Oct 30, 2019. Turn on Finder integration. If you’re on OSX 10.10 or higher, get sync status directly from Finder by enabling Finder overlays in Settings. First, click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your Mac Desktop and select System Preferences, then select Extensions in the top-level menu (shown in the 3rd row from the top). Toggle on the OneDrive Finder Integration to enable Finder overlays.

Whether you want to backup your iPhone files or you just simply want to view your images on Mac’s large screen, here you will learn how to transfer files from an iPhone over to a Mac using multiple ways.

iPhone Transfer Tips

Transfer from iPhone
Transfer To iPhone
Airdrop Tips

An iPhone is a great piece of device that can both create as well as store dozens of file types. It can store your photos, videos, documents, and many other types of files for you. Sometimes, you may need to transfer some of your iPhone files over to your Mac. There could be various reasons why you may want to do it.

Maybe you are running out of space on your iPhone and you want to transfer a few of your large files to your Mac. Or maybe you need to edit a PDF file available on your iPhone using your Mac. Regardless, the question is how do you transfer your files?

Well, there are multiple ways to transfer files from an iPhone to a Mac. You can use built-in options, official apps, and third-party apps to get your job done. The following shows all of those methods to help you do the task.

How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with iTunes

You are likely familiar with the iTunes app especially if you use it to create backups of your iPhone. In addition to letting you backup your files, the app lets you transfer files from your iPhone to your Mac as well.

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It needs utilizing the File Sharing option available in the app that lets you both copy files from iOS to Mac and Mac to iOS. The following is how you use it.

Step 1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on your Mac if you do not already have it.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch the iTunes app. When the app launches, find and click on the icon for your iPhone.

Step 3. A menu will appear in the left sidebar of the app. Find the option that says File Sharing and click on it to open it.

Access File Sharing in iTunes

Step 4. On the right-hand side panel, you will see the apps that are compatible with the File Sharing feature. Once you see your files, drag the file from the iTunes window and drop it onto a Finder window on your Mac.

Your chosen file or files will be copied from your iPhone to your Mac. You will find the file in your chosen directory on your Mac.

How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with iCloud

If you have a high-speed Internet connection, you can use the iCloud service for transferring files from your iPhone to your Mac. It utilizes the iCloud Drive feature that lets you share files across your Apple devices.

Step 1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app, tap on your name at the top, and select iCloud.

Access iCloud settings on the iPhone

Step 2. On the screen that follows, turn both Photos and iCloud Drive toggles to the ON position. It will enable both of these features on your device.

Step 3. On your Mac, click on the Apple logo at the top-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences. Then, find and click on the iCloud option.

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Step 4. Ensure the iCloud Drive and Photos options are check-marked.

Enable iCloud Drive on the Mac

You will see a new folder named iCloud Drive in your Finder. Any files that you put in iCloud Drive on your iPhone will be available in this folder on your Mac.

How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with AirDrop

AirDrop is the easiest way to transfer files from an iPhone to a Mac as all it requires you to do is connect both your devices to the same wireless network. As long as you meet this minimum requirement, you are good to transfer your files.

Step 1. Open a Finder window on your Mac, click on AirDrop in the left sidebar, and click on Turn On Bluetooth in the right-hand side pane.

Step 2. On your iPhone, select the files you want to transfer and tap on the share icon. Then, tap on AirDrop and select your Mac on the list.

Use AirDrop to transfer files on the iPhone

It will transfer your selected files from your iPhone to your Mac. These files will be available in the Downloads folder on your Mac.

How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with Cloud

iCloud is not the only cloud service you have available for iPhone to transfer your files. You can use various other cloud services as well such as Google Drive and Dropbox. Here we show you how to use Google Drive to share files from your iPhone to your Mac.

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Step 1. Download, install and launch the Google Drive app on your iPhone. Sign in to your Google account.

Step 2. Upload the files that you want to transfer to your Mac in the app on your iPhone.

Step 3. Install the Google Drive app on your Mac. It will add a new folder called Google Drive to the Finder. Open this folder and you will be able to access your iPhone files on your Mac.

Access the iPhone files on the Mac via Google Drive

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You can also use Dropbox in a similar way to transfer your files.

How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with AnyTrans

The methods described above should work just fine if you have plenty of time available. However, if you are short on time and you would like something easy and fast, you are better off using a third-party app to transfer your files.

Mac Move Files Command

AnyTrans is an excellent choice when it comes to transferring files from iOS-based devices to your computer. It lets you quickly select and send files from your iPhone to any of your computers.

The following shows how to use the app on your Mac.

Step 1. Download AnyTrans and install it on your machine.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to your Mac and launch the app. Click on More in the app to view more options available for you.

Step 3. Click on the File System option followed by the System in the left sidebar. It will let you view your iPhone files.

View iPhone files in AnyTrans

Move Mac Files To Pc

Step 4. Select the files you want to transfer to your Mac from the right-hand side pane. Then, click on the option that says To Computer at the top.

Step 5. You will see the following when your files are transferred.

Files successfully transferred from your iPhone to your Mac

AnyTrans really makes transferring files between iOS and other devices easier than any other method for you.

The Bottom Line

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to transfer files from your iPhone to a Mac, you have several options available to do the task as described in the above guide.

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Mac OS X do not support writing files into NTFS filesystems by default and you cannot copy files to external hard drive from mac. But Mac do support reading the NTFS drives and copying files from NTFS HDDs. Most of the Mac users don’t know this and will buy portable external hard disks to expand the storage space. If you bought one, don’t worry 3 solutions are for you.

Cannot copy files to external hard drive from mac ?

Solution 1. Format the Hard disk with ExFat file system (Windows and Mac will fully support it)

Solution 2. A Third party utility to support read and write operations on NTFS file system.

Solution 3. Using simple tweaks play on your Mac OS X.

1. Format the Hard disk with ExFat file system

If you go for the first solution, simply backup all the data and connect your external hard disk to your MAC and follow the steps

  1. Connect your Portable External Hard drive and open “Disk Utility”
  2. Select the External Disk on the left section, and click on the “ERASE” tab and format as ExFAT file system

2. Third party software for NTFS support on Mac

Cannot Move File Mac Download Mac

Second solution is a third party utility that adds NTFS drivers for Mac. Go for “Paragon NTFS for Mac” which is a paid software. Download and install it.

If you are using Seagate external hard disk, the download free copy of “Paragon NTFS” thats comes absolutely free and only works with Seagate branded portable hard disks. Download Paragon NTFS for Seagate made Portable Hard disks.

3. NTFS write support for MAC using simple OS X Tweaks

Its a bit skill oriented task, so follow it carefully and at your own risk.

First connect your NTFS Drive into the Mac and open “Terminal” application and run the below command to find the UUID of your External NTFS Hard Disk. (My NTFS HDD name is “TOSHIBA”, Edit with your own Mac HDD name)

diskutil info /Volumes/TOSHIBA grep UUID

Sample output:

Volume UUID: 45125EB1-E1C3-3D21-9484-32DE22FEF0

Now enable read/write support for the Hard drive (based on UUID) run the below command, edit with your own Disk Volume UUID. This command add read write attribute to the /etc/fstab

sudo echo “UUID=<UUID> none ntfs rw,auto,nobrowse” >> /etc/fstab

example:

sudo echo “UUID=45125EB1-E1C3-3D21-9484-32DE22FEF0 none ntfs rw,auto,nobrowse” >> /etc/fstab

Now you will be able to perform both read and write to that NTFS formatted Hard drive from that Mac. If you got another NTFS hard drive, Follow the steps again to find that HDD’s UUID and enale the rw/wr .