What is the fastest way to transfer video from iPhone to Mac?

[DukeDevlin]

Hello,

I have a very simple question. I record some videos on my iPhone 12 Pro Max with Filmic Pro. After that, I have to edit on Final Cut Pro X. I want to find the fastest way to transfer videos from iPhone to Mac. Initially, I used Airdrop. Nonetheless, when I record on 4k: first there is a conversion of the video and after that, transfer starts. It was so long. Is it faster to transfer with USB cable? What are your thoughts?

Thanks a lot,

 

[Slartibart]

via USB 3 is much faster - please take a look here.

EDIT: and you transfer in the original format.

Another option for a wireless transfer without conversion is to use FileBrowser Go/Pro or FE FileExplorer on your iPhone and a shared folder on your Mac and copy the files. Theoretically Apple’s Files app should be able to do this - sadly it is still (iOS/iPadOS 15.x) quite unreliable.
Similar you can copy your files with FB or FEFE to a NAS if available.

 

[now i see it]

Here’s suggestion from @djbuddha

The Fastest Way To Copy Massive ProRes Videos From The iPhone 13 Pro

I hope this helps someone trying to copy their massive ProRes clips. As Filmic Pro supports the codec ahead of Apple updating iOS, that’s what I’m using here. Years ago, I grabbed an app called nPlayer for iOS - in short it’s like VLC but way better and I can avoid iTunes for my media. As I...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[DukeDevlin]

Thanks! So USB is faster with the apple software to transfer images?

 

[Slartibart]

Thanks! So USB is faster with the apple software to transfer images?

yes, it is. Sadly the transfer using Apple’s Files isn’t reliable.

 

[DukeDevlin]

yes, it is. Sadly the transfer using Apple’s Files isn’t reliable.

Yeah! I have some trouble! So I have to pay another app?

 

[Slartibart]

Yeah! I have some trouble! So I have to pay another app?

yes. or you get/use hardware which allows wireless /LAN transfer - if e.g. your wlan-router supports SMB3 you can (if possible) just connect a ssd/hd and then copy your data between your iDevices and said storage using even Apple Files. But wireless copies are slow.

As others have already pointed out - if possible, use APFS on the external drive you want to use, I use FileBrowser Pro as well as FE FileExplorer (depending on usage needs), but if you go through the threads FileBrowser has solved the transfer problems FROM iPads TO external media for a lot of people.

 

[Taz Mangus]

via USB 3 is much faster - please take a look here.

EDIT: and you transfer in the original format.

The firewire lightning port on the iPhone 12 Pro Max only support USB 2 speeds.

EDIT: I just realized that I typed “firewire” ?. Actually, meant “lightning”.

 

[Slartibart]

The firewire port on the iPhone 12 Pro Max only support USB 2 speeds.

still faster then WLAN

 

[Taz Mangus]

Yeah! I have some trouble! So I have to pay another app?

Have you tried using Airdrop. It is suppose to be really quick. It could use the theoretical speed of your WiFi chip in your 12 Pro Max.

 

[cynics]

I get over 80 MB using AirDrop. This is actually airdropping from my Mac to my iPhone, its better in the other direct. I notice that the speed starts to drop off toward the end of the transfer which I assume is the overhead caused by space limitation on the iPhone. Regardless for my uses this is the easiest method and from what I see its not exactly slow either...

 

[Slartibart]

I get over 80 MB using AirDrop. This is actually airdropping from my Mac to my iPhone, its better in the other direct. I notice that the speed starts to drop off toward the end of the transfer which I assume is the overhead caused by space limitation on the iPhone. Regardless for my uses this is the easiest method and from what I see its not exactly slow either...

View attachment 1951095

As far as I understand the OP - besides slower transfer speeds compared to cable (USB or LAN) - the format conversion happening when using AirDrop is… not optimal. ?

 

[DukeDevlin]

Yeah, it’s exactly that. Mostly, I used Airdrop but it’s my file in 4K for example, before airdroping the file, there is a conversion step sooo long. That’s why I want to know who is faster between USB transfer and Airdrop.

 

[Slartibart]

Yeah, it’s exactly that. Mostly, I used Airdrop but it’s my file in 4K for example, before airdroping the file, there is a conversion step sooo long. That’s why I want to know who is faster between USB transfer and Airdrop.

if it is just the conversion step you can use SendAnywhere - connect iPhone and computer to the same (W)LAN, use the app on the iPhone to send, open the webpage on the computer to receive. There will be no conversion.

Or try snapdrop via the browser on both.

 

[Slartibart]

or you use Phone Drive - or a similar app - it seems to be free today.

 

[MajorFubar]

This is my pet peeve when transferring movies from iPhone to Mac.
I shoot using the regular camera app. But because I choose to use iCloud Photos, when I plug my iPhone into my Mac and try to import them via Preview or Photos, no videos show as being stored on my device.
So I have to wait for them uploading to the cloud before they appear in Photos.
On my lousy internet here in the wilds of NW England it can take an hour or more to upload a six minute 30fps 1920x1080 video from the phone to the cloud. 4K 60fps = forget it, you'd be talking times measured by visible beard growth.
I don't think the devs in Silicon Valley can grasp that people like me actually exist in 2022.