How to Transfer Photos from PC to iPhone With/Without iTunes

Applies To: iPhone, iPad or iPod running iOS 8 and later (iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max is supported)

Photos are the files that are transferred most frequently between an iPhone and a computer, be it a Mac or a PC. Therefore, it's necessary to know how to transfer photos from PC to iPhone or vice versa in all possible ways. Given that, here we provide four proven ways to copy photos from computer to iPhone. Whether you want to transfer photos from PC to iPhone with or without iTunes, you will find the way to do it. Besides, you can also apply the very same way to transfer photos from iPhone to computer if you need to.

How to Transfer Photos from PC to iPhone in 4 Ways

We all know that you can sync photos from PC to iPhone with iTunes. But there are some disadvantages of using iTunes that cannot be ignored, like data syncing. That's why so many users are asking "How can I transfer photos from PC to iPhone without iTunes?" For you to copy photos from PC to iPhone safely without data loss, I'd like to show you how to transfer pictures from computer to iPhone without iTunes first.

How to Transfer Photos from PC to iPhone Without iTunes

In addition to iTunes, there are other ways available for you to import photos from PC to iPhone, iPad, or iPod, including using iPhone data transfer software, iCloud, or other cloud storage services.

Method 1. Copy Photos from PC to iPhone with EaseUS MobiMover

Compatible with: PC running Windows 7 or later, Mac running OS X 10.7 and later

EaseUS MobiMover is a reliable iOS data transfer software tool that has helped many iPhone/iPad/iPod users to transfer data between two iOS devices or between an iOS device and a computer.

If you want to copy photos to your iPhone without data loss, you are recommended to use this versatile software for iOS data transfer and file management instead of iTunes. With MobiMover, you can transfer photos from PC to your iPhone without syncing, which will keep the existing files on your iPhone safe.

To import photos (and videos) from computer to iPhone:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your PC running Windows 7 or later. Launch EaseUS MobiMover and select "PC to Phone" on the main interface. Then, choose "Select Files" to continue. 

Step 2. With MobiMover, you can choose to transfer photos from PC to your iPhone as well as many other data types. Then, click the "Open" button to load the files. 

Step 3. MobiMover will show the files you've selected on the screen. If you've missed an item, you can click "Add Contents" to import more files. Next, click the "Transfer" button to start the transfer process. 

Afterward, you can check the photos on your iPhone in the Photos app.

This tool supports the transfer of various file types on your iOS device, including photos, videos (TV shows, movies, or more), audio files (music, ringtones, audiobooks...), contacts, messages, and more. Other than the data transfer feature, you can also use the file management features to access your iPhone or iPad content from the computer, delete files on your iPhone or iPad on PC in bulk, or add new items to your device from the computer. Another attractive feature of the tool is video download, with which you can download videos from YouTube, Vimeo, or other sites to your computer or iOS device.

Download and install EaseUS MobiMover to transfer photos from Mac or PC to your iPhone or iPad within seconds.

Method 2. Transfer Photos from Computer to iPhone Using iCloud

If you prefer to transfer photos from computer to iPhone wirelessly, using iCloud is a good choice. You can use iCloud to sync photos to your device in two ways.

If you have installed iCloud for Windows on your computer, you can move photos from PC to your iPhone by turning on iCloud Photo Library. With this option on, you can upload photos from your PC to iCloud and the photos in iCloud will be synced to your iPhone when connected to WiFi.

Here are the detailed steps:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > [your name] > "iCloud" on your iPhone.

Step 2. Scroll down to choose "Photos" and toggle on "iCloud Photo Library".

Step 3. Open iCloud for Windows on your computer.

Step 4. Click "Options" next to Photos and enable "iCloud Photo Library".

Step 5. Make sure "Upload new photos and videos from my PC" is turned on. Tap on "Change" under this option to choose the folder that has the photos you want to transfer from PC to your iPhone.

If you don't have iCloud installed on your computer, you can upload the pictures on your PC to iCloud via iCloud.com. Similarly, by enabling iCloud Photo Library on your iPhone, these images will be synced to your device when connected to WiFi.

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > [your name] > "iCloud" > "Photos" and switch on "iCloud Photo Library".

Step 2. Visit iCloud.com from your computer and enter your Apple ID and password.

Step 3. Choose "Photos" and click the "Upload photos" button in the top-right corner of the screen.

Step 4. Select the pictures you want to copy to your iPhone from your PC and click "Open".

Step 5. Wait for the photos to be uploaded to iCloud.

iCloud has the advantage of allowing you to transfer photos from computer to iPhone wirelessly. But you need to know that iCloud provides limited free space (5GB). The free iCloud storage may not be enough for you. In that case, you need to pay for the extra storage monthly.

Method 3. Sync Photos from Computer to iPhone via Cloud Storage Services

In addition to iTunes, there are other cloud storage services that enable you to sync photos from computer to your iOS device automatically, like Google Photos, Dropbox, and OneDrive.

To add photos from computer to iPhone or iPad via Google Photos:

Step 1. Go to visit https://photos.google.com/ and log in with your account.

Step 2. For your convenience, you can create a new album to store the images you'd like to copy. Click "Create" > "Album"  and add a title to the album. (You can also select "Upload" > "Computer" to upload photos directly.)

Step 3. Afterward, click "Add photos" > "Select from computer" to add new photos to Google Photos from the folders on the computer. 

Step 4. On your iPhone or iPad, go to the App Store and download Google Photos.

Step 5. Sign in with the account you use on Google Photos on your computer.

Step 6. Select and download the photos to your iPhone or iPad.

Similar to iCloud, other cloud storage services also have limited space. If you have GBs of images to transfer, syncing photos may take a long time.

All the three ways above will help you transfer photos from PC to iPhone without iTunes. The first one requires you connect your iPhone to computer while the last two ways require WiFi connection and no USB cable. Choose the one you prefer to apply.

How to Transfer Photos from PC to iPhone with iTunes

Transferring photos from computer to iPhone using iTunes is considered as the default way to copy photos to an iOS device from computer. The biggest reason why so many users don't like to use iTunes to import photos and videos or other files is that syncing files to an iOS device will cause the loss of the existing files like Photos, TV Shows, Music, Ringtones, iBooks, etc.. 

If you know the fact and accept it, follow the steps below to transfer photos from PC to iPhone with iTunes:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. Run iTunes if it doesn't open automatically.

Step 2. Click the "Device" tab and select "Photos".

Step 3. Check "Sync Photos" and select the photos you want to transfer from the option "Copy photos from".

Step 4.  Click "Apply" to start syncing photos to your iPhone or iPad from computer.

Now you know how to copy photos from PC to iPhone with iTunes. One more thing you should know is that this method won't work if iCloud Photos is enabled on your iPhone. Thus, to transfer photos from PC to iPhone using iTunes, you should turn off iCloud Photos on your iOS device.

The Bottom Line

The ways to transfer photos from computer to iPhone (or iPad) include using iPhone data transfer software, iCloud, Google Photos (Dropbox, OneDrive), or iTunes. For your information, here is a brief conclusion:

• EaseUS MobiMover: Direct way to put photos to iPhone without data loss.
• iCloud/Google Photos: Syncing photos from computer to iOS devices via WiFi.
• iTunes: Direct way to sync photos from computer to iPhone or iPad and may cause data loss.

Whether you want to transfer photos from Windows 10 to iPhone or import photos from computer to iPhone 11, iPhone XS, or earlier iPhones, you can apply one of the methods above to get things done. Just carry out the one best suited to your needs.

If you are a Mac user, you can also use one of the tips above to transfer photos from Mac to iPhone or iPad. What's more, there is an extra way for Mac users, which is to use AirDrop.

I hope the tips above are useful to you.