How to Transfer Photos from PC/Mac Computer to iPhone with/without iTunes

• We received a nice bit of requests asking about how to transfer photos from iPhone to computer (PC or Mac). If you have the same question, please go to visit the two guides: How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Windows Computer and How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Mac Computer.

One of the most frequently asked questions from our users is about How to Transfer Photos from Computer to iPhone? If you are also confused about this question, read our post with deep attention. In this article, we will show you how to import photos from computer to iPhone with and without iTunes. If you want to upgrade to new iPhone XS (Max)/XR/X and transfer photos to new iPhone X/XR/XS (Max) this moment, this post would also be helpful.

When it comes to transferring photos from computer to iPhone, there is no doubt that the first solution come to our mind is iTunes. However, when syncing photos from computer to iPhone with iTunes, all the photos, music, ringtones, iBooks and other media files you synced to your iPhone will be erased (just like the following screenshot shows). And you need to pick up all the photos you want to transfer and save them in one folder before you starting syncing.

Sync Photos from Computer to iPhone with iTunes – Erase Data

To keep all your data on iPhone safe, in this guide, we will show you a totally new way to put photos on iPhone – AnyTrans for iOS. With it, you can put multiple or all photos on iPhone from computer at once. More than anything, unlike iTunes, you won't lose any existing data or file during syncing.

Part 1: How to Transfer Photos from PC/Mac Computer to iPhone without iTunes

Before starting the tutorial about how to transfer pictures from computer to iPhone without iTunes, let's have a basic knowledge of AnyTrans for iOS by listing its top features on managing photos:

• You can transfer call kinds of formats of photos from computer to your iPhone.
• AnyTrans for iOS ensures no loss of picture quality and no compression. You can view your photos on iPhone with the original image quality.
• Lightning fast photo transferring speed - You can transfer 100 pictures from computer to iPhone in only 3.4 seconds.
• Unlike iTunes syncing, there would be no data loss and erasing. 100% guarantee your data security.
• AnyTrans for iOS also enables you to directly upload photos on computer to iCloud. By it, you can also achieve the goal of viewing PC/Mac photos on iPhone, and it would save a lot of space for you.
• Supports all the models of iPhone, including iPhone 4/4s/5/5s/6/6s/SE/7/8/X/XR/XS (Max). and both of Windows and Mac operating system, including Windows 7/8/10/XP/Vista, Mac OS X 10.8/9/10/11 (like Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan and Mac OS Sierra, Mac OS High Sierra, etc.).

Step 1. Launch AnyTrans for iOS, and connect your iPhone to computer via a USB cable. After AnyTrans for iOS recognize your iPhone, click Add Content shortcut to add photos.

How to Transfer Photos from PC/Mac to iPhone without iTunes – Step 1

Step 2. Browse the photos on your Mac/PC, select photos and click the "Open" button to start transferring the selected photos to your iPhone.

How to Transfer Photos from Computer to iPhone without iTunes - Step 2

Step 3. Then check the album, and click right arrow to start transferring.

How to Transfer Photos from Computer to iPhone without iTunes - Step 3

Step 4. After transferring, you can unlock your iPhone and go to Photos app > Albums on your device. All transferred pictures will be stored there.

How to Transfer Photos from Computer to iPhone without iTunes - Step 4

Part 2: How to Transfer Photos from Computer to iPhone with iTunes

When transferring photos from PC or Mac computer to iPhone/iPad with iTunes, you will lose all the media files (like Photos, TV Shows, Music, Ringtones, iBooks, etc) synced to your iPhone, if you don't want to lose any existing files on your iPhone, please move to Part 1.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to computer with its USB cable, and then run iTunes if it doesn't open automatically.

Step 2: Click Device tab > Select Photos > Check Sync Photos > Select where you want to sync photos (iPhoto, Photos or some specific folder) > Click Apply. If you choose to import photos from your computer's some folder to iPhone, and the folder you choose has some sub-folders, you need to select All folders or Selected folders firstly before starting syncing.

How to Transfer Photos from PC/Mac to iPhone with iTunes

Important Note: If you turned on iCloud Photo Library on your iPhone or iPad, when syncing photos from computer to iDevice with iTunes, you may find your iTunes doesn’t allow you to sync photos from computer to iPhone iPad, because your iTunes doesn’t have this sync option. It just pops up a window and says: “iCloud Photos is On. XXX can access photos in iCloud. Photos can be downloaded to your device via Wi-Fi or cellular network”, just like the following screenshot shows.

To fix this “iTunes can’t sync photos because iCloud photos on” problem, you have 3 choices, they are followed:

Choice 1: Turn off iCloud Photo Library on your iPhone/iPad with the steps below:

On your iPhone iPad, go to Settings App > Apple ID > iCloud > Photos > iCloud Photo Library > Tap on it to turn it off > Choose Remove from iPhone or Download Photos & Videos.

Warning: Applying Choice 1, you have to remove all the iCloud photos from iPhone (those photos stored in iCloud but not on your iPhone will be deleted) or download these iCloud photos to iPhone (this will be huge burden for an iPhone with limited storage, especially you are working with a 16GB or 32 GB iPhone). If you want to keep all iCloud photos, and spare more storage on your iPhone, please choose Choice 2.

Choice 2: Add photos to iCloud from your computer directly, and then all the newly added iCloud photos will be shown on your iPhone automatically once your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

About how to add photos to iCloud from computer, you can download AnyTrans for iOS on your PC/Mac firstly, and then follow Part 3 to make it.

Choice 3: Sync photos from computer to iPhone iPad with an iTunes alternative, just like the Part 1 shows – transfer photos to iPhone without erasing existing data on iDevice.

Part 3. How to Add Photos to iCloud from PC/Mac Computer

Just as we have said above, AnyTrans for iOS can help you directly upload PC/Mac photos to iCloud, so you can directly view them on iPhone, too, and it will save much space. Besides, it is also a troubleshooting for issue of iTunes can’t sync photos because iCloud photos on, mentioned in Part 2. So why not download it now, and follow the steps below to add photos to iCloud from computer?

Step 1. Run AnyTrans for iOS on your PC/Mac > Choose iCloud Manager tab > Sing in your iCloud.

How to Add Photos to iCloud from Computer - Step 1

Step 2. Click Photos.

How to Add Photos to iCloud from Computer - Step 2

Step 3. Click Upload button to select the photos on your computer, and then click Open to start adding.

How to Add Photos to iCloud from Computer - Step 3

The Bottom Line

As you can see, with the help of AnyTrans for iOS, it is easy enough to transfer photos from PC or Mac to iPhone, and you won't lose any precious data on your device. Except transfer photos to iPhone, AnyTrans for iOS also supports transferring Videos, Music, Ringtones, Voice Memos, iBooks, Podcasts, and other iOS data to iPhone, or from iPhone to computer or iTunes library, with data and personal information safety guaranteed. Why not download AnyTrans for iOS and try it yourself?Why not get AnyTrans for iOS and start adding photos to your iPhone now?

Joy Taylor Member of iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iPhone related issues.

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