In the past, it was challenging to add videos to iPhone from PC. Apple’s philosophy is to create a closed ecosystem, and that makes it hard for the iPhone users to access media files that are not synced through the iTunes app. Fortunately, there are different ways to transfer videos from a PC to an iPhone.
If you want to store your favorite movies, TV shows, or music videos on your iPhone, this blog post is for you. In this article, we will show you different methods to add a video to iPhone from PC. We will also provide additional tips and FAQs to help you troubleshoot any problems you may encounter.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Adding Videos to iPhone from PC
Apple’s syncing system does not allow for simple drag-and-drop transfer of videos from the PC to the iPhone. This is due to the closed ecosystem that the company has established. So, to add videos to an iPhone, you need to use a specialized software like iTunes, or a third-party app. The problem with using iTunes is that it can be slow, buggy, and unresponsive at times. Third-party apps can be costly or have limited functionality.
There are some issues one might experience when adding videos to an iPhone from PC, such as compatibility with video formats and codecs. Also, some videos might fail to play on the iPhone even after transferring them. You can resolve these issues by using the correct video format and codec and selecting the right transferring method.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before adding videos to an iPhone, make sure you have the following:
- An iPhone
- A PC with Windows or Mac OS
- The required video file.
- A reliable USB cable to connect your iPhone to the PC.
- iTunes installed on the PC, if you are using iTunes to transfer the video.
Method 1: Adding Video to iPhone from PC via iTunes
Using iTunes to transfer video files to your iPhone is the most common method. iTunes is a free tool that you can use to manage files and content on your iOS device. Follow the steps below to add video to iPhone:
- Connect your phone to the PC using a USB cable and launch iTunes.
- Click on the Device icon on the upper-left corner of the iTunes window.
- Click on the “Movies” option on the left sidebar of the window.
- Click on the “Add file to Library” option in the “File” dropdown menu.
- Select the video file that you want to add to your iPhone.
- Click the “Open” button to add the chosen video to iTunes library.
- After the video is added to iTunes, go back to the Device icon on iTunes and select the “Movies” tab.
- Check the box next to the video file that you want to transfer to your iPhone.
- Click on the “Apply” button and wait for the synchronization to complete.
- The video file will be added to your iPhone’s Video app once the synchronization is complete.
Pros:
- It is a free and reliable option provided by Apple.
- Allows you to create playlists for the videos to be synced to your iPhone.
Cons:
- It can be slower than other third-party options.
- It has limitations on supported video formats.
Method 2: Using Dropbox to add videos to the iPhone
One of the best ways to transfer videos from PC to iPhone is using Dropbox. Dropbox is a free cloud storage service that allows users to store and share files over the internet. You can move the video files to your Dropbox account and then access them from your iPhone using the Dropbox app. Here’s how you can use Dropbox to add videos to your iPhone.
- Download and Install the Dropbox app from the App Store.
- Create a free account in Dropbox and sign in using the same credentials on your iPhone and your PC.
- Click on the “New folder” button to create a new folder in Dropbox.
- Name it according to your preference.
- Open the folder and click on the “Upload files” button.
- Select the video file you want to transfer from the file explorer.
- The video will be uploaded to your Dropbox account.
- Open the Dropbox app on your iPhone and navigate to the folder containing the video file
- Tap on the video file that you want to download to your iPhone.
- Download the video to your iPhone by selecting the “Save Video” option.
- The video file will be saved to your iPhone’s Camera Roll and can be accessed from the Photos app.
Pros:
- It is a reliable free service that stores video files on the cloud.
- No need to connect the iPhone to the PC or any hardware/cable other than internet access.
- It allows you to access your files from multiple devices.
Cons:
- You need an active internet connection to access the video files on Dropbox.
- You need enough space in your Dropbox account to store the video files.
Method 3: Using Documents App by Readdle
The Documents app by Readdle is a file manager that allows you to store, manage, and transfer files between your iPhone and your PC. It is an all-in-one app that you can use to access media, download files from the internet, and manage data in the app. Here’s how you can use the Document app to add videos to your iPhone.
- Download and Install the Documents app by Readdle from the App Store.
- Launch the app.
- Click on the “Menu” button on the lower right corner of the app.
- Select the “Wi-Fi Drive” option, and you will find an IP address to use in your internet browser.
- On your PC, open your internet browser and enter the IP address in the address bar.
- Once the connection is established, drag and drop the video in the “Documents” folder on the browser to add it to the app on your iPhone.
- Select the “My files” option in Documents then expand the folder where you put the video.
- Click on the video to play it.
- While the video file is playing, click on the “More” button, and choose the “Save to Camera Roll” option to download the video to your iPhone.
Pros:
- The Documents app is a free app that can store videos, photos, and music files.
- It allows you to upload and download files wirelessly and without needing any cables.
Cons:
- The Documents app has a limited number of supported video formats.
- It requires a separate app to download the videos to your iPhone.
Method 4: Using EaseUS MobiMover software
EaseUS MobiMover is a data transfer software that you can use to transfer videos, photos, music files, and other data between your iPhone and PC. Here’s how you can use it to add videos to your iPhone.
- Download and Install EaseUS MobiMover software on your PC.
- Launch the app and connect your iPhone to the PC using a USB cable.
- Select the “PC to Phone” option.
- Click the “Add file” button to browse for the video file you want to transfer.
- Select the video and click the “Open” button to add it to the list of videos to transfer.
- Click on the “Transfer” button to start the transfer process.
- Wait for the process to complete, and the video will automatically appear in your iPhone’s Camera Roll.
Pros:
- It supports almost all video formats, including the most popular ones such as MP4, MOV, and AVI.
- It offers a free version with basic features.
Cons:
- You need the software installed on your PC.
- The free version of the software has limited functionality.
Why Can’t I Transfer Videos to My iPhone?
There could be several reasons why you might not be able to transfer videos to your iPhone from PC, such as:
1. Incompatible video format:
A video file format that is not supported on an iPhone cannot be transferred. iPhones support different video formats, including MP4, MOV, and M4V. If the video format you intend to add to your iPhone is not supported, then it will fail to transfer.
Fix:
You can fix this by converting the video to a compatible format using video conversion software or using an app that supports a broader range of formats.
2. iCloud is not turned on:
If the iCloud sync feature is turned off on your iPhone, then you cannot sync the videos. iCloud allows you to sync videos wirelessly between your iOS devices.
Fix:
Turn on iCloud automatically syncs videos to your iOS devices without the need for cables.
3. Your iPhone is not connected to the Wi-Fi network:
If your iPhone is not connected to a Wi-Fi network, then you cannot transfer the videos wirelessly.
Fix:
Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network and try again.
Additional Tips:
- Make sure to use a USB cable that is compatible with your iPhone to prevent syncing issues.
- Always ensure to use the latest versions of iTunes and your iPhone’s operating system.
- Use a video converter app to convert video files to compatible formats before adding them to your iPhone.
5 FAQs about Adding Videos to iPhone from PC:
Q1: Can I add videos from an external hard drive to my iPhone?
A: It is not possible to transfer videos from an external hard drive directly to the iPhone. So, you need to copy the videos to your PC before transferring them to your iPhone.
Q2: How long does it take to transfer a video to an iPhone?
A: The length of time it takes to transfer video to an iPhone depends on the file size, the transferring method you are using, and the speed of your internet connection. Usually, it takes a few minutes to transfer a video.
Q3: Can I transfer videos from my iPhone to my PC?
A: Yes, you can transfer videos from your iPhone to PC using the same methods as outlined above.
Q4: What do I do if my video file fails to transfer to my iPhone?
A: You can try to use a different transferring method or check if the video is in the right format. You can also restart your phone and try again.
Q5: Will adding videos to my iPhone from PC consume a lot of phone storage?
A: Yes, adding videos to your iPhone from PC can consume a lot of phone storage. So, you should always monitor the available space on your phone.
In Conclusion
Adding videos to your iPhone from your PC is crucial if you want to access your favorite content on the go. You can use iTunes, Dropbox, the Documents app by Readdle, or EaseUS MobiMover to transfer the videos. Each methods has its pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the method that best suits your situation. Always make sure to use a video converter app if the video format is not supported on your iPhone. We hope that this article has helped you add videos to your iPhone successfully.