How to transfer photos from iPhone to Mac
4 ways, step by step · Updated September 2026
The quickest way to move a few photos from an iPhone to a nearby Mac is AirDrop. To keep your whole library on both devices, use iCloud Photos. For a big one-time import, connect a USB cable and use the Photos app. When AirDrop can't find your Mac, or you're not near it, Maccess Send to Mac sends photos and videos straight to the Mac over Wi-Fi or from anywhere.
Which method should you use?
• A few photos, Mac nearby: AirDrop.
• Every photo, always in sync: iCloud Photos.
• A large import without using iCloud storage: USB cable and the Photos app.
• AirDrop failing, or you're away from the Mac: Maccess Send to Mac.
1. AirDrop: fastest for a few photos
1. Keep your iPhone near the Mac and turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both. If Personal Hotspot is on, turn it off.
2. Open the Photos app on your iPhone, tap Select, then tap the photos you want to send.
3. Tap the Share button, then tap AirDrop.
4. Choose your Mac. The photos arrive in the Mac's Downloads folder.
2. iCloud Photos: keep every photo in sync
1. On your iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, select iCloud, tap Photos, and turn on Sync this device.
2. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, click your name, then click iCloud. Under Saved to iCloud, click Photos and turn it on.
3. Choose Download Originals to this Mac if you want full-size copies on the Mac instead of space-saving versions.
Photos you keep in iCloud Photos use your iCloud storage, so check that you have enough space first.
3. USB cable and the Photos app: large imports
1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable. If you see a prompt to allow the accessory to connect, click Allow.
2. Open the Photos app on the Mac. If the Import screen doesn't appear, click your iPhone's name in the Photos sidebar.
3. If asked, unlock your iPhone and tap Trust.
4. Next to Album, choose where the photos should go.
5. Select the photos you want and click Import Selected, or click Import All New Items.
To import straight into a folder instead of the Photos library, use the Image Capture app on the Mac.
4. Maccess Send to Mac: when AirDrop fails, or from anywhere
1. Install free Maccess Helper on the Mac and pair it with the Maccess iPhone app using the QR code (setup steps).
2. Open your Mac in Maccess and choose Send to Mac.
3. Pick up to 50 photos and videos at a time, or any other files.
4. They land in the Mac's Downloads folder, and Finder shows them when they arrive.
Send to Mac works on the same Wi-Fi, or from anywhere with Online Access. It is part of Maccess Pro.
Why doesn't my Mac show up in AirDrop?
Keep the iPhone and Mac close together, turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both, and turn off Personal Hotspot on the iPhone. The Mac also needs to be awake and set to receive AirDrop from you. If it still does not appear, use iCloud Photos, a USB cable, or Maccess Send to Mac instead.
Can I transfer photos from iPhone to Mac without a cable?
Yes. AirDrop sends photos to a nearby Mac, iCloud Photos syncs your whole library over the internet, and Maccess Send to Mac sends photos and videos to the Mac's Downloads folder over Wi-Fi or from anywhere.
Can I send photos to my Mac when I'm not at home?
Yes. iCloud Photos syncs your library whenever both devices are online. To drop specific photos or files straight into your Mac's Downloads folder from anywhere, use Maccess Send to Mac with Online Access, part of Maccess Pro. The Mac needs to be awake and running Maccess Helper.
More ways to use your iPhone with your Mac
Maccess also turns your iPhone into a free trackpad and keyboard for your Mac and lets you see and control the Mac's screen. Browse every guide on the guides page.