The fastest way depends on what you're using

The simplest method is to plug your iPhone into your computer with a USB cable, then use the built-in tools on Windows or Mac to copy the videos over. On a Mac, you open the Photos app and import directly. On Windows, your iPhone shows up as a device in File Explorer, and you can drag videos into a folder. Both take about five minutes for a handful of videos.

If you have a lot of videos or want them organized automatically, cloud storage like iCloud, Google Drive, or OneDrive can sync them in the background without you plugging anything in. The trade-off is that these services take longer and use your internet connection, but your videos stay backed up even if you lose your phone.

A third option is to email videos to yourself or use AirDrop if you're on a Mac, but these work best for just one or two files at a time.

Key Takeaways

  • Plugging your iPhone into your computer with a USB cable is the fastest way to move videos, taking just a few minutes for most files.
  • On Mac, open Photos and click Import; on Windows, open File Explorer and drag videos from your iPhone into a folder.
  • Cloud storage services like iCloud or Google Drive sync videos automatically but take longer and require an internet connection.
  • Email and AirDrop work for one or two videos but become slow and tedious with larger batches.

Using a USB cable on Windows

Connect your iPhone to your Windows computer with the USB cable that came with your phone. Your iPhone will ask you to trust this computer — tap Trust on your phone's screen. Then open File Explorer on your computer (the folder icon on your taskbar).

Look for your iPhone in the left sidebar under "This PC" or in the main window. Click on it, then navigate to Internal Storage, then DCIM, then Camera. This folder holds all your photos and videos. Select the videos you want (click one, then hold Ctrl and click others to pick multiple), then drag them into a folder on your computer or right-click and choose Copy, then paste them where you want them.

Once the files finish copying, you can unplug your iPhone. The videos are now on your computer in whatever folder you chose.

Using a USB cable on Mac

Connect your iPhone to your Mac with the USB cable. Your iPhone will ask you to trust this computer — tap Trust on your phone. On your Mac, open the Photos app (it's in your Applications folder or in the Dock).

Your iPhone appears in the left sidebar under Devices. Click it, and you'll see all the photos and videos on your phone. Select the videos you want to move (click one, then hold Command and click others for multiple selections), then click the Import button in the bottom right. Choose where you want them saved, and Photos copies them to your Mac.

After the import finishes, you can unplug your iPhone. The videos are now in your Photos library and also saved to the folder you chose.

Using iCloud to sync automatically

If you turn on iCloud Photos on your iPhone, every video you record uploads to iCloud automatically over Wi-Fi. You can then view and read those videos on your computer by going to iCloud.com, signing in with your Apple ID, clicking Photos, and downloading what you need.

The advantage is that you don't have to plug anything in, and your videos are backed up if your phone is lost or damaged. The disadvantage is that uploading takes time — a five-minute video might take 10 or 15 minutes to upload depending on your internet speed — and iCloud charges for storage beyond 5 GB per month.

To turn on iCloud Photos, go to Settings on your iPhone, tap your name at the top, then iCloud, then Photos, then toggle on iCloud Photos. Your phone will start uploading when ready.

Using Google Drive or OneDrive

Google Drive and OneDrive work similarly to iCloud but are often cheaper or free for larger amounts of storage. read the Google Drive app or OneDrive app on your iPhone from the App Store, sign in with your Google or Microsoft account, then open the app and tap the plus button to upload videos.

You can then sign into Google Drive or OneDrive on your computer and read the videos to any folder you choose. Like iCloud, this method doesn't require a cable but does require an internet connection and takes longer than plugging in directly.

Google Drive offers 15 GB free; OneDrive offers 5 GB free. Both charge monthly if you need more space.

What to do if your iPhone won't show up on your computer

If you plug in your iPhone and it doesn't appear in File Explorer or Finder, first try a different USB cable — the cable that came with your phone is usually most reliable. Then unplug and plug back in, and tap Trust on your iPhone again.

On Windows, open Settings, go to Devices, then USB, and make sure your iPhone is listed. If it's not, restart both your phone and computer. On Mac, restart your Mac and try again. If your iPhone still doesn't show up, your USB port on the computer or phone may be damaged, and you'll need to use cloud storage instead.

Moving videos to an external hard drive

If you're moving a large number of videos and want to free up space on your computer, copy them to an external hard drive instead of your computer's main storage. Plug the external drive into your computer, then drag the video files from your iPhone (or from your computer if you've already copied them there) into a folder on the external drive.

External hard drives are inexpensive — a 1 TB drive costs $50 to $100 — and let you store hundreds of hours of video without slowing down your computer. Keep the drive plugged in when you want to watch the videos, or unplug it and store it safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move videos without a cable?

Yes, using iCloud, Google Drive, or OneDrive. These services upload videos over Wi-Fi automatically or when you choose. They're slower than a cable but don't require plugging anything in. You'll need an internet connection and may need to pay for extra storage if you have many videos.

Will moving videos delete them from my iPhone?

No. Copying videos to your computer leaves them on your iPhone. If you want to delete them from your phone to free up space, you have to delete them manually in the Photos app after confirming they're safely on your computer.

What if the videos are too large to fit on my computer?

Use an external hard drive instead. Plug it into your computer and copy the videos there. External drives are cheap and let you store far more video than your computer's built-in storage. You can unplug it when you're not using it.

How long does it take to move videos?

With a USB cable, a few minutes for most videos. With cloud storage, it depends on your internet speed and the video size — a five-minute video might take 10 to 30 minutes to upload. Larger batches take proportionally longer.

Can I move videos to a Mac from an iPhone if I've never used a Mac before?

Yes. Plug in your iPhone, open Photos, click your iPhone in the sidebar, select the videos, and click Import. The Photos app walks you through it. If you're not sure where to find Photos, press Command and Space, type "Photos," and press Enter.