What to Know

• iCloud synching is the most direct solution.EnableiCloud Photoson iPhone, then sync your MacBook'sPhotosapp.
  
• AirDrop is the next best.Just tapSharein your phone'sPhotosapp and select your MacBook for the transfer.
  
• You can also transfer photos directly via aLightning Cableand thePhotosapp on your MacBook.

This article explains how to transfer photos from your iPhone to your MacBook Air.

What Is the Easiest Way to Transfer PhotosFromiPhone to MacBook Air?

The simplest way to transfer photos from your iPhone to your MackBook is to make it automatic.You can do this by setting up synching with iCloud, which will allow you to access your phone's entire photo library from your laptop.And once it's set up, the shared library will update itself with every new photo.

iCloud synching has its limitations.You have a maximum of 5GB of cloud storage to start, and will have to pay for a larger plan if you want to manage a larger amount of data. In order for syncing to work, you need to connect your iPhone to your MacBook.

1. Open your iPhone'sSettingsmenu, then scroll down and tap onGeneral.

2. From General, tap oniPhone Storage.

   

3. Find theiCloud Photosmenu option and tap Enable, then tapEnable iCloud Photosto confirm.

4. Or you can go intoSettings > Photos, then toggleiCloud Photoson.

   

5. On your MackBook, open thePhotosapp. If you haven't used it before it will ask you if you want to enable iCloud, and all you have to to is allow it.

6. If your Photos app doesn't give you the option on startup,orotherwise has it disabled, clickPhotosin the menu bar at the top of the screen and then clickPreferences.

   

7. Click theiCloudtab, then click the check box next toiCloud Photosto enable synching.

   

8. Depending on the size of your photo library it may take some time for everything to fully sync up between your devices, but you're done! Now any photos you take with your iPhone will appear in your Photos app library on your MacBook automatically.

How Do I Import Photos to My MacBook Air?

The second easiest way to transfer photos between your iPhone and MacBook is via AirDrop. This allows you to select specific pictures or videos and transfer them over individually or in batches, giving you more control over what goes where.

For AirDrop to work, you'll need to make sure both your MacBook and iPhone have Wi-Fi enabled, otherwise they won't be able to find each other.

1. Open your iPhone'sPhotosapp, then open the photo album you want to transfer photos over from.

2. You can tap a single photo and begin the transfer from there, or if you want to transfer multiple images tapSelectat the top of the screen and then tap all the photos you want to copy. Alternatively, if you want to select several images adjacent to one another, you can also tap and drag your finger over them all.

   

3. Tap theShareicon in the lower-left corner of the screen (it looks like a box with an arrow pointing upwards out of it).

4. From theSharemenu tapAirDrop, then select the device you want to transfer the photos to. Depending on your AirDrop settings you might have to clickAccepton your MacBook in order for the transfer to go through.

   

5. Once the process is finished, the transferred photos should appear in your MacBook'sDownloadsfolder.

How Else Can I Import Photos to My MacBook Air?

Another direct (if slightly slower than AirDrop) option for transferring photos between your devices is to physically connect your iPhone to your MacBook using your phone's charging cable.

Depending on the model of your iPhone and MacBook, your Lightning Cable may not be able to connect, in which case you'll need an adaptor.

1. Plug the Lightning cable into your iPhone as though you were going to charge it, but remove the power adapter from the other end and plug the other part of the cable into your MacBook. You may need to unlock your iPhone for a full-access connection.

   

2. Open thePhotosapp on your MacBook and clickiPhoneunder theDevicessection of the sidebar.

   

3. Click the photos you want to select for copying, or click and drag to select multiple photos at once, then clickImport Selectedto begin the transfer. Or if you want to transfer everything, click ImportAll New Items.

   

4. The imported photos will now appear under both theImportscategory and yourLibrary.

   

Why Can't I Transfer Photos From iPhone to MacBook?

There are a few reasons you may have trouble with photo transfers.

1. If you're using AirDrop, make sure settings for both your iPhone and MacBook are set to eitherContacts Only or Everyone. If Contacts Only isn't working, Everyone should. If it still refuses to work try toggling between both options once or twice or restarting both devices.

   

2. If you've connected your iPhone to your MacBook with a Lightning Cable and they aren't recognizing each other, try disconnected and then reconnecting the cable. If that doesn't work, try restarting one or both devices.

3. If iCloud synching isn't working, you might have the option turned off for one or both devices. Go back into their respective menus to double-check. If iCloud is enabled but still not working, go into yourApple ID/Apple Accountsettings on either device and make sure they're connected.

• How do I transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone?

  To move all of your photos to a new iPhone, back up your original device, and then set up the new one from that backup, which will include all photos, text messages, contacts, and apps. To move just a few at a time, try AirDrop, email, or a cloud-based storage service like Google Photos or Dropbox.

• How do I transfer photos from Android to iPhone?

  The Move to iOS app will help you migrate all of your photos and other data from your Android device to a new iPhone. Otherwise, you can send images using online options or a data cable.