Fix Windows 10 Photos App Not Importing iPhone

If the Windows 10 Photos app won’t import photos from your iPhone, the fix usually involves unlocking the phone, trusting the computer, or changing the USB connection mode. This guide walks through the most common causes and step-by-step solutions to get your imports working again.

Why the Photos App Fails to Import from iPhone

Windows 10’s Photos app relies on the iPhone’s built-in file transfer protocol (PTP) to see and copy photos. When it fails, the cause is almost always one of these:

• The iPhone is locked or the screen is off during connection.
• The “Trust This Computer” prompt was ignored or dismissed.
• The USB cable is damaged or not a data cable (some cables charge only).
• Windows is using the wrong driver or the Apple Mobile Device USB driver is missing.
• The Photos app itself is outdated or its cache is corrupted.

Step 1: Unlock and Trust the Computer

1. Connect your iPhone to the PC with a known-good USB cable.
2. Unlock your iPhone and keep the screen on.
3. If you see the “Trust This Computer?” alert, tap Trust and enter your passcode if asked.
4. On the PC, open the Photos app and click Import > From a USB device.

If the trust prompt never appeared, disconnect, restart both devices, and try again. Sometimes the prompt only appears after you’ve unlocked the phone and plugged it into a different USB port.

Step 2: Change the USB Connection Mode

By default, iPhones ask how to connect when plugged into a computer. If you previously selected “Don’t Trust” or “Charge Only,” the Photos app won’t see the device. To change it:

1. On the iPhone, go to Settings > Photos.
2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Keep Originals under the “Transfer to Mac or PC” section (this forces full-resolution transfer and often resolves compatibility issues).
3. Unplug and replug the cable, then unlock the phone.
4. If the trust prompt appears, tap Trust.

Alternatively, on the iPhone’s lock screen, tap the “Allow” button when it says “This accessory may not be supported” or similar.

Step 3: Update or Reinstall the Apple USB Driver

Windows 10 sometimes installs a generic driver that doesn’t properly recognize iPhones. To fix:

1. Open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select it).
2. Expand Portable Devices or Universal Serial Bus controllers.
3. Look for “Apple iPhone” or “Apple Mobile Device USB Driver.” If you see a yellow exclamation mark, right-click it and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers. If Windows can’t find one, download the latest iTunes from Apple’s website and install it—this installs the required drivers even if you don’t use iTunes.

If the driver is already up to date, uninstall it (right-click > Uninstall device) and then restart the PC. Windows will reinstall it on the next connection.

Step 4: Reset the Photos App Cache

A corrupted cache can make the Photos app hang or show no import option. To reset it:

1. Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
2. Find Microsoft Photos, click it, and select Advanced options.
3. Click Reset (this clears the app’s data and cache).
4. Reopen the Photos app and try importing again.

This does not delete your photos—it only resets the app’s settings and temporary files.

Step 5: Use the File Explorer Method as a Fallback

If the Photos app still fails, you can import using File Explorer directly:

1. Connect the iPhone and unlock it.
2. Open File Explorer and look under This PC for your iPhone (it appears as a portable device).
3. Double-click it, then open the DCIM folder. Your photos are inside subfolders like 100APPLE.
4. Copy the folders to your PC manually, or select all and drag them to a folder on your desktop.

This method bypasses the Photos app entirely and often works when the app’s import function is broken.

Step 6: Check for Windows and App Updates

Outdated Windows 10 versions can have USB compatibility issues with newer iPhone models. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install all pending updates. Also, open the Microsoft Store and update the Photos app to the latest version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPhone show up in File Explorer but not in the Photos app?

This usually means the iPhone is recognized by Windows, but the Photos app’s import service is having trouble. Try the cache reset (Step 4) or use the File Explorer method to copy photos manually.

Do I need iTunes to import photos from iPhone to Windows 10?

No, you don’t need iTunes for basic photo import. Windows 10 has built-in support for iPhone via the PTP protocol. However, installing iTunes can help if the USB driver is missing, as it installs the Apple Mobile Device driver.

Why does the Photos app say “No new items found” when I have photos on my iPhone?

This happens when the iPhone is set to transfer photos as “Automatic” (HEIC format) and Windows can’t read them. Change the transfer setting to “Keep Originals” on your iPhone (Settings > Photos) to ensure compatibility.

Can I import Live Photos and videos with the Photos app?

Yes, the Photos app imports both Live Photos (as still images plus a video file) and videos. However, if you want to preserve the Live Photo effect, it’s better to use iCloud or AirDrop to a Mac.

What if my iPhone is not detected at all on Windows 10?

First, try a different USB port and cable. Then, check Device Manager for any unrecognized devices. If you see “Unknown USB Device,” uninstall it and restart. If the issue persists, install the latest iTunes to get the proper drivers.

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