Applies To: iPhone XS/XS Max/XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone 6/6s, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, MacBook Mini

How to transfer photos from iPhone to MacBook Air? Well, generally speaking, you can import photos from iPhone to Mac either with the built-in App or feature on the devices or with the help of some third-party tool. For example, built-in Apps like iPhoto, Photos, Image Capture on Mac enables you to import photos from iPhone to MacBook Air. However, the photos you can transfer with these Apps are limited to photos in Camera Roll. Thus, if you want to copy all photos in Camera Roll, Photo Stream and Photo Library from iPhone to Mac, you will need EaseUS MobiMover, the reliable tool for iOS data transfer, to get things done. In addition to using MobiMover, this article also provides other 2 methods of transferring photos from iPhone to MacBook Air wirelessly, either with iCloud or AirDrop. Read on to get the details.

How to transfer photos from iPhone to MacBook Air

When you connect your iPhone to your MacBook Pro, iTunes opens automatically, but unless you configure certain settings yourself nothing will open for your photos. Mac OS X provides two solutions for downloading photos from your iPhone's camera roll: iPhoto and Image Capture. Connect your device to your Mac. You can connect your device using a USB or USB-C cable or using a Wi-Fi connection. 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 Photos in the button bar.

Part 1: How to transfer photos from iPhone to MacBook Air without iTunes using MobiMover

As an iOS data transfer tool that is compatible with Mac and PC, MobiMover helps to transfer files between iOS device (iPhone/iPad) and Mac/PC or between iOS devices. With MobiMover installed on your computer, you can transfer the following files to or out of your iPhone.

What can MobiMover transfer or manage for you:

Photos: Camera Roll, Photo Library, Photo Stream, Photo Videos

Videos: Movies, TV shows, Music Videos

Audios: Music, Ringtones, Voice Memos, Audiobooks, Playlists

Others: Contacts, Notes, Messages, Voice Mails, Books, and Safari Bookmarks

As you can see, transferring photos from iPhone to MacBook Air is just one of the many things MobiMover can do for you. Things like transferring contacts from iPhone to iPhone, backing up iPhone text messages to computer and putting music to iPhone from computer can all be easily done via MobiMover. What's more, compared to iCloud, MobiMover enables you to import photos from iPhone to MacBook Air even without a network connection and you don't need to worry about whether there is enough space to store the photos. While compared to using AirDrop, MobiMover is more convenient when it comes to transferring multiple items. You can enjoy much more conveniences if you use EaseUS MobiMover. Now, follow the steps below to have a try.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to Mac with a USB cable. Run EaseUS MobiMover, choose 'Phone to Mac' and click the 'Next' button to continue.

Step 2. Check the category/categories you want to copy from your iPhone to Mac. As you can see, you can copy other supported files together with photos from your iPhone to Mac all at once. After that, don't forget to customize the storage path for the exported photos unless you want to save them on your desktop.

Step 3. Now, click the 'Transfer' button to start transferring photos or other files from your iPhone to Mac without iTunes. Exporting files from iPhone to Mac with MobiMover is the right way for backup to avoid unexpected data loss.

An iOS data transfer tool is not the only role MobiMover can play. With the file management features equipped, MobiMover can also serve as an iPhone content manager that you can use to delete/edit the existing files on your iPhone or add new items to your device from computer. In a word, MobiMover is an unmissable tool for you iPhone users. Don't hesitate to try MobiMover and make it your good helper.

Part 2: How to import photos from iPhone to MacBook Air wirelessly with iCloud

Using iCloud is a good choice for you if you want to transfer photos from iPhone to MacBook Air wirelessly. Make sure you have connected your iPhone to a stable and reliable Wi-Fi network and then go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos to turn on iCloud Photo Library. After that, follow the steps below to import photos from iPhone to MacBook Air using iCloud.

Step 1. Go to visit iCloud.com from your MacBook Air.

Step 2. Login into iCloud with your Apple ID and password which you use to sign into iCloud on your iPhone.

How To Download Photos From Iphone To Mac Without Icloud

Step 3. Choose Photos among the options and then you will see the photos on your iPhone.

Step 4: Select the photos you'd like to import from iPhone to your Mac and then click the Download Selected items icon at the top right corner of your screen. By doing so, you can transfer photos from iPhone to MacBook Air wirelessly.

You can use the similar way to download iCloud photos to PC if you need.

Part 3: How to import photos from iPhone to MacBook Air wirelessly with AirDrop

Another way to copy photos from iPhone to MacBook Air is using AirDrop, the built-in feature on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch for data sharing between two AirDrop-supported devices. What you need to pay attention to here is that MobiMover need WLAN and Bluetooth to work, thus make sure there is nothing wrong with these two features on your devices. Then, follow the steps below to transfer photos from iPhone to MacBook Air wirelessly using AirDrop.

Step 1: Turn on AirDrop on your iPhone.

• On iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus or earlier: Swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone screen to open Control Center. On iPhone X, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
• If your iPhone is running in iOS 11, press deeply on the module where Airplane Mode locates in, click AirDrop to turn it on and set your iPhone to be discovered by Contacts Only or Everyone. While if you are using iOS 10 or earlier, click AirDrop directly to switch it on after opening Control Center. (Don't forget to turn on WLAN and Bluetooth at the same time.)

Step 2: Turn on AirDrop on your MacBook Air.

• On your MacBook Air, go to Finder > Go > AirDrop and turn on Bluetooth and WiFi to enable AirDrop on your Mac.
• Set your Mac to be discovered by Contacts Only or Everyone.

Step 3: After turning on AirDrop on both of your devices, you can begin to transfer photos from iPhone to MacBook Air as you like.

• Go to the Photos App on your iPhone.
• Select the photos you'd like to import from iPhone to your Mac.
• Tap on the Share button and choose your Mac from the AirDrop section.

Looking for a way to move photos from your Mac to your computer? Read on this guide to get some simple methods to transfer pictures from Mac to iPhone quickly.

There are many ways to move photos from Mac to your iPhone, like iTunes, iCloud Photo Library, AirDrop. And some iPhone photo transfer tool will also do the work for you. In this post, we will offer you 4 step-by-step ways to successfully transfer pictures from your Mac to iPhone.

Before we start, we’d like to tell you that this post works for all kinds of iPhones and computers.

• Supported iPhone:iPhone 5/5s, iPhone SE, iPhone 6/6s, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, iPhone X/11/iPhone 12, iOS 14/13/12/11/10
• Supported Computer:Windows XP/7/8/10, MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac

Transfer Photos from Mac to iPhone Using iTunes
Transfer Photos from Mac to iPhone without iTunes
Transfer Photos from Mac to iPhone with iCloud
Export Photos from Mac to iPhone Using AirDrop

How to Move Photos from Mac to iPhone Using iTunes

Before you use iTunes to move photos from Mac to iPhone, one important thing you should know: when syncing photos from computer to iPhone, all the photos, music, ringtones, iBooks, and other media files on your iPhone would be erased (just like the following screenshot shows).

Transfer Photos from Mac to iPhone with iTunes – Erase Data

Using iTunes on macOS Mojave and earlier versions:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac and launch iTunes if it doesn’t run automatically.
2. Choose your iPhone icon, and choose “Photos” from the left menu.
3. Check “Sync Photos” and select Pictures or Choose a folder from the “Copy Photos From” checkbox.
4. Click “Apply” to transfer photos from Mac to your iPhone iPad, or iPod touch.

Import Photos from Mac to iPhone with Finder

On macOS Catalina and later, there is no iTunes, but you can sync your iPhone photos and more with Mac with Finder, here is how:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable.
2. Open Finder on your Mac
3. Your iPhone should appear in the sidebar of the Finder Window under Locations.
4. Click on your iPhone. If prompted, please trust your iPhone.
5. Select Photos and check “Sync photo to your device from” checkbox.
6. Choose Photos, or Choose folder…, or Pictures from the pod up menu.
7. After choosing the photos you need to sync, click Apply.

Sync Photos from Mac to iPhone via Finder

iTunes doesn’t allow you to transfer photos from Mac to iPhone with iCloud Photo Library on. If you get the message of “iCloud Photo is On”, here are three solutions for this.

How to Transfer Photos from Mac to iPhone – iCloud Photo is On

Method 1. Turn off iCloud Photo Library

On your iPhone, go to Settings app > [your name] > iCloud > Photos. Tap the button next to Photo, choose to Remove from iPhone or Download Photos & Videos, now iCloud Photo is turned off.

Please note that after turning off the iCloud Photo Library, you have to remove all the iCloud photos on your iPhone or download these iCloud photos to iPhone (this would be a large burden for your iPhone, especially if you are running 16 GB or 32 GB plan).

How To Download Photos From Iphone To Mac Without Itunes

Method 2. Add photos from computer to iCloud

Add photos from the computer to iCloud directly, then all newly added iCloud photos can be synced to your iPhone once it is connected to WiFi or cellular network. Please refer to this guide to make it. How to Transfer Photos from Computer to iCloud >

Method 3. Try iTunes Alternative

If you want to keep your iPhone data safe while syncing photos from computer to iPhone iPad iPod touch, you can refer to Method 2 to make it.

We received a nice bit of requests asking about how to transfer photos from iPhone to Mac computer, if you have the same question, please move to this guide: How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Mac with 6 Methods

Transfer Photos to iPhone with AnyTrans

If you prefer an easy, quick, and safe way to export photos from your Mac to your iPhone, then you have a try on AnyTrans. It is a smart iTunes alternative that gives you the best management experience on photos, music, ringtones, movies, and more.

AnyTrans – iPhone Photo Transfer

• Transfer ALL or part of photos from Mac to iPhone.
• Lightning-fast speed to transfer Mac pictures to iDevices.
• No compression, transfer photos with the original pixels.
• Also support transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone directly.

Download for Win100% Clean & Safe

Download for Mac100% Clean & Safe

Step 1: Free download AnyTrans on your computer > Connect your iPhone to Mac via USB cable > Choose “Device Manager” and then click the “+” button to add photos from your Mac.

Transfer Photos from Mac to iPhone with AnyTrans – Step 1

Step 2: Choose the folder contains the photos you need > Select the photos you want > Click on the “Open” button to continue.

Transfer Photos from Mac to iPhone with AnyTrans – Step 2

Step 3: Click on the “Next” button to start transferring the selected photos from Mac to your iPhone. You can click the “>” button to check the details of the selected photos.

Transfer Photos from Mac to iPhone with AnyTrans – Step 3

After the release of iOS 11 version, iDevices use HEIC photos by default. While this new file format is remarkably more efficient in terms of storage space, it is not yet widely compatible. But, don’t worry, you can use free iMobie HEIC Converter to convert HEIC photos into JPG, PNG, and PDF. Read this article to see how to convert HEIC to JPG on computer.

Upload Photos from Mac to iCloud with AnyTrans

Besides that, it also lets you upload photos from Mac to iCloud directly, and then photos will be synced to your iPhone when you have logged in with the same Apple ID.

Step 1: Free download AnyTrans on your computer > Install and run it on your computer > Choose “iCloud Manager” mode > Log in with your iCloud account.

Upload Photos from Mac to iCloud with AnyTrans – Step 1

Step 2: Click on the “Photos” option to upload photos from your Mac.

Upload Photos from Mac to iCloud with AnyTrans – Step 2

Step 3: Click thebutton at the top-right conner > Choose the folder contains the photos you want > Select the photos you need > Click “Open” button to upload photos from Mac to iCloud.

Upload Photos from Mac to iCloud with AnyTrans – Step 3

Bonus Method. How to Transfer Photos from Mac to iPhone Wirelessly

When you find out that there is no USB cable available or your iPhone cannot be recognized by your computer, AnyTrans app on your iPhone can help you to transfer photos from Mac to iPhone wirelessly.

It can help you transfer files like music, video, photos, documents from phone to computer and vice versa, or between two devices. You just need to install it on your devices(both iOS and Android are compatible), then you can directly transfer files from one device to another wirelessly via this app.

Make sure your iPhone and Mac are connected to Wi-Fi, and cellular data would not work in the following steps.

Step 1. Install AnyTrans app on your iPhone.

Step 2. On your Mac: Go to anytrans.io from your browser and you will see a QR Code.

On your iPhone: Open AnyTrans app > Tap on the Scan button to scan the QR code on your Mac.

How to Transfer Photos from Mac to iPhone Wirelessly with AnyTrans App – Step 2

Jhow T Download Photos From Iphone To Mac Computer

Step 3. Then all your iPhone photos will show up on your computer > Click the “Upload” button > Select the photos you want to transfer > Click on “Open” button to transfer photos from Mac to your iPhone.

How to Transfer Photos from Mac to iPhone Wirelessly with AnyTrans App – Step 3

How to Transfer Photos from Mac to iPhone with iCloud

Using iCloud Photo Sharing with Photos for macOS (macOS high sierra) you can keep photos up to date on all your devices including your Mac and iPhone, This means photos will be transferred to your iPhone from Mac if you enabled iCloud Photos on.

Turn on iCloud Photos on Mac with OS X 10.10.3 or later:

1. Go to System Preferences > iCloud.
2. Click Options next to Photos.
3. Select iCloud Photos.

Turn on iCloud Photos on iPhone with iOS 10.3 or later:

1. Go to Settings > [your name].
2. Choose iCloud > Tap on Photos.
3. Turn on iCloud Photos option.

Sync Photos from Mac to iPhone Using AirDrop

With AirDrop, you can easily transfer photos from Mac or external hard drive to your iPhone iPad iPod touch wirelessly. This is a quick way if you only need to send a few photos.

Requirements:

1. Mac from 2012 or later (excluding the mid-2012 Mac Pro) using OS X Yosemite or later.

2. iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using iOS 7 or later.

Turn on AirDrop on both your iOS device and Mac:

1. On your Mac, open a Finder window and choose AirDrop.
2. Turn on Bluetooth and WiFi to enable the AirDrop feature on your Mac.
3. Set the option Allow to be discovered by Everyone.
4. On your iOS device, swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone screen to launch theControl Center.
5. Tap onAirDrop, and then set your iPhone to be discovered byEveryone.

Send photos from the Mac to the iPhone:

1. On the Mac: Simply drag and drop the photos you wish to transfer to your device.
2. On your iPhone: The iPhone may ask if you want to accept the photos, just tap Accept to save the picture send from your Mac.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, compared to iTunes, it’s much easier and quicker to use AnyTrans to transfer photos from Mac to iPhone, easy-to-operate and no data loss. Even if you have no prior knowledge of data transfer, you can still add photos to your iPhone without effort. Just give it a try >

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