Move Photos from Phone to PC & Mac

Why Transfer Photos to an External Hard Drive?

Before we dive into the steps, let's quickly go over the benefits of transferring your photos to an external hard drive:

• Free up phone storage: Your phone’s storage fills up quickly, especially with photos. Moving them to an external drive gives you more space.

• Safety and backup: External hard drives provide an additional layer of protection for your photos, making them easier to access and ensuring they’re backed up in case of phone loss or damage.

• Organization: It's easier to organize and search for photos on your external hard drive compared to a cluttered phone gallery.

How to Transfer Photos from Your Phone to an External Hard Drive on PC

Step 1: Connect Your Phone to Your PC

1. Use a USB cable to connect your phone to your PC.

2. Unlock your phone, and you should see a prompt asking if you want to allow the PC to access your device. Tap Allow or Trust.

3. Your phone should now appear in the File Explorer on your PC under “This PC” as a connected device.

Step 2: Open Your Phone’s Storage

1. Open File Explorer (Windows + E) and find your phone under "This PC."

2. Click on your phone’s name to open the folders.

3. Go to the DCIM folder (which usually contains all your photos).

Step 3: Copy Your Photos

1. Select the photos you want to transfer, or press Ctrl + A to select all.

2. Right-click and select Copy.

Step 4: Connect Your External Hard Drive

1. Plug in your external hard drive using the appropriate USB cable.

2. Open File Explorer again, and find your external hard drive under "This PC."

3. Create a folder in the external hard drive.

Step 5: Paste Your Photos

1. Right-click on the desired folder in your external hard drive and select Paste to transfer your photos.

2. Wait until the transfer is complete, and make sure to safely eject both your phone and external hard drive when done.

How to Transfer Photos from Your Phone to an External Hard Drive on Mac

Step 1: Connect Your Phone to Your Mac

1. Use a USB cable to connect your phone to your Mac.

2. Unlock your phone and tap Trust if prompted.

3. The Photos app should automatically open. If not, you can manually open it from the Applications folder.

Step 2: Import Photos to Your Mac

1. In the Photos app, you’ll see an option to import photos from your phone. Select the photos you want to transfer, or click Import All New Photos.

2. Once the photos are imported, they will appear in the Photos app’s library.

Step 3: Connect Your External Hard Drive

1. Plug in your external hard drive and make sure it appears on your desktop.

2. Open a Finder window and navigate to your external hard drive.

3. Create a folder in your external drive.

Step 4: Move Your Photos to the External Hard Drive

1. Open the Photos app, and select the photos you want to move.

2. Drag and drop the selected photos into the folder on your external hard drive.

3. The photos will now be transferred and safely stored on your external hard drive.

Step 5: Eject Devices Safely

Always make sure to safely eject both your phone and external hard drive once the transfer is complete.

Tips for a Smooth Photo Transfer

• Organize Your Photos: Before transferring, it’s a good idea to create folders for different events or years to keep your photos organized.

• Back Up Regularly: Make it a habit to back up your photos to avoid running out of storage and ensure your memories are safe.

• Check Space: Make sure your external hard drive has enough space for your photos. If not, you might need to delete old files or upgrade to a larger storage device.

Transferring photos from your phone to an external hard drive is a great way to free up storage and keep your memories safe. Whether you’re using a PC or Mac, the process is straightforward and easy to follow. So, grab your phone, external hard drive, and start preserving your photos today!

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