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User profile for user: Katsube
Katsube Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

How do I *move* photos from iPhone to Windows? (Observe, move, not regular import)

Hi, I need help to move my photos from my iPhone to my Windows computer. I don't want them to stay on my iPhone, I want to move them.


I have taken over 22,000 photos over the years, and going through them one by one is just not an option. I also don't want to pay for iCloud anymore, that's why I want them to disappear from my phone when I move them. Using the option to import doesn't remove the photos from my phone.


I tried to open the iPhone storage on my Windows computer as a folder, and managed to move around 4000 photos that way just using Ctrl + x (cut) and Ctrl + v (paste) on each subfolder separately (couldn't do all of them at once, too many files, Explorer (equivalent to Mac Finder) froze), but those are all the photos that show in that folder. I don't know where or how the others are stored, they don't show up in that folder.


iPhone 13 mini

Posted on Jan 21, 2025 7:36 AM

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User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
425,268 points

Jan 21, 2025 9:14 PM in response to Katsube

Microsoft support says --> Import photos and videos from an iPhone to PC



On a Windows PC, when you import photos and videos from your iPhone using the built-in Photos app or File Explorer, there is no automatic "Delete After Import" option like on a Mac. After importing, you'll need to manually delete the photos and videos from your iPhone if you want to free up storage.


If your Photos app does not recognize the file formats (HEIC or HEVC), ensure you’ve installed the necessary extensions HEIF Image Extensions, HEVC Video Extensions, and Raw Image Extension from the Microsoft Store.


When you import HEIF or HEVC media from an attached iPhone or iPad into Photos, Image Capture or a PC, the media may be converted to JPEG or H.264. If you don’t want it to be converted, go to Settings > Apps > Photos on your device, then scroll down and tap Keep Originals. Using HEIF or HEVC media on Apple devices - Apple Support (IN)


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How do I *move* photos from iPhone to Windows? (Observe, move, not regular import)

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