How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Windows — No Cable Needed
Getting files off your iPhone onto a Windows PC has historically required iTunes, a cable, or a cloud service like iCloud or Dropbox. None are fast or private. DropLink lets you transfer files directly from iPhone to Windows using just your iPhone's browser.
Quick answer
Install DropLink from the Microsoft Store on the PC, open any browser on the iPhone (the native iOS app is coming soon — in Apple review), and scan the QR code or open the link shown by the Windows app. Pick photos or documents, and the upload streams directly to the PC over the local network with end-to-end encryption. No iTunes, no cable, no iCloud, no account.
Step-by-step
- 1
Install DropLink on your Windows PC
Download DropLink from the Microsoft Store. Open the app — no account required.
- 2
On iPhone: open any browser
While the iOS app is coming soon, you can already transfer iPhone to Windows using the Web UI. Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- 3
On Windows: click Receive files
DropLink will start a local Web UI and show a link (or QR code) for the receiver. This link works in any browser on any device.
- 4
On iPhone: scan the QR code or tap the link
Your iPhone's browser will load the DropLink Web UI. No installation needed.
- 5
Select files from iPhone
Use the Web UI to pick photos, videos, or documents from your iPhone. You can select multiple files at once.
- 6
Upload — direct to the PC
The files upload directly to your Windows machine over the local network. No server in between, no cloud upload. Encryption is end-to-end.
Common issues and fixes
- iPhone browser says 'cannot connect' to the URL
The iPhone is probably on a different Wi-Fi or on cellular. Make sure the iPhone is connected to the exact same Wi-Fi as the Windows PC. Try scanning the QR code rather than typing the URL — it includes the right IP automatically. If your Wi-Fi has client isolation enabled, switch to a home network or enable the Personal Hotspot from the iPhone and put the Windows PC on it.
- Upload stalls at 99%
This is almost always a Windows Defender/antivirus scan running on the just-uploaded file. Let it finish. If it happens every time, temporarily exclude the DropLink download folder from on-access scanning.
- The Web UI looks broken
Hard-reload the page (on iOS Safari, hold the reload button → 'Reload Without Content Blockers'). Content blockers sometimes strip the inline styles.
How it works behind the scenes
Embedded HTTP server on Windows
When you click 'Receive files' in the Windows DropLink app, the Rust core starts a local HTTP server (axum) on port 8080 bound to the local network interface. It prints a shareable URL (and QR code) like http://192.168.1.42:8080/?token=... — the token is a UUID that authorizes upload/download for that session. Concurrency is limited by semaphores: max 5 downloads and 3 uploads simultaneously.
iPhone as a Web UI client
The iPhone browser opens the URL, loads the DropLink Web UI (embedded in the app, no CDN), and presents a file picker. Uploads go POST multipart to the Windows machine. Because both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, the traffic stays on the LAN. When the native iOS app is released, the same flow will also be available via QUIC transfer instead of HTTP upload.
Why HTTP is used on the iPhone path
Browsers cannot speak QUIC with a self-signed certificate without ugly warnings. Instead of asking the user to trust a certificate manually, DropLink runs the Web UI over plain HTTP — which stays on the LAN and is protected by the session token. The native iOS app, when released, will use QUIC like the Mac and Windows apps.
Expected speed
iPhone Wi-Fi is the main bottleneck. Typical speeds are 20–40 MB/s on Wi-Fi 5 and 50+ MB/s on Wi-Fi 6 / 6E. The Windows side and the router are rarely the bottleneck — optimize the iPhone's Wi-Fi connection (5 GHz, close to AP, no VPN).
- iPhone Wi-Fi 5
- 20–40 MB/s
- iPhone Wi-Fi 6/6E
- 50+ MB/s
- Max concurrent uploads
- 3
Is the upload private?
The upload stays on your local network — the Wi-Fi traffic between the iPhone and the Windows PC never leaves the router. The HTTP session is protected by a single-use token (UUID) bound to the Windows side; without the token the upload endpoint rejects requests. HTTP is used here instead of HTTPS because self-signed TLS certificates cause browser warnings — on the LAN the threat model is low and the token provides access control. When the native iOS app ships, transfers will use full QUIC + TLS 1.3.
Technical FAQ
Does the iPhone need to be on the same Wi-Fi?
For the fastest direct LAN path, yes. If that is not possible (e.g., iPhone on cellular), once the native iOS app is released you will be able to use the internet P2P path via iroh with the DERP relay fallback, just like Mac-to-Windows remote mode.
Will this drain my iPhone battery?
Only during the upload itself. The Web UI does not run background sync. Closing Safari ends the session.
Can I send photos including the live-photo data?
The iOS Safari file picker gives you the choice: 'Photo Library' (JPEG export) or 'Choose Files' (original bytes if the photo is saved as a file). When the native iOS app is released, DropLink will support direct HEIC/HEIF and live photos.