Transfer Videos from iPhone to Computer

TL;DR

• AirDrop, email & cloud links often fail with large or 4K videos
• USB transfer keeps full quality on Mac & Windows
• WALTR PRO helps when formats or file sizes cause problems

Trying to transfer videos from iPhone to computer sounds simple, but it rarely is. Large files, 4K recordings & format limits often lead to failed transfers or lower quality.

Why transferring iPhone videos is harder than it looks

iPhones record high quality video by default. A few minutes of 4K footage can take several gigabytes, which breaks many common transfer methods.

Wireless tools often compress files. Cloud services add storage limits. Email fails almost instantly.

The result is retries, missing files, or videos that look worse than the original.

If you also deal with photos, this article on transferring photos from iOS to computer explains the same issue in detail.

Wired ways to transfer videos from iPhone

Using File Explorer on Windows

On Windows, the most direct method is a USB cable and File Explorer.

Connect your iPhone, unlock it, and tap Trust when asked. Open This PC, select your iPhone, then open the DCIMfolder.

From there, you can copy video files directly to your computer.

If iCloud Photos is set to Optimize Storage, some videos may not be stored locally. Switch to Download and Keep Originals before transferring.

For Windows users who want a deeper walkthrough, this article explains how to transfer files from iPhone to PC.

Using Finder or Image Capture on Mac

On macOS, Apple’s built-in tools work better.

Connect your iPhone with a cable, approve the connection, then open Photos or Image Capture.

Photos imports videos into your library. Image Capture lets you choose a folder and skip the Photos app completely.

Both methods keep original quality and work well for large files.

What most people get wrong when moving iPhone videos

First mistake is relying on AirDrop for long or 4K videos. It works until it doesn’t, especially if the connection drops.

Second mistake is using cloud links and assuming quality stays the same. Many services compress video or replace originals with optimized versions.

Third mistake is forgetting about format support. Some videos copied to a computer won’t play without conversion.

This is common with formats like MKV or WMV. These articles explain how playback works on iPhone.

A better alternative

You only need:

• a Mac
• an iPhone or iPad
• a USB or USB-C cable for the first connection

That’s it.

Download WALTR PRO

Step 1, connect your iPhone once

Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a cable or Wi-Fi. Unlock your iPhone and tap Trust if you see the prompt.

Open WALTR PRO. Your device should appear in the app.

Step 2, drag and drop your files

Drag files from Finder into the WALTR PRO window.

Common examples:

• MKV or AVI videos
• MP4 or MOV files
• music albums
• PDF or EPUB files

WALTR PRO converts formats when needed and sends the result to the right iPhone app.

If you also transfer music, this article explains how to move music from computer to iPhone.

Step 3, check where the file landed

Open the related iPhone app:

• TV app for videos
• Music app for songs
• Books app for books
• Settings for ringtones

If you dropped multiple items, they appear like normal content.

Step 4, edit metadata manually or with AI

WALTR PRO also lets you edit metadata manually or with AI. This helps keep your library organized and easy to browse.

Key takeaways

• USB transfers keep original video quality
• Built-in tools work but need manual steps
• Large or unusual formats cause most issues
• WALTR PRO helps when transfers become frequent

FAQs