Windows 10 Can’t Import Photos From iPhone: Getting Your Pictures Onto the PC
You connect your iPhone with a cable, open the Photos app, and choose Import from a USB device. It shows “Something went wrong,” finds no photos, or stops partway through. File Explorer may show the iPhone with an empty “Internal Storage” folder. When Windows 10 can’t import photos from iPhone, your memories are stuck on the phone.
Windows can only see an iPhone’s photos when the phone is unlocked and has trusted the computer. iPhones also need Apple’s device driver, which comes with the Apple Devices app or iTunes, to work reliably with Windows.
Large libraries, HEIC files, and iCloud Photos settings that keep originals only in the cloud cause further problems.
Fixing trust, drivers, and phone settings usually makes slot mahjong imports run smoothly.
Possible Causes
Imports fail for these reasons:
- The iPhone is locked or has not trusted the PC.
- Apple’s mobile device driver is missing or outdated.
- “Optimize iPhone Storage” keeps full-size photos in iCloud only.
- The import is too large, or the cable or port is unreliable.
If File Explorer shows “Internal Storage” as empty, the phone usually has not been unlocked or trusted yet.
Quick Fixes to Try First
Prepare the phone and connection.
- Unlock the iPhone and keep it on the home screen while connected.
- When asked “Trust This Computer?”, tap Trust and enter your passcode.
- Use an original or certified Lightning or USB-C cable and a direct USB port.
- Install the Apple Devices app or iTunes from the Microsoft Store to add Apple’s driver.
- Disconnect and reconnect the phone, then try importing again.
If you tapped Don’t Trust earlier, reset it on the iPhone in Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy.
Advanced Steps for Stubborn Cases
Fix phone settings and import in smaller batches.
- On the iPhone, open Settings > Photos and set “Transfer to Mac or PC” to Automatic.
- If “Optimize iPhone Storage” is on, download originals first, or use iCloud for Windows to download them.
- In File Explorer, open the iPhone’s DCIM folders and copy one folder at a time.
- In Device Manager, update “Apple Mobile Device USB Driver” under Portable Devices or Universal Serial Bus devices.
- Restart both the PC and the iPhone.
Before You Go Further: Keep Your Files Safe
Do not delete photos from the iPhone until you confirm they opened correctly on the PC. Keep a second backup, such as iCloud or an external drive.
Conclusion
iPhone imports fail when the phone is locked, untrusted, or missing Apple’s driver. Unlock and trust the PC, install Apple Devices or iTunes, use Automatic transfer, and import in smaller batches.