I typically Airdrop from iPhone to MBP -> copy from MBP to USB thumb drive -> move USB thumb drive to PC. It's slightly less annoying than emailing and waiting several minutes for the mail server to update, but very cumbersome nonetheless.
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Is there a better way to transfer PDFs from iPhone to PC?
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All-in-1 Android Device Manager | AirDroid Personal
AirDroid Personal is the mobile device management suite that lets you easily transfer files across devices, remote control devices, mirror screens & manage SMS & notifications.
You could save them to a cloud storage solution like OneDrive, or message them to yourself via telegram saved messages. Probably not an option for more sensitive documents though.
You could try using iCloud Drive:
Access and manage your files in iCloud Drive – Apple Support (UK)
iCloud Drive lets you access all of your documents securely from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and Windows PC.
Why not just use a cloud service, like iCloud Drive, DropBox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.?
You could skip the Macbook step and go from phone directly to thumbstick.
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Possible only if the OP is using the iPhone 15, which wasn't explicitly mentioned.
I've done it with even lightning devices. Sandisk sold a range of double sized thumb sticks or you could use a Lightning to USB adapter.
Yes! Welcome to 2011!
iCloud offers everything you need. Apple provides 5GB for free!
iPhone PDF > Files ( iCloud )
Windows PC > Login to iCloud.com with your username and password. Download PDF!
If you don't want to use a cloud drive, can't you just connect the iPhone directly to Windows with a cable? When I used Windows I did it all the time.
Email it to yourself. Or Onedrive if you plan on doing that frequently. Emailing was my only option if I had to send pdf to work PC from my own PC/Phone.
You can also just use iTunes and sync it directly while plugged into your pc.
“If you have an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 4 or later, or an iPad, you can use iTunes to transfer files between your computer and your device using apps that support file sharing. You might want to do this if, for example, you want to save files you create on your device to your computer, or take files with you so you can use them when you’re away from your computer.”
“If you have an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 4 or later, or an iPad, you can use iTunes to transfer files between your computer and your device using apps that support file sharing. You might want to do this if, for example, you want to save files you create on your device to your computer, or take files with you so you can use them when you’re away from your computer.”
Transfer files between your PC and devices with iTunes
In iTunes on PC, transfer files between your computer and your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
support.apple.com
Unfortunately, PDFs don't show up under File Sharing in iTunes. In fact, I'm not sure what is actually supported or what File Sharing even does, as that window has been blank every time I've checked for as far back as I can remember.
If you've actually transferred PDFs from an iPhone to a PC via that window, I'd love to know how you did it and which version of iTunes you were running.
File sharing must be enabled by dev AND approved by Apple for it to show up. It is likely whatever app you use to store pdf doesn’t have file sharing enabled, or make their documents folder accessible.
If the prerequisite is met, you can open the said document folder under file transfer section by finding the app icon and double click on it iirc. Then you can copy stuff from there.
I use the built in Notes and Files apps. That said, between the walled garden **** and Tim Cook's software and services push, it doesn't surprise me one bit that Apple has purposely crippled their own software.
Thanks for the explanation though - it's good to know that it's at least theoretically possible to transfer files between an iPhone and a PC via iTunes, even if I'll likely never see it happen during my lifetime.
Literally made an acc just to give my two cents. Some other options which are more low entry:
1. Connect to an smb folder share on your windows PC via iOS Files app 'Connect to Server'. Apple tut here. It also supports sharing for example directly scanning from iOS to SMB share.
2. [Free] 'Documents' app by Readdle found in the Apple App Store: there's a local network sync option from which you can exchange files to/from your iOS device and a web browser (Connect to Computer option), or there's more options to Add Network Connection (WebDAV, FTP, SFTP, Windows SMB).
3. [Free] 'Resilio Sync' app found in the Apple App Store: P2P mesh between any devices, supports selective sync on mobile devices.
4. [Free?] Intel Unison Application: I dug this out of the dregs of my memory. I think this came out 'somewhat' recently. Apparently this is suppose to be the 'windows'/Intel equivalent to Apple's Airdrop or wireless sync ecosystem. Supports windows devices, iOS and Android.
Dunno if this would be slightly more convenient than buying 'custom' hardware or dongles. Personally have validated options 2 and 3. Option 2 probably has the least steps for you, while option 3 is better for large or many files and works over both local network and over the internet.
1. Connect to an smb folder share on your windows PC via iOS Files app 'Connect to Server'. Apple tut here. It also supports sharing for example directly scanning from iOS to SMB share.
2. [Free] 'Documents' app by Readdle found in the Apple App Store: there's a local network sync option from which you can exchange files to/from your iOS device and a web browser (Connect to Computer option), or there's more options to Add Network Connection (WebDAV, FTP, SFTP, Windows SMB).
3. [Free] 'Resilio Sync' app found in the Apple App Store: P2P mesh between any devices, supports selective sync on mobile devices.
4. [Free?] Intel Unison Application: I dug this out of the dregs of my memory. I think this came out 'somewhat' recently. Apparently this is suppose to be the 'windows'/Intel equivalent to Apple's Airdrop or wireless sync ecosystem. Supports windows devices, iOS and Android.
Dunno if this would be slightly more convenient than buying 'custom' hardware or dongles. Personally have validated options 2 and 3. Option 2 probably has the least steps for you, while option 3 is better for large or many files and works over both local network and over the internet.
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If you’d like a more, uhh, IT-approved solution, have the PC host an SMB share and connect directly to it from iOS’ Files app.
(EDIT: @sk9c00 beat me to it, and provided much more helpful detail to boot. I would note that this SMB route uses well-standardized technologies and requires no third-party apps or add-ons.)
(EDIT: @sk9c00 beat me to it, and provided much more helpful detail to boot. I would note that this SMB route uses well-standardized technologies and requires no third-party apps or add-ons.)
"AirDrop" it to your PC from your iPhone (or Mac) using snapdrop.net. It creates a local P2P connection between your devices. The file transfer does not go through the internet.
snapdrop.net
Snapdrop
Instantly share images, videos, PDFs, and links with people nearby. Peer2Peer and Open Source. No Setup, No Signup.
snapdrop.net
On my Windows laptop I always have a browser tab open for iCloud to share between it and iPhone/iPad. Seems like the simplest solution to me.
Step 1: sell your PC
Step 2: buy a Mac!
Sorry! Couldn’t resist
Step 2: buy a Mac!
Sorry! Couldn’t resist
Just a heads-up: Don't try to use Apple's own lightning to usb adapter for that. It doesn't deliver enough power for most devices, even thumbsticks, iirc. Get one of those combined lightning cardreader/usb-adapters from amazon for half the price.
Install iCloud on the PC. Job done. (Or install OneDrive on your iPhone. Job done.)
Going to channel my inner Tim Cook.
“Why don’t you replace your windows computer with a Mac. There’s never been a better time to exclusively use a a Mac.”
On a Sirious note. You have gotten some great responses. Bottom line is cut out the middle device in the Mac. That’s unnecessary.
There are some options in the form of having an ftp server but not sure how:if that would work form iPhone/windows. I think easiest would be cloud storage but if sensitive document then you’ll have to use one of the other methods. As a warning I’ll say the lighting to usb drives I’ve used have been finicky and broken on me so I wouldn’t use them for back up just to move files across.