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How to transfer photos from Mac to iPhone - 6 Quick ways
Transferring photos from Mac to iPhone is easy when you follow the steps in this guide, whether you choose to use a cable, cloud services, or third-party transfer tools.
Explore quick and easy ways for Mac-to-iPhone photo transfer, either with a cable or wirelessly.
Transferring photos from Mac to iPhone is a quick and simple way to access your favorite pictures on the go. Whether you want to transfer an entire picture folder or only essential images, there are quite a few ways to import photos from your Mac to iPhone Photos Library directly.
From a USB cable connection to using cloud-based services, this guide covers several different methods on how to transfer photos from Mac to iPhone, ensuring you can enjoy your precious memories wherever you are.
Whether you're transferring bulk photos or individual images, iPhone Data Transfer simplifies the process of moving photos between a Mac and iPhone without any quality loss.
Transfer photos from Mac to iPhone: with or without cable
Typically, there are two common ways to transfer photos from a Mac to an iPhone — using a USB cable or wireless cloud services.
A wired connection between Mac and iPhone makes photo transfer as easy as copy-n-paste. Tools like iTunes, Finder, and some 3rd-party tools enable cable-based transfers of Mac photos to iPhone.
Cloud-based services, such as iCloud and Google Photos, allow for wireless syncing, keeping your Mac photos updated on your iPhone. This ensures you have real-time access to your Mac photos from your iPhone over the network.
With these wired and wireless options, you can easily move your pictures from Mac to iPhone and enjoy them anytime you want.
How to transfer photos from Mac to iPhone using a cable
While Apple's iCloud syncs Mac photos with iPhone simultaneously, it doesn't allow you to add specific pictures. For those who don't have enough iCloud storage or want to transfer their photos from Mac to iPhone selectively without iCloud, these cable-based methods can be helpful.
Import photos from Mac to iPhone with iTunes/Finder
To import photos from your Mac to iPhone, iTunes or Finder is a convenient way. By using a USB cable, you're allowed to transfer Mac photos to your iPhone directly, whether it's your entire photo library or a specific folder of pictures.
Note:
Syncing photos from Mac to iPhone via iTunes/Finder will overwrite the existing Photos Library on iPhone. To avoid data loss, ensure you have a separate backup of your current pictures. Get help if your photos disappeared from iPhone.
Here's how to transfer photos from Mac to iPhone using a cable via iTunes/Finder:
1. Run Finder or iTunes on your Mac and connect your iPhone with a proper data cable.
TIP: For macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, use Finder. For macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier, run the latest version of iTunes.
2. Select your iPhone from the left sidebar when it appears under Locations. If it's the first time you're adding photos to iPhone, unlock your device and tap Trust on the screen to allow access.
3. Click Photos from the top toolbar. The photo syncing option won't show up here if the iCloud Photos is enabled on your iPhone.
4. Tick the checkbox next to Sync photos to your device from option.
5. Click the drop-down box and choose Photos, Pictures, or a local folder on your Mac.
6. Select the album(s) or folder(s) that contains the pictures you wish to move to your iPhone.
When choosing Photos, you can sync All photos and albums or Select albums to import the entire photo library or specific albums from Mac's Photos app.
When syncing from a local folder, you may choose All folders or Selected folders to transfer all or a selection of your pictures on Mac.
7. Hit the Apply button at the bottom to start transferring photos to iPhone.
Sync all photos or just selected folders on your Mac to iPhone, including the videos or not.
Once done, the selected photos will be transferred to your iPhone and replace all content in Photos Library. To prevent data loss, try the following method to move photos from Mac to iPhone without iTunes in a simpler way.
Add photos from Mac to iPhone via iPhone Data Transfer
Whether you're looking to transfer a large photo library, specific pictures, or multiple folders, the all-in-one tool — iPhone Data Transfer offers an easy and quick solution to move photos from Mac to iPhone/iPad with just a few clicks.
This iPhone photo transfer tool is user-friendly, enabling you to effortlessly add photos from your Mac to your iPhone Photos Library without losing quality. It supports various formats like JPEG, HEIC, PNG, and more, and automatically detects incompatible images, converting them to iOS-friendly formats for seamless viewing and sharing.
Compatible with all iOS versions and devices, here are the steps to transfer photos from Mac to iPhone without using iTunes or iCloud:
Step 1: Launch iPhone Data Transfer on Mac and connect your iPhone.
Run this software on your Mac, MacBook or iMac, and link your iPhone using a USB or Lightning cable. If asked, enter your passcode and let your iPhone trust this computer.
Step 2: Click Photos from the left menu.
From here, you're able to access your iPhone's Photos Library and manage all the pictures and videos in your camera roll and other albums.
Step 3: Add pictures from Mac to iPhone.
Click the + button at the top, and select Add File or Add Folder to choose your desired photos or picture folder on your Mac. Alternatively, you may drag and drop the photos from your Mac to this iPhone Photos window directly.
It will quickly transfer your photos to your iPhone without overwriting any existing data in your Photos app. Additionally, it supports transferring music, videos, messages, and other data between iOS devices and Mac/PC. For transferring music from Mac to iPhone, check out this separate guide.
Video guide: Transfer photos and videos from Mac to iPhone
How to import photos from Mac to iPhone wirelessly
A wired connection can import photos to iPhone easily. But it doesn't mean that there's no other way to transfer pictures from Mac to iPhone wirelessly. To make it, the most convenient way is to use the Apple-supported iCloud, AirDrop, and other cloud-based services.
iCloud Photos has made it simple to transfer Mac photos to iPhone wirelessly. When iCloud Photos is enabled on both devices, your videos and photos from Mac will automatically sync to your iPhone and other iCloud-connected devices, offering real-time access in the Photos library.
Before moving photos from Mac to iPhone:
Every Apple account comes with 5 GB of free iCloud storage. If you're running low on space, try upgrading to iCloud+ for additional paid storage.
The process requires an active Wi-Fi connection, and both your Mac and iPhone should be signed in with the same Apple ID.
There are two ways to transfer photos from Mac to iPhone: automatic syncing via iCloud Photos app or manually uploading photos through the iCloud website.
Use iCloud Photos app to sync Mac photos to iPhone
Step 1. Turn on iCloud Photos on Mac.
Open the Apple menu and choose System Setting or System Preference from the list.
Click on your name and choose iCloud from the left menu.
Locate Photos in the list of iCloud apps and enable the switch next to Sync this Mac.
It may take a while to upload pictures and videos from your Mac Photos to iCloud.
Step 2. Enable iCloud Photos on iPhone.
Go to Settings and tap your Apple ID > iCloud > Photos.
In iCloud Photos screen, enable the Sync this iPhone toggle.
Step 3. Access Mac photos on your iPhone.
Move to the Photos app on iPhone.
The Mac photos synced with your iCloud will appear in your iPhone Photos Library now.
Select the pictures and videos you like and download them to your iPhone locally.
Use iCloud Photos website to upload photos from Mac to iPhone
Another option is using iCloud website to upload the photos on your Mac, and then download to your iPhone. To quickly get photos from your Mac to iPhone through iCloud Photos website:
Sign in to your iCloud Photos by entering your Apple ID and the password. Make sure it's the same one used on your iPhone.
Click the Upload icon in the upper right corner and select the pictures from your Mac.
When the pictures are added to iCloud Photos successfully, you can easily check them in the Photos app on your iPhone and any of your iCloud-enabled devices.
Share Mac photos with iPhone via AirDrop
Introduced in Apple ecosystem, AirDrop is an excellent option for wireless photo transfer from Mac to iPhone if you just want to move a couple of pictures. Ensure that your Mac and iPhone have AirDrop enabled and set it to receive from Everyone. Place them near each other within the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range, and here's how to AriDrop photos from Mac to iPhone:
Step1. Enable AirDrop on Mac.
Click the Control Center status menu, and click AirDrop icon to turn it on.
When AirDrop toggle is blue, set it to Contacts Only or Every One.
Step 2. Turn on AirDrop on iPhone.
Swipe down or up from the edge of your iPhone to access Control Center.
Press AirDrop icon to enable it and set it to be discovered by Everyone or Contacts Only.
Step 3. Select and AirDrop photos from your Mac to iPhone.
On your Mac, open the folder where your pictures are stored.
Choose the photos you prefer to share with your iPhone. To select multiple items, hold the Command key on your keyboard while clicking on each picture you want.
Right-click to select Share > AirDrop, or click Share button at the top and choose AirDrop.
From the nearby AirDrop devices, target your iPhone to transfer the photos.
When AirDrop message pops up on your iPhone screen, tap Accept to save all transferred pictures to your Photos Library.
If you have thousands of photos to move, iPhone Data Transfer would be a better option for bulk transfer in no time.
Import photos to iPhone from Mac using Google Photos
Google Photos is an ideal pick for those who want to transfer photos from their Mac to their iPhone without cable or iCloud. It provides each user with 15 GB of free cloud storage, which is much larger than iCloud offers. Just install it on your Apple devices and ensure there's enough storage for the photos you prefer to transfer from Mac to iPhone. Here's what to do:
On your Mac, open a browser and visit Google Photos website.
Log in with your Gmail ID and password.
Click Upload > Computer in the upper right corner.
Choose and upload the Mac photos or picture folders that you want to get to your iPhone.
You may also drag and drop your pictures or videos here to upload.
Install and run Google Photos app on your iPhone and sign in with the same Google account.
Browse the pictures in Google Photos and select the images you want.
Tap Share button > Save Image to download the photos to your iPhone Photos Library.
FAQs on Mac photo transfer to iPhone
Hopefully, these methods can help you transfer photos from your Mac to your iPhone either with or without a cable. If necessary, they can also help with the photo transfer from Mac to iPad. If you still have trouble in moving pictures to iPhone, check out these FAQs:
Q1. Why can't I transfer photos from Mac to iPhone?
When transferring photos with a wired connection, make sure you're using a rightful USB or Lightning cable and allow your iPhone to trust your computer if anything required.
When using cloud services, check if there's enough cloud storage for the pictures and videos you want transfer. Ensure both your Mac and iPhone are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
If you're sharing photos with AirDrop, make sure to put your Mac and iPhone close to each other.
Q2. Can I transfer photos from Mac to iPhone without iCloud?
Yes. There are multiple non-iCloud options that can transfer pictures and videos from Mac iPhone:
iTunes for macOS 10.14 or earlier.
Finder for on macOS 10.15 and later.
iPhone Data Transfer for all macOS and iOS versions.
Google Photos with 15 GB of free cloud storage.
AirDrop.
Email.
Q3. How do I transfer photos from my Mac to iPhone without using a cable?
Many cloud-based services allow for wireless transfer of photos from a Mac to an iPhone. For example, you can use iCloud Photos, Google Photos, Dropbox, and other cloud storage drives. Also, Apple's AirDrop feature enables Mac users to share photos with their iPhone wirelessly.
Q4. I have thousands of pictures on my Mac. How can I transfer them to my iPhone's Photos Library?
If you have a large library of photos and videos on your Mac, the iPhone Data Transfer can be an efficient option to move all pictures to your iPhone in minutes. Simply follow these quick steps:
Open iPhone Data Transfer and connect your iPhone with Mac via a USB cable.
Move to Photos tab on the left side.
Click the Add button at the top and select Add File (or Add Folder).
Choose the photos or picture folder from your Mac.
The images will be added to your iPhone's Photos Library instantly without quality loss.
