the first run. It is a good long-term setup, but a slow way to move one file today. ## Method 3: a download link from Safari A link works for any file type, needs no cable and no setup, and is the quickest way to move a few large files, including documents and ZIP archives saved in the Files app. 1. **On the iPhone, open [Share Large Files Free](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/) in Safari** and tap the upload area. 2. **Choose the files** from Photo Library or Browse (the Files app). You can add up to 1000 files, up to 20 GB in total. 3. **Get a link** and keep Safari open until the upload finishes. 4. **Open it on the PC.** Email the link to yourself, or type the short [download code](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/download-code-receive-files) from the finished screen into the receive page on the PC. 5. **Download** the files in any browser on Windows. Several files can be downloaded together as one ZIP. The transfer expires after 1 day, or set it to delete after its first download, so nothing stays online once the files are on your PC. ## Keep originals, or make them compatible - **Original quality:** iOS may convert or compress items picked straight from Photo Library. To be sure, save them to the Files app first (Share, then _Save to Files_) and choose them through Browse, which sends them untouched. - **USB import format:** on the iPhone, _Settings > Photos_ has a _Transfer to Mac or PC_ option. _Automatic_ converts to compatible formats on import, while _Keep Originals_ copies HEIC and HEVC files as they are. - **Future recordings:** _Settings > Camera > Formats > Most Compatible_ records JPEG and H.264, which open almost everywhere, at the cost of larger files. - **Converting afterwards:** the free [HEIC to JPG](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/heic-to-jpg) and [MOV to MP4](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/mov-to-mp4) tools work in your browser on the PC. ## Which should you use? For a full camera roll, use the cable. If you already pay for iCloud storage and want everything to sync, use iCloud for Windows. For a handful of large videos, a project folder or any non-photo file, a download link is usually fastest because there is nothing to install and no cable to find. Sending the video to someone else rather than to your own PC? See [how to send a long video from iPhone](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/send-video-from-iphone). On a Mac instead? Read [sending large files from a Mac](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/send-large-files-from-mac). _Share Large Files Free is independent and is not affiliated with Apple or Microsoft. iPhone, iCloud and AirDrop are trademarks of Apple Inc.; Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation._ ## Troubleshooting common problems - **The iPhone does not appear in Windows Photos.** Unlock the phone, tap _Trust_ if asked, and try another cable or port. Some charging-only cables do not carry data. Restarting both devices often helps. - **The import stops partway.** Very large libraries can time out. Import in smaller batches, for example one month at a time, and keep the phone awake. - **Videos play without picture on the PC.** The file is likely HEVC. Install the codec Windows suggests, play it in a player that supports HEVC, or convert a copy to MP4. - **The upload in Safari stops.** Keep Safari in front and the screen on, since iOS may pause background tabs. Uploads are sent in chunks and retried after short drops, and you can [resume an unfinished upload](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/resume-interrupted-upload) in the same browser. - **The file is bigger than 20 GB.** Split it across two transfers, or use the cable for that one file. Not sure how long a large upload will take on your connection? The [upload time calculator](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/upload-time-calculator) gives a quick estimate. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I AirDrop from an iPhone to a Windows PC? No. AirDrop works between Apple devices. Use a USB cable, iCloud for Windows, or a download link instead. ### How do I move a video too big for email to my PC? Upload it in Safari at Share Large Files Free, up to 20 GB per transfer, and open the link or download code on your PC to download the original file. ### Why will my iPhone photos not open on Windows? They are probably HEIC files. Install the codec Windows suggests, set Transfer to Mac or PC to Automatic for imports, or convert them with the free HEIC to JPG tool. ### Does the link method reduce quality? No. Files are delivered exactly as uploaded. Save them to the Files app and pick them from there, so iOS does not convert them before upload.