How to Transfer Videos From iPhone to PC on Windows 10

iPhone videos eat up storage fast, especially in 4K, so moving them to a Windows 10 PC is a common chore. You can transfer them with a USB cable using the Photos app or File Explorer, wirelessly with iCloud, or through a cloud service. This guide covers each method, plus how to deal with large files and videos that won’t play on Windows.

Quick Answer

Connect your iPhone to the PC with a USB cable, unlock it, and tap Trust. Open the Photos app on the PC, click Import > From a connected device, select the videos, and click Import. Or open File Explorer > This PC > [your iPhone] > Internal Storage > DCIM and copy the video files to a folder on your PC.

Before You Start

• Use a working Lightning or USB-C cable (some cheap cables only charge).
• Unlock the iPhone and tap Trust This Computer when prompted, then enter your passcode.
• If videos are stored only in iCloud (Optimize iPhone Storage is on), download them to the iPhone first or use the iCloud method.

Method 1: Photos App (USB)

1. Connect and unlock your iPhone.
2. Open the Photos app on your PC (search for it in Start).
3. Click Import (top right), then From a connected device (or choose your iPhone).
4. Select the videos you want, choose a destination folder, and click Import.

If the Import option is missing in newer versions of the Photos app, use File Explorer or the Microsoft Photos Legacy app.

Method 2: File Explorer (USB)

1. Connect and unlock the iPhone.
2. Open File Explorer (Windows + E) and click This PC.
3. Double-click your iPhone, then Internal Storage > DCIM.
4. Open the folders (named by date, like 202609__, or like 100APPLE on older iPhones). Videos are .MOV files.
5. Select the videos and drag them to a folder on your PC, or copy and paste.

Copy large videos in smaller batches; very large transfers sometimes stall.

Method 3: iCloud for Windows (Wireless)

1. On your iPhone, turn on Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos > Sync this iPhone.
2. Install iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store and sign in with your Apple Account.
3. Turn on Photos in iCloud for Windows.
4. Videos appear in iCloud Photos in File Explorer. Right-click and choose Always keep on this device to download them.

This requires enough iCloud storage. You can also download videos from icloud.com/photos in a browser.

Method 4: Cloud Apps or Sharing

• Upload with OneDrive, Google Photos, or Dropbox on the iPhone, then download on the PC.
• For one or two short videos, share them by email or messaging, but expect compression and size limits.

Videos Won’t Play or Won’t Copy?

• HEVC videos won’t play: iPhones record in HEVC by default. Install the HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store (may cost a small fee), or play them in the free VLC player.
• Convert on transfer: On the iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Photos (or Settings > Photos) and under Transfer to Mac or PC, choose Automatic to convert to more compatible formats during USB transfer.
• “The device is unreachable” error: Choose Keep Originals in that same setting, copy fewer files at once, and try another USB port.
• iPhone not showing up: Install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store (it adds the drivers), unlock the phone, and reconnect.

4K clips are several times larger than 1080p. If you want smaller files, check your iPhone 4K recording settings before you shoot.

You can move your address book too; see how to transfer contacts from iPhone to a computer.

See what’s taking up space first by checking iPhone storage.

For photos and other data, read how to transfer data from iPhone to a laptop.

If you’d rather send a clip to a TV show, see how to submit a video to AFV on iPhone.

Summary

1. Connect with USB, unlock, and tap Trust.
2. Import with the Photos app or copy from DCIM in File Explorer.
3. Use iCloud for Windows for wireless transfers.
4. Install HEVC support or use VLC if videos won’t play.