Share & transfer
How to Transfer Private Photos from iPhone to a Computer Securely
Updated 3 min read
Uploading private photos to a cloud drive just to download them on your laptop puts a copy on someone else's server. For photos you have deliberately kept off iCloud, you want a direct transfer. SnapLockr offers two: an encrypted Wi-Fi connection that works with any browser, and USB through Finder or iTunes.
Transfer over Wi-Fi from any browser
Step 1: Join the same Wi-Fi network
Put your iPhone and computer on the same network. Avoid public Wi-Fi for this — a home or personal hotspot is best.
Step 2: Start the server
In SnapLockr, open Settings > Transfers > Wireless Transfer and tap Start Server. Keep the screen open; the server stops if you leave it or background the app.
Step 3: Open the address on your computer
Type the address shown into any browser. It will warn that the connection is not private, because the certificate was created on your iPhone rather than issued by a public authority. Choose Advanced, then continue.
Step 4: Check the certificate fingerprint
Compare the fingerprint in your browser's certificate details with the one shown in SnapLockr. If they match, you are talking to your phone and nobody else.
Step 5: Enter the session password
A new password is generated every session. Enter it, then download what you need or upload files into the vault.
Transfer over USB with Finder or iTunes
If you prefer a cable, USB Transfer exports decrypted copies of your albums into SnapLockr's Documents folder, which your computer can see when the iPhone is connected.
Step 1: Export your albums
In SnapLockr, open Settings > Transfers > USB Transfer and tap Export All Albums.
Step 2: Connect your iPhone
On a Mac, open Finder and select your iPhone. On Windows, use iTunes or the Apple Devices app.
Step 3: Open the Files tab and copy
Select SnapLockr and drag the exported folders to your computer.
Step 4: Clear Documents in SnapLockr
Exported files are not encrypted. As soon as the copy finishes, tap Clear Documents so they do not stay on your iPhone.
Protect the copy on your computer
Once photos leave the vault they are ordinary files again. Make sure the destination is as safe as the source:
- Turn on FileVault on a Mac or BitLocker / Device Encryption on Windows.
- Keep the files out of folders that sync to a cloud drive unless that sync is end-to-end encrypted.
- On a shared computer, store them in an encrypted disk image or archive rather than your Downloads folder.
SnapLockr features in this guide
Wireless & USB TransferPremium
Move photos between your vault and a computer over Wi-Fi with a password-protected HTTPS connection, or over a USB cable through Finder.
Import, Share & Export
Bring media in from Photos, Files, the camera or the share sheet of any app. Share or export whenever you need to — your files are never held hostage.
AES-256-GCM Encryption
Every photo, video, thumbnail and piece of recognised text is encrypted on your device. Your passcode is never stored in any form, so there is nothing to extract.
Frequently asked questions
Is SnapLockr's wireless transfer encrypted?
Yes. It uses HTTPS with a certificate generated on your iPhone, so other people on the network cannot read the photos. You can verify the connection by comparing the certificate fingerprint shown in the app.
Why does my browser say the connection is not private?
Browsers expect certificates issued by public authorities. SnapLockr's certificate is created on your device for your local network, so the browser warns about it. Check that the fingerprint matches the one in the app, then continue.
Does wireless transfer work on Windows?
Yes. It works in any modern browser on Windows, macOS, Linux or ChromeOS, as long as the computer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone.