Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac Without a Cable
Product screenshots on this page show the current SEYFR 1.x interface while 2.0 is in development.
Written by JITPOMI, the team that builds SEYFR.
AirDrop requires both devices nearby. iTunes is slow. iCloud costs money. Seyfr transfers files from iPhone to Mac wirelessly — free, full quality, no account, Supports compatible Macs including M1, M2, and M3.
Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac — Step by Step
Install Seyfr on your iPhone and Mac
Download Seyfr from the App Store on your iPhone and the Mac App Store on your Mac — it's free. Check the current App Store listings for device and operating-system requirements.
Select Send on your iPhone
Open Seyfr on your iPhone, select Send, and choose the files or folders you want to transfer. This generates a QR code and token representing the content address of the files.
SEYFR 1.x UIOpen the Receive menu on your Mac
Open Seyfr on your Mac, select the Receive menu, and paste the token shown on your iPhone. Choose a destination folder if needed.
SEYFR 1.x UITransfer your files
Click Receive on your Mac. Transfer starts when the receiver confirms. Files transfer using peer-to-peer networking without intentional recompression.
SEYFR 1.x UITransfer Photos from iPhone to Mac — Full Quality
Seyfr sends your iPhone photos at full resolution — 48MP, 50MP, or whatever your iPhone camera records. HEIC, JPEG, RAW, and Live Photos all transfer natively. Nothing is compressed or converted.
This makes Seyfr the best way to transfer iPhone photos to Mac for photographers and creators who need to preserve full resolution for editing in Lightroom, Capture One, or Final Cut Pro.
Transfer Videos from iPhone to Mac
iPhone videos — especially ProRes, 4K Cinematic Mode, and slow-motion — can be multiple gigabytes per minute. AirDrop can handle these, but requires both devices within range. Seyfr works over your home Wi-Fi — you can be in different rooms. And it works across different networks too (e.g., iPhone on mobile data, Mac on home Wi-Fi) via Seyfr's hole-punching technology.
How to Transfer Files from Mac to iPhone
Seyfr works in both directions. To send files from your Mac to your iPhone:
- On your Mac, select Send and drag files onto the S, or click the S to open the file picker. Toggle Folder mode first when sending a folder.
- On your iPhone, select Receive and scan the Mac's QR code or paste the token, then click Receive.
- Save photos and videos to Photos; save other content to Files.
- Files transfer using peer-to-peer networking to your iPhone's Files app
Works with many file types that iOS allows you to select and that the receiving device can store, including documents, ZIP files, music, eBooks, and fonts.
iPhone to Mac Transfer — All Methods Compared
| Method | USB Required | Account Required | Full Quality | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seyfr (wireless) | No | No | without intentional recompression | Free |
| AirDrop | No | Apple ID | Free (Apple only) | |
| iCloud Photos | No | Apple ID | Free to 5GB, then $0.99/mo | |
| iTunes/Finder sync | Yes | Apple ID | Free (slow) | |
| Image Capture (Mac app) | Yes | No | Free | |
| No | Yes | 25MB limit | Free (limited) | |
| WhatsApp / Telegram | No | Yes | Compressed | Free |
Does Seyfr Work on M1, M2, and M3 Macs?
Yes. Seyfr is fully compatible with macOS and has native app support for Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) as well as Intel-based Macs. Download Seyfr from the Mac App Store to start transferring.
Transfer iPhone Files to MacBook Air or MacBook Pro
Seyfr works with supported Mac models — MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. Both older Intel models and newer Apple Silicon models. The only requirement is having the Seyfr app installed on both your iPhone and Mac.
Transfer files from iPhone to Mac — free, right now
No USB. No iTunes. No iCloud subscription. Supports compatible Macs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I transfer files from iPhone to Mac without a cable?
Install Seyfr on both your iPhone and Mac. Open Seyfr on your iPhone, select Send, and select the files you want to transfer. On your Mac, select the Receive menu and paste the token from your iPhone to start the transfer wirelessly. No cable, no USB, no drivers required.
How do I transfer files from iPhone to Mac without iCloud?
Seyfr transfers from iPhone to Mac using peer-to-peer networking without using iCloud at all. no JITPOMI cloud-drive upload. Your files move from your iPhone to your Mac.
How do I transfer files from Mac to iPhone without iTunes?
Simply open Seyfr on your Mac, select Send, and drag and drop the files/folders you want to send. Open Seyfr on your iPhone, click Receive, scan the QR code (or paste the token), and save them to your photos or files. No iTunes required.
Can I transfer HEIC photos from iPhone to Mac?
Yes. Seyfr transfers HEIC files natively. Mac can open HEIC files directly. If you need them as JPEG for another use, the Photos app on Mac can convert them on import.
Does Seyfr work if AirDrop is not working?
Yes. Seyfr is a great alternative when AirDrop isn't working — different network issues, compatibility problems, or distance. Seyfr works over your home Wi-Fi network even if AirDrop is failing.
Can I transfer files from iPhone to Mac wirelessly without Wi-Fi?
You can create a Wi-Fi hotspot on your iPhone (Personal Hotspot) and connect your Mac to it. Seyfr will work over that local connection.