8 Ways to Transfer iPhone Photos to MacBook Pro/Air/iMac

When you need to upgrade iPhone iOS 15 to iOS 16, swtich to the new iPhone 13/14, or free up more space on iPhone, you will want to download photos from iPhone to MacBook Pro, iMac, MacBook Air, etc. Frankly, there are several solutions to transfer photos from iPhone to Mac and the majority of them claim to be damn easy. Yet, the general ways like iTunes turn out to cost you large amounts of time in batch (4K) photo transfer, alongside with oodles of iTunes errors, including iPhone won't sync with iTunes, iTunes couldn't connect to iPhone, iTunes library disappeared, etc.

In such case, iTunes alternatives for iPhone picture sync are seemingly in higher demand. In response to the user need, here we select 8 fast alternatives to iTunes to import photos from iPhone to Mac without iTunes errors.

Bulk Export iPhone Photos to Mac at the fastest Speed

MacX MediaTrans - best iTunes alternative to transfer photos between iPhone 13/14 and Mac (Ventura) in case of software update or switching to new iPhone. You are allowed to bulk delete photos from iPhone to free up space and convert heic to jpg. Sync iOS music, ringtones, audiobooks, video and even iTunes purchases to Mac no data loss, without iTunes.

Part 1. Transfer Photos from iPhone to MacBook iMac with MacX MediaTrans

World's No.1 fast speed, versatility and ease of use earn MacX MediaTrans the top tier in this iOS photo transfer review. It's able to export pictures from iPhone to MacBook, iMac, iMac Pro or vice versa at world's fastest speed, 100 4K photos only 8 seconds, thanks to its advanced GPU HW acceleration tech supports. It can do more:

Below are the simple steps to move iPhone photos to Mac computer with this program.

Step 1. Free Download MacX MediaTrans

Free download this iPhone manager on Mac and then fire it up. Next, connect your iOS iPhone 14/13/12 to Macbook Pro/Air, iMac, Mac Mini or iMac Pro.

Note: there will pop up a window to advise you to properly set iTunes lest your iOS device data gets lost. So please follow the prompts to set iTunes first.

Step 2. Export all or selected photos

Click "Photo" icon to get the photos from iPhone Camera Roll. Choose the photos you wanna sync and then move it to your Mac (directly drag-drop supported).

Step 3. Export Photos from iPhone to MacBook iMac Now

Then the photos and albums will be saved on the computer. You can transfer as many photos as you want in one click.

When you export photos from iPhone to Mac, the software also enables you to export and convert HEIC to JPG format on Mac or export HEIC photos without changing picture format.

Part 2. Transfer Pictures from iPhone to Mac with AirDrop

The second recommended way is to take full advantage of AirDrop. To use AirDrop, the preparation jobs include:

After all the preparation work is done, then you can enter to the point: start to sync photos from iPhone to Mac now.

Step 1. Access to the camera roll on your iPhone and choose the pictures you wanna export.

Step 2. When "Tap to share with AirDrop" appears, tap the MacBook Pro/Air or iMac icon below.

Step 3. If everything goes well, then AirDrop is now to transfer photos from iPhone to computer Mac.

Part 3. Export Photos from iPhone to Mac Using iPhoto

iPhoto is warmly welcomed by tons of fans because it can import iPhone photos to Mac computer, organize, edit, print and even share digital photos on macOS. And if you buy your Macintosh personal computer that is released between 2002 to 2015 and don't upgrade macOS to high version than Yosemite, then the iPhoto app bulit-in on your Mac can be used. As for the later produced macOS computers with Yosemite or higher OS, they're not equipped with iPhoto, Photo app instead. So to use iPhoto to sync photos from iPhone to MacBook, iMac, you need to check your Mac computer first and then continue.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your MacBook Pro/Air or iMac using the original iPhone USB cable.

Step 2. iPhoto app will automatically open on your macOS.

Step 3. Click on your iPhone device under "DEVICES" section at the left ride of the interface.

Step 4. Tick the photos you wanna import to your Mac. Followed by a hit to "Import Selected". Or just press "Import New" if you have the demand to copy all iPhone photos to MacBook Pro/Air, iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro, etc.

Note: as you can see, there is also a "Delete items" option at the top of the interface, via which you're allowed to bulk delete photos from iPhone.

Part 4. Sync Photos from iPhone to Mac Using Image Capture

To compare Image Capture with iPhoto, you will find that actually the original purposes between these two Apple designed photo applications are different. iPhoto is mainly to import, edit and print photos while Image Capture focuses on uploading photos from digital cameras, scanners and iOS iPhone iPad. Of course, there is one secret of Image Capture Apple doesn't tell you is that it can still help you transfer pictures from iPhone to Mac. How to? Read on:

Step 1. Connect your old iPhone 13 or new iPhone 14/Pro Max to your macOS computer and fire up Image Capture.

Step 2. Select your iPhone or other iDevices from "DEVICES" section.

Step 3. Tap "Import To" on the bottom of the interface to choose a destination folder to save your pictures on Mac.

Step 4. Opt for the pictures one by one and click Import, or select "Import All" if you need to bulk backup iPhone camera roll to Mac.

Part 5. Download iPhone Photos to Mac Using iCloud

iCloud Photos keeps your photos up to date and available automatically on all of your Apple devices (iPhone iPad, Mac computer), on iCloud.com, and even your PC. When iCloud Photos is activated, you have no need to manually transfer photos between iPhone and MacBook iMac. iCloud always uploads and stores your original, full-resolution photos in HEIF, JPEG, RAW, PNG, GIF, TIFF formats. Yet, one thing you need to know is that your pictures are not duplicated in your iCloud backup. Therefore, you ought to keep backup copies of your library lest any edit or delete reflects on all of your Apple devices.

To bulk download copies of your iPhone photos from iCloud.com, check below:

Step 1. Log into iCloud.com on your Mac with your Apple ID > click Photos.

Step 2. Select the photos images you wanna download for backup on MacBook Pro/Air or iMac.

Step 3. Click and hold the download button at the top right corner of the window. If you wanna keep the original format and full resolution, choose Unmodified Original. Or select Most Compatible if your HEIF photos have problems in later image editing programs.

Step 4. Click Download option to download copies of your picture from iCloud to MacBook or iMac.

iCloud service is so convenient and simple to use, and why we recommend it in the minor place? Generally because iCloud free storage is so limited, only 5GB. Thus, you have to pay more to get expansive space, 50GB, 200GB and 2TB premium options. Beyond that, iCloud errors like photos not uploading to iCloud, iCloud backup couldn't be completed occur now and then. And you also need to guarantee a high-speed network connection for photos (esp. 4K) downloading in bulk.

Part 6. Export Photos from iPhone to MacBook iMac with WeChat

WeChat is a voice chatting app designed by Tecent for iOS iPhone iPad and Mac OS X users to free chat online. No exaggeration to say it's the most popular app in China now, no one of. Because it can do more things beyond your imagination. Among its many talents, super fast sharing and getting photos off iPhone to Mac is worth a mention.

It supports users to free copy photos from iPhone to Mac with 9 pictures per time after you log in your WeChat account on both iPhone and Mac. Followed by right-click "Save picture as" on Mac computer via WeChat dialog box. The iPhone photo transfer speed is comparatively fast as long as your network connection doesn't get stuck in traffic.

Part 7. Import Photos from iPhone to Mac with E-mail

If you don't have too many photos waiting to sync, just one or two photos, the fastest yet simplest way is to send photos from iPhone to Mac with E-mail.

First of all, enter your photo app and then select the photo you wanna sync from photo album. Next, click the "Share" icon at the left side of the bottom; tap "Mail" icon. Final step, fill in your E-mail address, title and then tap "Send" button. Well, now the iPhone photos to Mac transfer with E-mail is accomplished super fast. But if you want to organize iPhone photos meantime, emailing is not a good option, you can turn to an all-around picture manager for iPhone.

Part 8. Copy Photos from iPhone to MacBook iMac Pro with USB Cable

Last but not least, the last way is also the traditional way for downloading photos from iPhone to MacBook iMac without using iTunes. Connect your iPhone to your Mac computer via USB sync cable. By default, the Photos app on your Mac is set to open automatically once you plug your iPhone into your Mac. And then the photos app on your MacBook or iMac will present all the photos of your camera roll so that you can simply tick 'Import All New Photos' to copy photos from iPhone to Mac at once.

Alternatively, you can select the individual pictures, selfie or images to import and keep. After iPhone pictures backup to Mac, you will get more space on your iPhone for later picture capture.

Comparison Chart for Top 8 iTunes Alternatives

Still can't make your decision on which iPhone photo transfer tool to choose? Maybe the following side-by-side comparison table would help you determine the final pick.

You see, the above 8 ways are all available for transfer photos from iPhone to Mac. However, your option may be different according to your needs. For example, WinX is preferred for those who want to transfer all photos at fast speed and even convert HEIC to JPG. AirDrop, iPhoto, Image Capture are suitable for transferring specific photos at fast speed. iCloud depends more on WiFi connection. Email and Wechat both have size limit for photo transferring. USB cable offers a solid option for transferring photos, while you should always carry it.