How to Transfer Files from PC to iPhone Using a USB Cable

Moving large files over Wi-Fi or cloud services can be slow or flaky. If you have a USB cable handy, direct transfer is usually the fastest and most dependable option. Below are the most common ways depending on your desktop OS — with quick tips so nothing goes wrong.

What you’ll need

Item	Why it matters
USB cable (Lightning or USB-C)	Use the original or a good quality cable to avoid disconnects during transfer.
Windows PC or Mac	Windows uses iTunes for file sharing; macOS uses Finder (Catalina or later).
Apps that support file sharing	Not all apps accept arbitrary files — apps like VLC, Documents, and some photo apps do.

Method A — Windows (use iTunes File Sharing)

This is the typical route on Windows. If you don’t have iTunes installed, download it from Apple and install it first.

1. Connect your iPhone to the PC with the USB cable. Unlock the iPhone and tap Trust if prompted.
2. Open iTunes and wait for the device icon to appear in the top-left area.
3. Click the device icon → choose File Sharing from the sidebar.
4. Select the app you want to transfer files to (for example, VLC or Documents).
5. Click Add File… (or drag files into the app’s file area) and pick the files on your PC.
6. Press Sync or wait for the transfer to finish. The files will appear inside the chosen app on your iPhone.

Note: If you need files to be available in the Photos app, import them to Photos on the iPhone via appropriate apps or use the Import workflows — file sharing writes into apps, not necessarily the system Photos library.

Method B — macOS (Finder, macOS Catalina and later)

macOS removed iTunes and moved device management into Finder.

1. Plug the iPhone into the Mac with the USB cable and unlock it.
2. Open Finder and click your iPhone in the sidebar under Locations.
3. Choose the Files tab. You’ll see apps that support file sharing.
4. Drag and drop files from your Mac into the app’s area in Finder. The files copy instantly.

Quick troubleshooting

• Device not appearing? Try another USB port, a different cable, or reboot both devices.
• Permission prompts — always unlock the iPhone and tap Trust when asked.
• Large file fails — check free space on the iPhone app and try smaller batches.

When file sharing isn’t enough

Sometimes you want files to land in the Photos app or be available system-wide — or you want a simpler drag-and-drop without installing iTunes. In that case a browser-based or app-based transfer can help. For example, ShareGo provides a quick, browser-first transfer flow for moving files between devices without drivers; visit sharego.io to see that option.

Visual summary

Here’s a quick visual checklist you can follow:

Recommended apps that accept files via USB

Many apps support file sharing in iTunes/Finder. A few commonly used ones:

• VLC — great for videos of many formats.
• Documents by Readdle — versatile file manager and viewer.
• FileBrowser — if you need network + local file management.

Final tips — faster, safer transfers

• Use a good USB cable and a direct USB port (avoid hubs for large transfers).
• Transfer in chunks for very large files to reduce the risk of a single failed copy.
• Keep your device unlocked during transfer and avoid heavy app usage on the phone until it finishes.

If you prefer a wireless route for routine transfers (no cables, QR-code pairing, and cross-platform support), check out the tools on our site or try the browser flow at ShareGo — it’s handy when you’re on the move.