top of page
  • flitenlisora

Save iPhone Photos to an External Drive in a Few Steps



How to Download Photos from iPhone to External Hard Drive




If you have an iPhone, you probably take a lot of photos and videos with it. But what if you want to back up your precious memories or free up some space on your device? One way is to download your photos and videos from your iPhone to an external hard drive. This way, you can keep your files safe, organized, and accessible on any computer.


But how do you download photos from iPhone to external hard drive? There are different ways to do it, depending on what you have and what you prefer. In this article, we will show you four methods that you can use to transfer your photos and videos from your iPhone to an external hard drive. We will also compare the pros and cons of each method, so you can choose the best one for your needs.




download photos from iphone to external hard drive




Method 1: Copy and Paste Photos Using File Explorer




One of the simplest ways to download photos from iPhone to external hard drive is to copy and paste them using File Explorer. This method works for Windows PC users who have a USB cable and an external hard drive. Here are the steps to follow:


  • Connect your iPhone to your PC with a USB cable. If asked, unlock your iPhone using your passcode. If you see a prompt on your iPhone asking you to Trust This Computer, tap Trust or Allow.



  • Connect your external hard drive to your PC with another USB cable.



  • Open File Explorer on your PC and click on This PC in the left sidebar. You should see your iPhone and your external hard drive listed under Devices and drives.



  • Double-click on your iPhone icon and open the DCIM folder. You should see one or more folders with names like 100APPLE, 101APPLE, etc. These folders contain your photos and videos.



  • Select the folders or files that you want to copy and paste them to your external hard drive. You can also drag and drop them if you prefer.



  • Wait for the process to finish, then disconnect your devices safely.



The pros of this method are:


  • It is easy and fast.



  • It does not require any additional software or internet connection.



  • It preserves the original quality and metadata of your files.



The cons of this method are:


  • It does not support selective transfer. You have to copy all the files in a folder or select them manually.



  • It does not sync your files automatically. You have to repeat the process every time you want to update your backup.

Method 2: Use iCloud to Download Photos from the Web or the iCloud Client




Another way to download photos from iPhone to external hard drive is to use iCloud. iCloud is a cloud service that lets you store and access your files online. You can use iCloud to sync your photos and videos from your iPhone to your iCloud account, and then download them to your external hard drive from the web or the iCloud client. This method works for both Windows and Mac users who have an internet connection and an iCloud account. Here are the steps to follow:


  • On your iPhone, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos and turn on iCloud Photos. This will upload your photos and videos to your iCloud account automatically.



  • On your computer, connect your external hard drive with a USB cable.



  • There are two ways to download your photos and videos from iCloud to your external hard drive:



  • Option 1: Download them from the web. Open a browser and go to . Sign in with your Apple ID and password. Select the photos and videos that you want to download and click on the Download icon at the top right corner. Choose a location on your external hard drive to save them.



  • Option 2: Download them from the iCloud client. Download and install the iCloud client for Windows or Mac from . Sign in with your Apple ID and password. Check the box next to Photos and click on Options. Choose Download new photos and videos to my PC or Mac and select a folder on your external hard drive as the destination. Click on Done and Apply. The iCloud client will download your photos and videos to your external hard drive automatically.



  • Wait for the process to finish, then disconnect your devices safely.



The pros of this method are:


  • It supports selective transfer. You can choose which photos and videos you want to download.



  • It syncs your files automatically. You don't have to repeat the process every time you want to update your backup.



  • It works for both Windows and Mac users.



The cons of this method are:


  • It requires an internet connection and an iCloud account.



  • It may take a long time to upload and download your files, depending on your internet speed and file size.



  • It may reduce the quality and metadata of your files, depending on your iCloud settings.



Method 3: Use Google Drive to Upload Photos from iPhone and Download Them on Computer




A third way to download photos from iPhone to external hard drive is to use Google Drive. Google Drive is another cloud service that lets you store and access your files online. You can use Google Drive to upload your photos and videos from your iPhone to your Google account, and then download them to your external hard drive from the web or the Google Drive client. This method works for both Windows and Mac users who have an internet connection and a Google account. Here are the steps to follow:


  • On your iPhone, download and install the Google Drive app from the App Store. Sign in with your Google account.



  • On the Google Drive app, tap on the Plus icon at the bottom right corner and select Upload. Choose Photos and Videos and select the photos and videos that you want to upload. Tap on Upload.



  • On your computer, connect your external hard drive with a USB cable.



  • There are two ways to download your photos and videos from Google Drive to your external hard drive:



  • Option 1: Download them from the web. Open a browser and go to . Sign in with your Google account. Select the photos and videos that you want to download and click on the More actions icon (three vertical dots) at the top right corner. Choose Download. Choose a location on your external hard drive to save them.



  • Option 2: Download them from the Google Drive client. Download and install the Google Drive client for Windows or Mac from . Sign in with your Google account. Check the box next to Sync My Drive to this computer and select a folder on your external hard drive as the destination. Click on Start. The Google Drive client will download your photos and videos to your external hard drive automatically.



  • Wait for the process to finish, then disconnect your devices safely.



The pros of this method are:


How to transfer pictures from iphone to external hard drive


Backup iphone photos to external hard drive using itunes


Best external hard drive for storing iphone photos


Download photos from iphone to external hard drive on mac


Transfer photos from iphone to external hard drive without computer


Download photos from iphone to external hard drive on windows 10


Copy photos from iphone to external hard drive using icloud


Download photos from iphone to external hard drive wirelessly


Transfer photos from iphone to external hard drive with usb cable


Download photos from iphone to external hard drive automatically


How to move pictures from iphone to external hard drive


Backup iphone photos to external hard drive using finder


Best external hard drive for backing up iphone photos


Download photos from iphone to external hard drive on pc


Transfer photos from iphone to external hard drive without itunes


Download photos from iphone to external hard drive on windows 7


Copy photos from iphone to external hard drive using airdrop


Download photos from iphone to external hard drive via wifi


Transfer photos from iphone to external hard drive with adapter


Download photos from iphone to external hard drive manually


How to sync pictures from iphone to external hard drive


Backup iphone photos to external hard drive using third-party software


Best external hard drive for transferring iphone photos


Download photos from iphone to external hard drive on linux


Transfer photos from iphone to external hard drive without icloud


Download photos from iphone to external hard drive on windows 8


Copy photos from iphone to external hard drive using bluetooth


Download photos from iphone to external hard drive over the internet


Transfer photos from iphone to external hard drive with docking station


Download photos from iphone to external hard drive in bulk


  • It supports selective transfer. You can choose which photos and videos you want to upload and download.



  • It syncs your files automatically. You don't have to repeat the process every time you want to update your backup.



  • It works for both Windows and Mac users.



The cons of this method are:


  • It requires an internet connection and a Google account.



  • It may take a long time to upload and download your files, depending on your internet speed and file size.



  • It may reduce the quality and metadata of your files, depending on your Google Drive settings.



Method 4: Use a Professional iOS Data Transfer Tool like FoneTool




The last way to download photos from iPhone to external hard drive is to use a professional iOS data transfer tool like FoneTool. FoneTool is a powerful and easy-to-use software that lets you transfer photos and videos from your iPhone to your external hard drive directly via USB connection. You don't need to use iTunes, iCloud, or any other cloud service. This method works for both Windows and Mac users who have a USB cable and an external hard drive. Here are the steps to follow:


  • Download and install FoneTool for Windows or Mac from .



  • Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable. If asked, unlock your iPhone using your passcode. If you see a prompt on your iPhone asking you to Trust This Computer, tap Trust or Allow.



  • Connect your external hard drive to your computer with another USB cable.



  • Launch FoneTool on your computer and select Phone Manager from the main interface.



  • Select Photos from the left sidebar and choose the photos and videos that you want to transfer. You can also select Albums to transfer all the photos and videos in a specific album.



  • Click on the Export icon at the top menu bar and select Export to PC or Mac. Choose your external hard drive as the destination and click on OK.



  • Wait for the process to finish, then disconnect your devices safely.



The pros of this method are:


  • It supports selective transfer. You can choose which photos and videos you want to transfer.



  • It does not require any internet connection or cloud account.



  • It preserves the original quality and metadata of your files.



  • It works for both Windows and Mac users.



The cons of this method are:


  • It requires a paid license to use all the features.



  • It may not be compatible with some older iOS devices or versions.



Conclusion




In this article, we have shown you four methods that you can use to download photos from iPhone to external hard drive. Each method has its own pros and cons, so you can choose the one that suits your needs best. Here is a summary table of the four methods:



MethodProsCons


Copy and Paste Photos Using File Explorer- Easy and fast- No additional software or internet required- Preserves original quality and metadata- No selective transfer- No automatic sync


Use iCloud to Download Photos from the Web or the iCloud Client- Selective transfer- Automatic sync- Works for both Windows and Mac users- Requires internet connection and iCloud account- May take a long time to upload and download- May reduce quality and metadata


Use Google Drive to Upload Photos from iPhone and Download Them on Computer- Selective transfer- Automatic sync- Works for both Windows and Mac users- Requires internet connection and Google account- May take a long time to upload and download- May reduce quality and metadata


Use FoneTool to Save Photos from iPhone to External Hard Drive Directly via USB Connection- Selective transfer- No internet or cloud required- Preserves original quality and metadata- Works for both Windows and Mac users- Requires paid license- May not be compatible with some older iOS devices or versions


In our opinion, the best method for downloading photos from iPhone to external hard drive is Method 4: Use FoneTool. This method is fast, easy, reliable, and does not compromise the quality or metadata of your files. It also does not depend on any internet connection or cloud account, which makes it more secure and convenient. You can try FoneTool for free by downloading it from .


FAQs




How do I transfer photos from iPhone to external hard drive on Mac?




If you have a Mac, you can use Method 2: Use iCloud to Download Photos from the Web or the iCloud Client, Method 3: Use Google Drive to Upload Photos from iPhone and Download Them on Computer, or Method 4 : Use FoneTool to Save Photos from iPhone to External Hard Drive Directly via USB Connection. These methods are similar to the ones for Windows PC users, except that you need to use the Mac version of the iCloud client, Google Drive client, or FoneTool. You can also use Method 1: Copy and Paste Photos Using File Explorer, but you need to use the Finder app instead of File Explorer on your Mac.


How do I transfer photos from iPhone to external hard drive without a computer?




If you don't have a computer, you can still transfer photos from iPhone to external hard drive using a wireless hard drive or a lightning to USB adapter. A wireless hard drive is a portable device that can connect to your iPhone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and store your files. A lightning to USB adapter is a small accessory that can connect your iPhone to your external hard drive via a USB cable. Here are the steps to follow:


  • For a wireless hard drive, download and install the app that comes with your device on your iPhone. For a lightning to USB adapter, plug it into your iPhone and connect it to your external hard drive with a USB cable.



  • On your iPhone, open the Photos app and select the photos and videos that you want to transfer.



  • Tap on the Share icon at the bottom left corner and choose your wireless hard drive or your lightning to USB adapter as the destination.



  • Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the transfer.



The pros of this method are:


  • It does not require a computer.



  • It supports selective transfer.



  • It preserves the original quality and metadata of your files.



The cons of this method are:


  • It requires a wireless hard drive or a lightning to USB adapter, which may be expensive or hard to find.



  • It may not be compatible with some external hard drives or iOS devices or versions.



  • It may take a long time to transfer your files, depending on your wireless connection or USB speed.



How do I transfer photos from iPhone to external hard drive using iTunes?




You can also transfer photos from iPhone to external hard drive using iTunes, but this method is not recommended. iTunes is a software that lets you sync and manage your iOS devices on your computer. However, iTunes does not allow you to directly transfer photos from iPhone to external hard drive. Instead, it only lets you backup your entire iPhone data, including photos, to your computer or iCloud. You cannot access or view the individual files in the backup, unless you restore them to another iOS device. Here are the steps to follow:


  • Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable. If asked, unlock your iPhone using your passcode. If you see a prompt on your iPhone asking you to Trust This Computer, tap Trust or Allow.



  • Connect your external hard drive to your computer with another USB cable.



  • Open iTunes on your computer and click on the Device icon at the top left corner. Select your iPhone from the list of devices.



  • Click on Summary in the left sidebar and check the box next to This computer under Backups. Click on Back Up Now.



  • Wait for the backup process to finish, then go to Edit > Preferences > Devices. You should see your backup listed under Device backups. Right-click on it and choose Show in Windows Explorer or Show in Finder.



  • You should see a folder with a long name that contains random letters and numbers. This is your backup folder. Copy and paste it to your external hard drive.



The pros of this method are:


  • It backs up all your iPhone data, including photos, in case of data loss or damage.



  • It does not require any internet connection or cloud account.



The cons of this method are:


  • It does not allow you to directly transfer photos from iPhone to external hard drive.



  • It does not support selective transfer or automatic sync.



  • It may take a long time and a lot of space to backup your entire iPhone data.



  • It may not preserve the original quality and metadata of your files.



How do I transfer photos from iPhone to external hard drive wirelessly?




If you want to transfer photos from iPhone to external hard drive wirelessly, you can use Method 2: Use iCloud to Download Photos from the Web or the iCloud Client or Method 3: Use Google Drive to Upload Photos from iPhone and Download Them on Computer. These methods let you upload your photos and videos from your iPhone to iCloud or Google Drive and then download them to your external hard drive from the web or the cloud client. These methods work for both Windows and Mac users who have an internet connection and a cloud account. However, they may take a long time to upload and download your files, depending on your internet speed and file size. They may also reduce the quality and metadata of your files, depending on your cloud settings.


How do I transfer photos from iPhone to external hard drive without losing quality?




If you want to transfer photos from iPhone to external hard drive without losing quality, you can use Method 1: Copy and Paste Photos Using File Explorer or Method 4: Use FoneTool to Save Photos from iPhone to External Hard Drive Directly via USB Connection. These methods let you transfer your photos and videos from your iPhone to your external hard drive directly via USB connection. They do not require any internet connection or cloud account. They preserve the original quality and metadata of your files. 44f88ac181


0 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page