How to Transfer Videos from iPhone to Mac - Quick & Easy

Got a bunch of videos on your iPhone that you need to transfer to your Mac? I’ve got two super quick and easy methods that I use every week. Let’s dive right in!

Why Efficient Video Transfer Matters

Transferring videos efficiently saves time and ensures you can quickly move on to the fun part—editing and sharing your content. I’m David Miller, broadcast director and video marketing coach, and today I’m sharing my go-to methods for seamless video transfer.

Method 1: AirDrop 🌐

AirDrop is the simplest and quickest way to move videos between your iPhone and Mac. Here’s how to set it up and use it:

Set Up AirDrop on Your Mac: 

1️⃣  Open the Control Center in the upper right corner of your screen.

2️⃣  Ensure AirDrop is turned on and select “Everyone.”

Set Up AirDrop on Your iPhone:

1️⃣  Swipe down from the top right corner to open the Control Center.

2️⃣  Hold down the Wi-Fi button until the AirDrop icon appears.

3️⃣  Select “Contacts Only” or “Everyone for 10 minutes.”

Transfer Your Videos:

1️⃣  Open the Photos app on your iPhone.

2️⃣  Click the select button in the upper right corner.

3️⃣  Touch each video you want to transfer.

4️⃣ Tap the share button at the bottom left.

5️⃣  Select your Mac from the AirDrop options.

Your videos will transfer wirelessly and show up in the Downloads folder on your Mac. It’s easy and quick, but what if AirDrop isn’t working or you want the videos in a different folder?

Method 2: Image Capture with a Cable 🔌

Sometimes, a good old-fashioned cable is the way to go. Here’s how to use Image Capture to transfer your videos:

Connect Your iPhone to Your Mac:

Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your Mac.

Open Image Capture:

Find and open the Image Capture application on your Mac.

Transfer Your Videos:

1️⃣  Your iPhone’s videos and images will appear in Image Capture.

2️⃣  Select the videos you want to transfer.

3️⃣  Drag them to any folder on your Mac.

Using Image Capture with a cable is reliable and allows you to choose exactly where your videos are saved.