{"id":28433,"date":"2023-01-07T15:18:08","date_gmt":"2023-01-07T15:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/01\/07\/7-ways-to-transfer-files-between-iphone-and-mac\/"},"modified":"2023-01-07T15:18:08","modified_gmt":"2023-01-07T15:18:08","slug":"7-ways-to-transfer-files-between-iphone-and-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/01\/07\/7-ways-to-transfer-files-between-iphone-and-mac\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Ways to Transfer Files Between iPhone and Mac"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"iPhone
New Africa\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There\u2019s more than one way to transfer data<\/a> between your iPhone and Mac. Though most services rely on the cloud, you\u2019ve got a few choices when it comes to moving files like photos, videos, or documents that don\u2019t all require an internet connection.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> How to Transfer Chrome Tabs Between iPhone, iPad, and Mac<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Transfer Wirelessly with AirDrop<\/h2>\n

AirDrop is Apple\u2019s wireless file transfer protocol that works locally between Apple devices like the iPhone<\/a>, iPad<\/a>, MacBook<\/a>, and desktop Mac<\/a>. You can access AirDrop from the Share menu on both mobile devices and computers. On an iPhone or iPad, hit \u201cShare\u201d then tap on the \u201cAirDrop\u201d icon from the list of services, followed by the destination.<\/p>\n

\"AirDrop<\/p>\n

On a Mac, you can right-click<\/a> on a file then choose \u201cShare\u2026\u201d followed by \u201cAirDrop\u201d and the destination you want to send the file to. You can send multiple files in either direction, though we\u2019ve noticed things seem to go a little smoother when you break up especially large transfers (multiple video files, for example).<\/p>\n

\"Share<\/p>\n

Files received on a Mac can be saved to the Downloads folder, on an iPhone you will need to specify an app to use to open (and save) the file. If only one app is compatible, the file will open automatically.<\/p>\n

\""Open<\/p>\n

AirDrop is the easiest and fastest way of sending a file assuming everything goes to plan. Unfortunately, this method can be a little temperamental. We\u2019ve got a list of things you can try if AirDrop isn\u2019t working<\/a> the way it\u2019s supposed to.<\/p>\n

Move Data Over a Cable with Finder<\/h2>\n

If AirDrop isn\u2019t working and you\u2019d rather use a trusty physical wired connection instead, grab your iPhone charging cable<\/a> and connect it to your Mac directly. Make sure you\u2019ve hit \u201cTrust\u201d on each device if prompted, then launch Finder and click on your iPhone in the sidebar and select the Files tab.<\/p>\n

\"Finder<\/p>\n

From here you can drag files into the window and then drop them \u201cinto\u201d a relevant app to place the file in that app\u2019s data. You\u2019ll be able to access this on your iPhone using the relevant app or using the Files app on the \u201cBrowse\u201d tab.<\/p>\n

To copy files from your iPhone, expand an app folder then click and drag the file to a destination of your choosing.<\/p>\n

Upload to iCloud (then Download)<\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll get 5GB of iCloud storage when you sign up for an Apple ID<\/a>, but there are some good reasons to upgrade your iCloud storage<\/a>. Chief among them is the ability to back up your device automatically<\/a> to the cloud and store media like photos and videos on Apple\u2019s servers, saving space on your local device<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got some spare iCloud storage available<\/a>, why not use it as a traditional cloud storage platform? On an iPhone or iPad, access this using the \u201cShare\u201d menu then pick the \u201cSave to Files\u201d option. From here, navigate to your iCloud storage (keep tapping the \u201cBack\u201d arrow until you see \u201ciCloud Drive\u201d listed under \u201cLocations\u201d) and choose where to save the file.<\/p>\n

\""Save<\/p>\n

Wait for the file to upload. On your Mac, open Finder and click on iCloud Drive<\/a> in the sidebar. Navigate to the location in which you just saved the file, and you can now open it, move it, copy it, and do whatever you like. You can also upload files from your Mac in this way, by navigating to an iCloud Drive folder in Finder.<\/p>\n

\"Browse<\/p>\n

From here, open the Files app on your iPhone and use the \u201cBrowse\u201d tab to find the file you uploaded. You can now open it in a compatible app, move it to a folder of your choosing, or share it elsewhere right from your iPhone or iPad.<\/p>\n

Use an iCloud Drive Alternative<\/h2>\n

If you use a third-party cloud storage service like Google Drive<\/a>, Dropbox, or OneDrive, you can also use this service to upload and download files. The instructions will vary depending on the service you use, but it shouldn\u2019t be too hard to work out.<\/p>\n

To upload or access files from your iPhone or iPad, you\u2019ll need the corresponding app from the App Store. Google Drive, for example, has an \u201cUpload\u201d option under the plus \u201c+\u201d icon which allows you to select \u201cPhotos and Videos\u201d (to move files from your Photos library) or \u201cBrowse\u201d (to use the Files app picker to specify another type of file).<\/p>\n

\"Upload<\/p>\n

With the file uploaded, use the corresponding app on a Mac or web interface to access it by navigating to the location in which you saved it. Repeat this process in reverse to upload from your Mac, clicking and dragging a file into place then finding it using the corresponding app for iPhone or iPad.<\/p>\n

Move Media with iCloud Photos Library<\/h2>\n

If you have enabled iCloud Photos Library<\/a>, new photos will be uploaded automatically from your iPhone or iPad when you have a Wi-Fi connection and enough battery to do so. These will then be available on your Mac, using the Photos app. Sometimes you may need to open the Photos app on your iPhone, scroll to the bottom of the \u201cLibrary\u201d tab then hit \u201cSync Now\u201d to manually force media to sync.<\/p>\n

\"Hit<\/p>\n

The same should work for uploading media from your Mac. Click and drag a photo or video into your Photos app (or use File > Import\u2026 in the menu bar) to add it to your library. Wait for it to upload, then access it on your iPhone or iPad.<\/p>\n

You can use this method of transfer with HEIF images<\/a>, HEVC videos<\/a>, JPEG, PNG, GIF<\/a>, and both RAW<\/a> and TIFF files.<\/p>\n

Some Third-Party Apps Support Wi-Fi Transfer<\/h2>\n

Some apps support wireless transfers using a standard web browser. A good example here is VLC<\/a>, which allows you to transfer video files directly to your device\u2019s local storage from a Mac (or another computer) using a desktop browser. With the app running and \u201cSharing via Wi-Fi\u201d enabled, access the web interface at the specified URL<\/a> using your Mac\u2019s web browser and then drag and drop files.<\/p>\n

\"Enable<\/p>\n

Get an iPhone-Compatible Flash Drive<\/h2>\n

You can also transfer files manually to a flash drive<\/a> which can connect to a Mac and iPhone or iPad. On a Mac, this works like a standard flash drive: plug it in, launch Finder, select the USB stick from the location in the sidebar, and copy files to or from it.<\/p>\n

On an iPhone or iPad, you\u2019ll either need to use the Files app (where supported) or an app designed by the manufacturer. If you use Files, the flash drive will appear in \u201cLocations\u201d on the \u201cBrowse\u201d tab. You can use it like any other location (for example, iCloud) to save or retrieve files.<\/p>\n

If you use a manufacturer\u2019s app, you might find there are some simple one-touch operations available to you as well, like backing up your Photos library to the flash drive in one touch. These drives are built with both a Lightning connector and standard USB (either Type-A or Type-C), like the SanDisk 256GB iXpand Flash Drive Go<\/a>, to make transferring files between devices a relatively painless affair.<\/p>\n

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iPhone-compatible Flash Drive<\/p>\n

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SanDisk 256GB iXpand Flash Drive Go<\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

With a Lightning connector on one end and a standard USB Type-A connector on the other, use the SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Go to make backups or transfer files between an iPhone or iPad and Mac or Windows computer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

More Ways to Share<\/h2>\n

If you mostly want to share with other people rather than devices, consider setting up an iCloud Shared Photos Library with friends or family<\/a>. You can also collaborate on Notes<\/a>, maintain shared Reminders lists<\/a>,\u00a0automatically share health data<\/a>, and even share what you\u2019re watching or listening to<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n