Wi-Fi Transfer of Files Between a Windows PC and an iPhone

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Transferring files between a Windows PC and an iPhone is usually limited to the transfer of only image files from the iPhone to the Windows PC. To transfer other type of files and/or be able to transfer from the PC to the iPhone usually requires:

1) iTunes cloud storage and an added app to your Windows PC

OR

2) Third party software.

I don’t like either of those options so I use a third option which allows me to transfer many types of files between my Windows PC(s) and my iPhone using the Wi-Fi connection to my home network (LAN). My files are not transferred thru a cloud connection and/or I do not have to install an app to accomplish this.

Warning: This method decreases the security protection for the folder on the PC that the iPhone will connect to so anyone on your LAN will have access to this folder. This method should only be used in a secure LAN where you trust all that have access to your LAN.

The attached PDF has detailed instructions on how to set up your Windows PC and iPhone.

This should apply to many versions of Windows and iPhones. The screen shots are from Windows 10 Home 22H2 and iPhone 13 Pro iOS 16.3.1.

Wi-Fi-Sharing-Files-Between-Windows-PC-and-iPhone

HTH, Dana:))

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windbg, satrow, deuce120, Alex5723, PKCano

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Make sure both devices are on the same network.
Go to https://snapdrop.net/ on both devices.
Copy files.

If snapdrop isn’t working, try https://www.wulingate.com/en/

cheers, Paul

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WCHS, Alex5723

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I tried out Snapdrop and it’s very easy to use. I think it will be my go-to utility to transfer files between my two Win10/Pro PCs and between one or the other of them and my iPad. The transfer is via Chrome-based browsers, using the Snapdrop URL. But, Edge can install it, merely by clicking on the icon to install. For Firebox, you need an extension. Has anyone used the FF extension? Any problems with it?

Is there any advantage to installing the app rather than using the Snapdrop URL?

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WCHS wrote:

Is there any advantage to installing the app rather than using the Snapdrop URL?

The advantage of an installed program is that you have access to the software if disconnected from internet.

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I tried it installed and still needed internet access. I uninstalled it.

cheers, Paul

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wavy, WCHS, Alex5723, geekdom

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Did not see your reply….

Does that mean I can use it w/o internet access, just a local lan??

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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No, it means you can’t.

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A tutorial sharing files (read/write) Between Windows PC and iPhone/iPad over wi-fi

It better to assign fix IP on the Windows PC.

[Moderator edit] removed attachment. Please include the text or a link to a site, not a document that users have to download before deciding if it is of value.

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Alex5723 wrote:

Please include the text or a link to a site, not a document that users have to download before deciding if it is of value.

* The pdf can be found and viewed in a browser, here:

https://www.askwoody.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Wi-Fi-Sharing-Files-Between-Windows-PC-and-iPhone.pdf

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Who is this tutorial from? You?

cheers, Paul

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Alex5723, satrow

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After some digging, I found that the item in Alex’s link was originally provided by Drcard ( @wsdrcard ) in post #2699147, so it’s actually Dana’s original composition.

 

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Alex5723, satrow

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Alex make sure you always give attribution.  We don’t poach from each other.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Alex5723, satrow

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Susan Bradley wrote:

Alex make sure you always give attribution.  We don’t poach from each other.

Sorry. Just re-read the PDF on my PC. Couldn’t find the source/post #.
Can my post/ text be removed ?

Thanks @wsdrcard.

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Please tell me if I’m missing something. Can’t we simply plug the phone into the computer to transfer the desired files, or do we need to jump through all these hoops?

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

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Cybertooth wrote:

Can’t we simply plug the phone into the computer to transfer the desired files, or do we need to jump through all these hoops?

You can plug an iPhone to a Windows PC but you will be able to copy only photos from the iPhone to Windows PC.

The file sharing over wi-fi will let you copy any file from/to Windows/iPhone.

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Cybertooth

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There’s an easier solution – iDiskk – a reversable thumb drive. See the features on Amazon:

“512GB App*le Certified iDiskk Photo Storage Stick Thumb Drive Flash Drive iPhone iPhone USB Storage Photo Stick for Computer Phone Lightning iPad, Mac/PC Videos & Photo FLASHDRIVE (1 Click to Backup)”

 

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Cybertooth wrote:

Can’t we simply plug the phone into the computer to transfer the desired files, or do we need to jump through all these hoops?

Most of the “hoops” are the settings to set up a Network Share folder to share files over a LAN and is not specific to the iPhone file transfer. I included that for those that have not done that yet. If you already have a Network Share folder set up then all you have to do is to connect to the share folder thru the LAN just like any other device on the LAN. If you do have to set up the Network Share folder it will be a one time deal. The Network Share folder becomes the portal to move all kinds of file types between the iPhone and a Windows PC over your home LAN.
I like this method because you do not need or use any other app or hardware to move as many files as you want. I keep the manuals of things I work on in PDF form on my iPhone which I transferred from my PC. Those instructions are always with me and don’t depend upon if I can get a connection.

I don’t use this Wi-Fi file transfer to transfer photos from my iPhone and still use the USB connection to the iPhone and File Explorer to access the photos. Why? File Explorer can handle multiple photos at one time while the Wi-Fi transfer method is a single file set up and would take way longer to transfer many photos from the iPhone to the PC.

HTH, Dana:))

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windbg, Cybertooth

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Thanks for the details. I guess the reason this subject was puzzling to me is because we use Android phones and we’ve never had a problem freely moving files of any type to and from the phones to PCs by using the Windows (or File) Explorer via USB cable.

 

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

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wavy

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