"Previously, on Windows, iPhone was recognized as a camera and I could browse image folder with Explorer without a need to import/download/transfer photo files to the computer. Is there a way to do the same on Mac OSX? I mean, all approaches I have ever read are somehow connected to import procedure (iPhoto, Preview, iTunes, etc.) or to hacking the iPhone and installing some apps that will allow to mount the phone as storage drive work. What is the easiest and most straightforward way to view that files without transferring them to a computer?" I read this comment on a website by chance when I tried to solve the issue how to access iPhone photos on Mac. In fact, it is not that difficult to solve this problem. Now follow me to learn how to access photos on iPhone from Mac.

Part 1: How to Access iPhone Photos on Mac on iCloud

iCloud provides a professional solution to access iPhone files like photos, contacts, mails, etc. As long as you have an Apple ID and password, you can get files easily and quickly whenever and wherever you are. Hence, if you try to find a way to access iPhone photos on Mac, you can try iCloud by following these steps.

1. On iPhone, go to "Settings > Apple ID > iCloud" and toggle on "Photos". In this way, iPhone photos will be synced with iCloud.

toggle on Photos

2. Open iCloud official website: www.iCloud.com and then sign in to the website with your Apple ID and password.

3. Click "Photos" on the main interface and you will access iPhone photos on iCloud. There are different folders in the left sidebar, then you can choose one to access iPhone photos.

access iPhone photos on iCloud

4. Hold "Command" and choose photos you want to access. Tap on the download icon in the upper right to choose the output directory in the pop-up dialogue. In this way, you access iPhone photos on Mac.

Part 2: How to Access iPhone Photos on Mac with Leawo iTransfer

Known as a top-rated transferring tool, Leawo iTransfer for Mac features a modern and intuitive interface that can be used to transfer 12 kinds of files like photos, music, videos, contacts and so forth between Apple devices, computers and iTunes. Besides, you can directly manage iPhone files on this software like directly deleting photos and duplicated songs on iPhone. How to access photos on iPhone from Mac? Leawo iTransfer will help you a lot.

iTransfer

Leawo iTransfer for Mac 

☉ copy files among iOS devices, iTunes and PCs with ease.
☉ copy up to 14 kinds of data and files without iTunes.
☉ Support the latest iOS devices like iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, etc.
☉ Play back, view, and delete data and files on iOS devices.

Step 1 Connect iPhone to Mac

Connect iPhone to Mac

Connect iPhone to Mac and open Leawo iTransfer. iPhone will be automatically recognized by the software. In the left sidebar, you can see different categories of contents like photos, contacts, music, etc.

open Leawo iTransfer

Step 2 Access iPhone photo on Mac

Go to "iPhone > LIBRARY > Photos" in the left sidebar, then iPhone photos will show in the right interface. You can delete photos directly on the software or transfer photos between iPhone and Mac.

1. If you want to delete iPhone photos, you can simply hold "Ctrl" and click photos you want to delete. After that, tap on "Delete" icon at the top left corner of the right interface.

delete iPhone photos

2. If you want to transfer photos from Mac to iPhone, click "Add" icon at the top to choose "Add File/Folder" to add photos from Mac. It will immediately transfer photos from Mac to iPhone.

add photos from Mac

3. If you want to transfer photos from iPhone to Mac, press "Ctrl" and click photos you want to transfer. Right click the selected photos to choose "Transfer to > My Computer" and you can choose target output folder in the pop-up dialogue. Afterwards, choose "Transfer Now". A transferring percentage bar will show you the process.

transfer photos from iPhone to Mac

Part 3: How to Access iPhone Photos on Mac with iPhoto

If you are looking for a comprehensive tool to handle iPhone photos, then iPhoto is right the software you need. With the software, you can directly delete photos by directly dragging them to the Trash or you can export photos from Photo Stream. One thing you have to know is that iPhone now is renamed Photo. Therefore, why not try iPhoto to access iPhone photos on Mac? Here I would like to mainly introduce how to transfer photos from iPhone to Mac. If you want to transfer many other kinds of files to Mac, then I recommend you to sync your whole iPhone to Mac.

1. Connect iPhone to Mac with USB cable. Generally speaking, iPhoto will automatically open and you can see all iPhone photos there.

2. In the left sidebar, click "Devices > My iPhone" and you can see a list of iPhone photos on the right interface.

3. To transfer photos from iPhone to Mac, pick up photos by holding "Ctrl" and clicking photos and then choose "Import Selected" to import them to a specific folder. If you want to import all photos, you can click "Ctrl + A" to select all photos and choose "Import All Photos" at top right corner.

Import All Photos

Part 4: How to Access Photos on iPhone from Mac via AirDrop

AirDrop is featured by transferring files wirelessly like photos, contacts, websites, bookmarks, etc. between iPhones, iPads and Macs. If you want to access photos on iPhone from Mac via AirDrop, you have to ensure that both iPhone and Mac are using the same Wi-Fi and their Bluetooth toggled on. Now let's learn how to access iPhone on Mac via AirDrop. We will focus on how to transfer photos from iPhone to Mac.

Step 1 On your iPhone, swipe upward to enter "Control Centre" and activate AirDrop, then select "Contact Only/Everyone". At this time, your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will be automatically opened. Go to Photo app and select photos, then tap on the share icon. You can see Apple devices to share with, choose your Mac and wait for your Mac to approve the transfer.

activate AirDrop

Step 2 On Mac, launch "Finder" and choose "Go > AirDrop". Make sure your Mac logs into the same Wi-Fi as your iPhone. In the "Finder" window, choose "Allow me to be discovered by Everyone/Only/No One". When you get a prompt from your iPhone to ask you to approve the transfer, approve it. Later on, you can see those photos on "Downloads" folder.

approve the transfer