iPhone users with PCs can now access photos, videos via Windows 11 Photos app — here's how

Microsoft Photos app
(Image credit: Microsoft)

If you have a iPhone and a PC, there's now an easier, faster way to access your photos and videos from your Apple device. The Cupertino-based tech giant collaborated with Microsoft to integrate iCloud with the Windows 11 Photos app. Woo-hoo!

PCs aren't the only places you can now access your iPhone content; you can also use any Xbox device (e.g. Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S) to interact with your photos and videos. You may be wondering, "That's great news! But how do I get started?" Lucky for you, we've got a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

How to sync your iCloud photos and videos with the Windows 11 Photos app

There's no way around it, but if you want to access your iCloud content on your PC, you must upgrade to Windows 11 (here's how to install Windows 11). Once you've got Windows 11 ready to go, follow the instructions below to access your iPhone's photos and videos on your PC.

1. Click on Microsoft Store icon on Windows 11's desktop taskbar.

Windows Store on Windows 11

How to access iCloud on Windows Photos app (Image credit: Future)

2. Type "iCloud" in the search bar and hit Enter. This should bring up the iCloud for Windows app.

iCloud for Windows app

How to access iCloud on Windows Photos app (Image credit: Future)

3. Tap on "Get."

4. Once installed, click on "Library."

Library button in Microsoft Store

How to access iCloud on Windows Photos app (Image credit: Future)

5. Scroll down to iCloud and click "Open."

6. You may get a message that says, "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" Click "Yes."

7. Input your Apple ID and password.

iCloud for Windows app

How to access iCloud on Windows Photos app (Image credit: Future)

8. For 2FA, you'll be asked to input the verification code that was sent to your Apple device.

iCloud for Windows app

How to access iCloud on Windows Photos app (Image credit: Future)

9. Once you've been verified, the iCloud app will appear. Click on "Apply."

iCloud on Photos app

How to access iCloud on Windows Photos app (Image credit: Future)

10. Next, click on the Photos app on the taskbar and you should see that your iCloud photos and videos is totally integrated with your Windows content by scrolling through the Collection tab.

Kimberly Gedeon

Kimberly Gedeon, holding a Master's degree in International Journalism, launched her career as a journalist for MadameNoire's business beat in 2013. She loved translating stuffy stories about the economy, personal finance and investing into digestible, easy-to-understand, entertaining stories for young women of color. During her time on the business beat, she discovered her passion for tech as she dove into articles about tech entrepreneurship, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the latest tablets. After eight years of freelancing, dabbling in a myriad of beats, she's finally found a home at Laptop Mag that accepts her as the crypto-addicted, virtual reality-loving, investing-focused, tech-fascinated nerd she is. Woot!