What Is the Easiest Way to Transfer Photos From iPhone to MacBook Air?

The simplest way to transfer photos from your iPhone to your MackBook is to make it automatic.

And once its set up, the shared library will update itself with every new photo.

The iPhone Storage item in the iPhone Settings app.

iCloud synching has its limitations.

In order for syncing to work, you need toconnect your iPhone to your MacBook.

Open your iPhonesSettingsmenu, then scroll down and tap onGeneral.

Two ways, highlighted, to enable iCloud Photos on an iPhone.

FromGeneral, tap oniPhone Storage.

Find theiCloud Photosmenu option and tap Enable, then tapEnable iCloud Photosto confirm.

Or you’re free to go intoSettings > Photos, then toggleiCloud Photoson.

The Photos app Preferences menu item highlighted on a Mac.

On your MackBook, open thePhotosapp.

Click theiCloudtab, then choose the check box next toiCloud Photosto enable synching.

Now any photos you take with your iPhone will appear in your Photos app library on your MacBook automatically.

The iCloud Photos setting in the Photos app on a Mac.

How Do I Import Photos to My MacBook Air?

The second easiest way to transfer photos between your iPhone and MacBook is via AirDrop.

Open your iPhonesPhotosapp, then launch the photo album you want to transfer photos over from.

Selecting photos and sharing them in the Photos app on an iPhone.

From theSharemenu tapAirDrop, then snag the machine you want to transfer the photos to.

Once the process is finished, the transferred photos should appear in your MacBooksDownloadsfolder.

How Else Can I Import Photos to My MacBook Air?

AirDrop in action sending photos from the Photos app on an iPhone.

You may need to unlock your iPhone for a full-access connection.

Open thePhotosapp on your MacBook and clickiPhoneunder theDevicessection of the sidebar.

Or if you want to transfer everything, click ImportAll New Items.

Connect iPhone to MacBook

The imported photos will now appear under both theImportscategory and yourLibrary.

Why Cant I Transfer Photos From iPhone to MacBook?

There are a few reasons you may have trouble with photo transfers.

Where to find your connected iPhone in the Photos app on a Mac.

If youre using AirDrop, double-check options for both your iPhone and MacBook are set to eitherContacts OnlyorEveryone.

If Contacts Only isnt working, Everyone should.

If it still refuses to work try toggling between both options once or twice or restarting both devices.

Selecting and importing photos interface highlighted in the Photos app on a Mac.

If that doesnt work, try restarting one or both devices.

If iCloud synching isnt working, you might have the option turned off for one or both devices.

Go back into their respective menus to double-check.

Photos Library

Otherwise, you’re able to send images using online options or a data cable.

AirDrop settings on a Mac. Items to try are highlighted.