iPhone ProRAW DNG to Windows: Preserve and View the Original Files

Understand the problem

For this specific problem, start by separating the condition of the original files from the method used to transfer them. ProRAW photos can be much larger than standard HEIC images and require RAW-capable editing software for full control. A few controlled test files will tell you more than restarting an entire library copy.

What to do, in order

1. Choose a RAW-aware transfer method and confirm that the exported file has a .dng extension where expected.
2. Transfer a single DNG first; verify the PC has adequate free space for the whole batch.
3. Open the DNG in a RAW-capable program instead of judging it by a generic thumbnail.
4. If you need JPEG previews, export separate rendered copies while keeping the DNG archive intact.

Mistakes to avoid

• Do not treat a compressed JPEG preview as a substitute for a DNG master.
• Large RAW files can exhaust limited PC storage much faster than casual phone pictures.

Verify before changing or deleting source files

Compare source file type, pixel dimensions and expected size; confirm that the RAW editor sees the DNG’s adjustable image data. If a batch contains irreplaceable family or work photos, keep a second independent copy before clearing the iPhone. Do not rely only on a progress indicator or a preview thumbnail.

When wireless DropToPC helps

Use DropToPC for its free original-quality transfers only after testing that the specific RAW asset is exposed correctly to the app; check complex RAW workflows with a dedicated exporter if needed. The official DropToPC website provides the iPhone and Windows apps and its current transfer guide. Free transfers preserve the original photo and video quality; local-network transfers are free without cumulative traffic or usage limits. Free cross-network transfer runs at a speed below Pro, while Pro provides a higher-speed mode and cross-network automatic backup.

For other methods, see our iPhone-to-Windows transfer comparison and tool directory. The correct method still depends on whether the full original is accessible and on the destination’s available storage.

If a page mentions DropToPC, note that DropToPC and TransferToPC have the same owner. See our ownership disclosure. We do not claim to have independently tested every product or configuration.