Sharing Video and Photos Between Devices (Mac)

About this article

This article describes three processes for sharing videos and photos from the Photos app on the tablet to a laptop computer. This article includes the Mac version. This article is intended for all audiences.

Sharing Photos/ Videos

There are several different ways to share videos and photos from your Photos app on a tablet to your laptop computer. Enabling the iCloud and Photo Stream on all of your devices is one way to share that information through the cloud. You can also share images through AirDrop. These options do not require any physical connection between the devices. A second option is to manually connect your device to your laptop by using your tablet’s charging cord and importing items.Processes are described below.

Option 1:Photo Stream

Complete the following steps to share photos and videos through the Cloud.

Tablet

1. First you will need to make sure your iCloud account is set up. From your device open Settings > iCloud > Photos. From Photos tap the My Photo Stream button to turn it on. It should appear green.

2. You will now see an album title My Photo Stream in your photo albums in the Photos app. This album will automatically upload new photos and send them to all of your iCloud devices. You will not need to plug in your tablet to your laptop to share pictures or video. Any photos or videos in the Camera Roll photo album are photos that were taken on that particular device.

3. There are also a variety of other photo settings to choose from in the settings. Selecting iCloud will upload your entire library and store it in the iCloud. This is a great option if you would like to share photos or videos you have already captured and would like to share between devices. The My Photo Stream only share images that were captured after this option was turned on. Apple automatically provides 5 GB of storage in the iCloud.

4. There is also the iCloud Photo Sharing option in Settings. This allows you to create albums and share items with specific people by creating a Shared album. It is recommended to turn on all three options to ensure all content is saved.

Laptop (Mac)

1. Next you will want to turn on My Photo Steam on your Mac. Go to System Preferences > iCloud and check My Photo Stream. You also have several photo sharing options from screen including iCloud Photo Library and iCloud Photo Sharing.

2. Select the Photos application from your Applications folder to access your photos and video.

3. To save an item to your laptop select the item. From the menu bar select File > Export > select the first option Export 1. Select Export on the next screen and select where you would like the item saved to on your laptop.

Option 2:AirDrop

AirDrop is a great option for quickly sharing one or two items between devices.Complete the following steps to share photos and videos through the AirDrop.

Tablet

1. To share using AirDrop you will have to turn AirDrop on. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to bring up the Control Center.

2. Tap the AirDrop box. You will be presented with three options. Select the Contacts Only or Everyone option. At any time you can go back and turn this option on and off.

3. Next select the item you would like to share and choose the Share button at the bottom left corner.

4.You will then see a circle with any of the devices you have connected to AirDrop.

5.Tap the circle with the device you would like to share with. The item will automatically download to your Downloads folder on your laptop. If you do not see any devices in this area you will have to connect AirDrop on the other devices you would like to share with.

Laptop (Mac)

1. To turn on AirDrop on your laptop go to your Finder> AirDrop

2.Select the dropdown at the bottom of the screen tiled "Allow me to be discovered by:"

3. You will be presented with three options. Select the Contacts Only or Everyone option. At any time you can go back and turn this option on and off.

Option 3:Connecting Devices

Complete the following steps to share photos and videos through the physically connecting devices.

Laptop (Mac)

1. Connect your tablet to your laptop using the charging cord.

2. If this is the first time connecting your device you will want to select "Trust This Device" when prompted

3. Make sure that you have entered your pass code and your tablet is unlocked.

4. Open Image Capture from your Applications folder.

5. Select your device from devices list

6. You have the option of importing all items or selecting individual items.

7. Also select at the bottom of the screen where you would like your items to be downloaded.