How to copy photos from an iPhone to a Mac
PicFrom for iPhone works together with PicFrom on your Mac. It copies the original photos and videos from your iPhone to the Mac over your home Wi‑Fi and deletes nothing from the phone.
Came here from the code on your Mac? Install the app, then go back to the Mac and click Installed — Next.
What the iPhone app is for
The iPhone app doesn't keep an archive of its own. The archive lives on the Mac or on a drive connected to it, and the app sends photos there, so you need PicFrom on the Mac too. It helps when some photos live only on the phone: iCloud Photos is off, iCloud storage ran out, or it's a family member's iPhone with a different Apple ID.
What you'll need
- An iPhone with iOS 16 or later and the PicFrom app.
- A Mac with Apple Silicon, macOS 14 or later and PicFrom for Mac.
- Both on the same Wi‑Fi network. The Mac can also be plugged into the same router by cable.
How to copy your photos
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On the Mac
Open PicFrom and click Transfer from Phone.
The first time, choose a folder for your archives. It can be on an external drive.
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On the iPhone
Point the Camera at the code on the Mac and install PicFrom.
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On the Mac
Click Installed — Next.
If macOS asks about the local network, allow it.
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On the iPhone
Open PicFrom and allow access to your photos.
With limited access, PicFrom sends only the photos you picked.
Tap Get Started 
Tap Allow 
Tap Allow Full Access -
On the iPhone
Scan the code on the Mac and send your photos.
The Camera app won't open this code. If the iPhone asks about the local network, tap Allow.
Tap Scan Code 
Point it at the code on the Mac 
Tap Send All Photos
While PicFrom is copying
Keep the iPhone on the charger, with PicFrom open and the screen on. The transfer only runs while the app is on screen, and PicFrom can dim the screen for you. The Mac stays awake while it receives.
Photos already in the archive are skipped. If the iPhone uses the same Apple ID as the Mac, its photos join the iCloud archive. If the connection drops, the iPhone carries on by itself once it's back. If you stop, everything already saved stays in the archive, and the next transfer sends only what's missing.
Next time
The Mac remembers your iPhone, so you won't need the code again.
If the iPhone can't find the Mac
- Check that both are on the same Wi‑Fi. Mobile data won't work, and guest networks often keep devices apart.
- On the iPhone, open Settings → PicFrom and turn on Local Network.
- On the Mac, open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network and turn on PicFrom.
- If the Mac is saving photos from iCloud, wait until it finishes, then click Transfer from Phone.
- If that doesn't help, tap Scan Code Again on the iPhone and scan the code the Mac shows now.
- Write to us on Telegram or by email, and we'll help.
Privacy
Photos go straight from the iPhone to your Mac over your Wi‑Fi, with no cloud in between. PicFrom only reads your library. It never deletes or changes anything on the iPhone.