Whether you want to backup your iPhone files or you just simply want to view your images on Mac’s large screen, here you will learn how to transfer files from an iPhone over to a Mac using multiple ways.
Nov 23, 2018 Import photos from iPhone to Mac using the Photos app. One of the quickest methods is to plug the Lightning-to-USB cable you use to charge the iPhone into one of your Mac’s USB ports. When an iPhone is connected, the macOS Photos app automatically opens and suggests importing your photos. Here’s the import process, step by step.
iPhone Transfer Tips
- To turn on Wi-Fi syncing, see Sync content between your Mac and iPhone or iPad over Wi-Fi. In the Finder on your Mac, select the device in the Finder sidebar. Select Files in the button bar. A list of the apps on your device that support file sharing appears. Drag a file or selection of files from a Finder window onto an app name in the list.
- Nov 12, 2019 The Photos App. This is probably the easiest and quickest method to transfer photos. Here are the necessary steps: Step 1. Grab the USB cable and connect your Mac to your iPhone. The Photos app should automatically launch when you connect the two devices. If it doesn’t open the app via the Dock or Launchpad.
Transfer from iPhone
![Mac Mac](/uploads/1/2/6/4/126480517/697032353.jpg)
Transfer To iPhone
Airdrop Tips
An iPhone is a great piece of device that can both create as well as store dozens of file types. It can store your photos, videos, documents, and many other types of files for you. Sometimes, you may need to transfer some of your iPhone files over to your Mac. There could be various reasons why you may want to do it.
Maybe you are running out of space on your iPhone and you want to transfer a few of your large files to your Mac. Or maybe you need to edit a PDF file available on your iPhone using your Mac. Regardless, the question is how do you transfer your files?
Well, there are multiple ways to transfer files from an iPhone to a Mac. You can use built-in options, official apps, and third-party apps to get your job done. The following shows all of those methods to help you do the task.
How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with iTunes
You are likely familiar with the iTunes app especially if you use it to create backups of your iPhone. In addition to letting you backup your files, the app lets you transfer files from your iPhone to your Mac as well.
It needs utilizing the File Sharing option available in the app that lets you both copy files from iOS to Mac and Mac to iOS. The following is how you use it.
Step 1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on your Mac if you do not already have it.
Step 2. Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch the iTunes app. When the app launches, find and click on the icon for your iPhone.
Step 3. A menu will appear in the left sidebar of the app. Find the option that says File Sharing and click on it to open it.
Access File Sharing in iTunes
Step 4. On the right-hand side panel, you will see the apps that are compatible with the File Sharing feature. Once you see your files, drag the file from the iTunes window and drop it onto a Finder window on your Mac.
Your chosen file or files will be copied from your iPhone to your Mac. You will find the file in your chosen directory on your Mac.
How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with iCloud
If you have a high-speed Internet connection, you can use the iCloud service for transferring files from your iPhone to your Mac. It utilizes the iCloud Drive feature that lets you share files across your Apple devices.
Step 1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app, tap on your name at the top, and select iCloud.
Access iCloud settings on the iPhone
Step 2. On the screen that follows, turn both Photos and iCloud Drive toggles to the ON position. It will enable both of these features on your device.
Step 3. On your Mac, click on the Apple logo at the top-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences. Then, find and click on the iCloud option.
Step 4. Ensure the iCloud Drive and Photos options are check-marked.
Enable iCloud Drive on the Mac
You will see a new folder named iCloud Drive in your Finder. Any files that you put in iCloud Drive on your iPhone will be available in this folder on your Mac.
How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with AirDrop
AirDrop is the easiest way to transfer files from an iPhone to a Mac as all it requires you to do is connect both your devices to the same wireless network. As long as you meet this minimum requirement, you are good to transfer your files.
Step 1. Open a Finder window on your Mac, click on AirDrop in the left sidebar, and click on Turn On Bluetooth in the right-hand side pane.
Step 2. On your iPhone, select the files you want to transfer and tap on the share icon. Then, tap on AirDrop and select your Mac on the list.
Use AirDrop to transfer files on the iPhone
It will transfer your selected files from your iPhone to your Mac. These files will be available in the Downloads folder on your Mac.
How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with Cloud
iCloud is not the only cloud service you have available for iPhone to transfer your files. You can use various other cloud services as well such as Google Drive and Dropbox. Here we show you how to use Google Drive to share files from your iPhone to your Mac.
Step 1. Download, install and launch the Google Drive app on your iPhone. Sign in to your Google account.
Step 2. Upload the files that you want to transfer to your Mac in the app on your iPhone.
Step 3. Install the Google Drive app on your Mac. It will add a new folder called Google Drive to the Finder. Open this folder and you will be able to access your iPhone files on your Mac.
Access the iPhone files on the Mac via Google Drive
Apple Transfer Iphone To Iphone
You can also use Dropbox in a similar way to transfer your files.
How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with AnyTrans
The methods described above should work just fine if you have plenty of time available. However, if you are short on time and you would like something easy and fast, you are better off using a third-party app to transfer your files.
AnyTrans for iOS is an excellent choice when it comes to transferring files from iOS-based devices to your computer. It lets you quickly select and send files from your iPhone to any of your computers.
The following shows how to use the app on your Mac.
Step 1. Download AnyTrans for iOS and install it on your machine.
Step 2. Connect your iPhone to your Mac and launch the app. Click on More in the app to view more options available for you.
Step 3. Click on the File System option followed by the System in the left sidebar. It will let you view your iPhone files.
View iPhone files in AnyTrans for iOS
Step 4. Select the files you want to transfer to your Mac from the right-hand side pane. Then, click on the option that says To Computer at the top.
Step 5. You will see the following when your files are transferred.
Files successfully transferred from your iPhone to your Mac
AnyTrans for iOS really makes transferring files between iOS and other devices easier than any other method for you.
The Bottom Line
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to transfer files from your iPhone to a Mac, you have several options available to do the task as described in the above guide.
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I found a very interesting app when surfing the Internet, and downloaded it to my MacBook. Now I want to install it on my iPhone. I wonder if there is any way possible to do that. I will appreciate any helpful suggestion, thanks.
Many people would like to install some interesting apps on their iPhone, and they can find many related apps in the App Store. Maybe some iPhone users will use their Mac computer to download the apps to iTunes library at first, and then sync the apps to their iPhone. This should all easy to be done, but if the iPhone users find an IPA file on the Internet, and want to sync this IPA file to their iPhone, what should they do? The post may give you an answer about how to transfer apps to iPhone on Mac.
Part 1. Sync Apps to iPhone on Mac with iTunes
It is very lucky to find an iPhone app you like on the Internet, and it is also easy for you to find it in App Store. App Store provides millions of apps for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. If the users want to locate a certain app, they can use the search function of App Store. Then they are able to find the app they need. Then they are able to download the app and sync it to their iPhone with iTunes.
The tutorial will show you how to import apps to iTunes library and then sync apps to iPhone on Mac:
- Start iTunes and go to “iTunes > Preferences > Devices”, and check “Prevent iPods, iPhones and iPads from syncing automatically”.
- Plug iPhone into computer via the USB cable, and iTunes will launch automatically. If not, you need to manually start it.
- iTunes will recognize your iPhone and display the iPhone icon at the upper right corner. Click the iPhone icon, and choose “Apps” in the summary panel.
- Click “Files > Add Files to Library” to add the apps to your iTunes library. Then drag and drop the apps into the right part of the window.
- iTunes will sync the apps to your iPhone. When the sync is done, you will get the apps in your iPhone.
After the syncing process, the apps will be installed on your iPhone, and you are able to enjoy them now. In certain circumstances, the apps won’t be installed as the data of the apps are not complete or the installation is interrupted. Note that during the syncing process, iTunes will erase the non-purchased items.
Transfer Music From Iphone To Mac Computer
Part 2. Transfer Apps to iPhone on Mac without iTunes
If you want to get rid of the sync of iTunes, you can take advantage of the third-party iPhone transfer for Mac. Among all the data transfer programs for iOS devices, Leawo iTransfer for Mac can be regarded as one of the best. The software enables users to transfer files among iOS devices, iTunes and computers without the sync of iTunes, and it helps to transfer various kinds of files, including apps, music, movies, TV shows, ringtones, ebooks, photos and Camera Roll with ease. The following guidance will show you how to transfer apps to iPhone on Mac without iTunes, and you are allowed to free download the software to have a try. Note that the trial version has limited transfer times.
Iphone To Mac Photo Transfer App
Tips: Leawo iTransfer only works with iTunes installed on your Mac.
1. Run Leawo iTransfer and connect iPhone to computer with the USB cable. The software will automatically detect the libraries of your iPhone, and then show the libraries in the left sidebar.
Iphone To Mac Transfer Software
2. Choose “Apps” library in the left sidebar, and then the contents will be shown in the right part of the window.
3. Click “File > Add > Add File/Add Folder” at the upper right corner to add the IPA files from your computer.Leawo iTransfer will start transferring apps to iPhone immediately. The progress bar in the pop-up dialog will show you the percentage of the transfer process. When the app transfer is done, you will get the apps in your iPhone.
Transfer Iphone Apps To Mac
Note that if the IPA files are not complete, they will not be transferred to your iPhone. With Leawo iTransfer, users are able to transfer files between iOS devices, for example, users can transfer ebooks from iPad to iPhone with the help of this software. If you are interested in this software, just free download it and have a try.