How To Transfer Video from iPhone/iPad to PC (Both Ways) - FAST & EASY
Learn how to quickly and easily transfer videos between an iPhone or iPad and a Windows PC. Send files in both directions using a secure, free web tool.
Key Takeaways
Transferring a video between an iPhone or iPad and a Windows PC can often feel weirdly complicated, almost as if the operating systems want you to give up. However, there is a simple, web-based tool that makes moving files in either direction ridiculously easy.
Below is a complete, step-by-step guide on how to transfer videos between your Apple mobile devices and a Windows PC quickly and easily using a free web application called PairDrop.
Initial Setup
Before you can start sending videos, you need to configure your devices. The most crucial requirement is that both your PC and your iPhone/iPad must be connected to the exact same network.
1. Set Up Your Windows PC
FAQ
Do I need to install any software or apps to transfer videos?
No, you do not need to install any software or mobile apps. The transfer process uses a free web application called PairDrop, which works directly in your existing web browser (like Safari, Chrome, or Edge) on both your PC and your Apple device.
Why can't my PC and iPhone see each other on the PairDrop website?
The most common reason devices cannot see each other is that they are on different networks. For the connection to work, both your Windows PC and your iPhone or iPad must be connected to the exact same Wi-Fi network.
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Transfer files quickly without installation by opening pairdrop.net on both devices connected to the exact same Wi-Fi network.
Send videos from PC to iPhone by dragging and dropping them onto the iOS device icon, then tapping Save Video from your Downloads folder to store them in your Photos app.
Send videos from iPhone to PC by tapping the PC icon, selecting a file from your Photo Library, and clicking Download on your computer.
Ensure your privacy with local peer-to-peer (P2P) WebRTC connections, which bypass third-party servers and keep files strictly on your own network.
Note PairDrop's 200MB file size limit, and use Google Drive as a cloud storage alternative for transferring larger videos.
Open any web browser on your Windows PC.
Type pairdrop.net into the address bar and press Enter. This will load a simple, free web app designed for local file sharing.
At the bottom of the screen, click the Edit button.
Give your PC a recognizable name (for example, "Jay's PC") so you can easily identify it.
2. Set Up Your iPhone or iPad
Ensure your iPhone or iPad is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC.
Open your preferred mobile browser (like Safari or Chrome) and navigate to pairdrop.net.
After a brief moment, you will see your PC's name appear on the screen.
Just like on the PC, tap the Edit button at the bottom of the screen to rename your device (for example, "Jay's iPhone").
Once completed, both devices will be visible on each other's screens, and you are ready to start transferring files.
How to Send Video from PC to iPhone/iPad
Sending a file from your computer to your mobile device takes just a few clicks:
On your Windows PC, locate the video file you want to send.
Drag and drop the video directly onto the iPhone or iPad icon displayed on the PairDrop website.
Look at your iPhone or iPad. You will see a "File transfer requested" prompt. Tap Accept.
Once the transfer is complete, the screen will display "File received." Tap Download to save the file to your device's Downloads folder.
To move the video to your camera roll, open your Downloads folder, tap the icon in the lower-left corner of the screen, and select Save Video. It will now be available in your Photos app.
How to Send Video from iPhone/iPad to PC
To move a video off of your mobile device and onto your computer, simply reverse the process:
On your iPhone or iPad, tap the PC icon on the PairDrop website.
Choose Photo Library to browse your device for the video you want to send.
Select the video and tap Add.
Look at your Windows PC. A "File transfer requested" prompt will appear. Click Accept to begin the transfer.
Once the transfer finishes, click Download to save the video file directly to your computer.
Quick Reference: Transfer Summary
Transfer Direction
Initiating Action
Receiving Action
Final Step
PC to iPhone/iPad
Drag & drop video onto iOS device icon
Tap "Accept" on mobile
Download and tap "Save Video" to store in Photos
iPhone/iPad to PC
Tap PC icon and select video from Photo Library
Click "Accept" on PC
Click Download to save the file to your computer
Limitations and Sending Large Files
While PairDrop is incredibly fast and easy for everyday files, it does have limitations. There is roughly a 200MB file size limit when using this method. If your video is too large, the app will display an error message.
For transferring larger video files, cloud storage is the best alternative. You can easily use Google Drive to upload large videos from one device and download them on the other.
You might be wondering how PairDrop works and if it is safe to use for your personal files.
PairDrop uses a technology called WebRTC, which is already built into most modern web browsers. This technology allows your devices to connect directly to each other using a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection.
Because the connection is P2P, you do not have to upload anything to a third-party server. All of your files and data stay entirely local on your own home or office network. Furthermore, the tool is completely free, open-source, and the code is publicly available on GitHub for anyone to inspect, ensuring transparency and security.
What should I do if my video file is larger than 200MB?
PairDrop has a file size limit of roughly 200MB. If your video is too large, you will receive an error message. The best alternative is to use a cloud storage service. You can watch this tutorial on How to Transfer Large Files with Google Drive to learn how.
Where do transferred videos get saved on my iPhone or iPad?
When you receive a video from your PC, it initially saves to your device's Downloads folder. To move it to your camera roll, open the Downloads folder, tap the icon in the lower-left corner, and select Save Video so it becomes available in your Photos app.
Are my private videos uploaded to the internet during the transfer?
No, your videos are not uploaded to a third-party server. The tool uses WebRTC technology to establish a direct peer-to-peer (P2P) connection between your devices. All file transfers happen locally over your own network, which keeps your personal data private and secure.
