Quickest way to transfer audio from iPhone 5 to Mac?

[FMiguelez]

Hello.

Suppose I sampled something using my iPhone5 via Voice Memo...

How can I transfer the file to the Mac easily? Wireless would be nice.
Any OS from El Capitan to High Sierra.

I can't believe I haven't found an efficient way to do it quickly. AFAICS, not even the clunky iTunes routine would work for this (since it only works the other way around).

Do you know a decent solution? It's frustrating not being able to do such an elementary task quickly...

Thanks!

[cuttime]

Do you have the option to share via DropBox? That's been the easiest way for me on iOS. There are a number of apps that create a web server address that you can use to transfer files to computers on the same network. iCab Mobile is one that comes to mind. AudioShare is another really good one.

[FMiguelez]

Thank you, cuttime.

Yes. I have Dropbox in the computers and in the iPhone. It hadn't occurred to me to use it for this. I'll certainly try it.
I'll also look into those other services you mentioned.

I suppose the Dropbox workflow is ok, but I was hoping for something in-house, like selecting the file and click some equivalent of the Share icon where I could see the computer as a target for delivery, just like we see Mail, WhatsApp, etc.

I've never understood why Apple makes sharing documents back and forth so inconvenient...
I understand my iPhone is ancient... Are newer iPhones the same, or they have better options for handling these situations?

[HCMarkus]

I thought you could do a backup to iTunes, then pull from there...

Of just email the file to yourself if it is small enough.

[rentadrummer]

I transfer photos from my iPhone to my Mac via AirDrop, which is very fast and there's no limit to file size. I've never tried using it for transferring any other files, but it might work.

[mikehalloran]

I thought you could do a backup to iTunes, then pull from there...

Of just email the file to yourself if it is small enough.

iTunes is the official way. You can transfer data between any app that resides on both platforms that way.

As has been posted, there are other ways, too. I find Dropbox convenient.

[bayswater]

Since iOS 11 I've been using the Folders app to move files between iOS and OS X via iCloud. I don't recall if Voice Memo files can be moved that way, but sharing is probably the way it would work.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I would just plug an 1/8” jack into the phone and the other end into my audio interface and hit Play on the phone and record in DP. Simple.

[FMiguelez]

I transfer photos from my iPhone to my Mac via AirDrop, which is very fast and there's no limit to file size. I've never tried using it for transferring any other files, but it might work.

That's exactly what I was hoping for! Except that my iphone5 is ancient and it doesn't support it. Perhaps this is the excuse I was waiting for to upgrade it....

Either way, Dropbox seems workable for now, since I already have it installed in all my gadgets.

Thank you all for your tips

[rentadrummer]

I transfer photos from my iPhone to my Mac via AirDrop, which is very fast and there's no limit to file size. I've never tried using it for transferring any other files, but it might work.

That's exactly what I was hoping for! Except that my iphone5 is ancient and it doesn't support it. Perhaps this is the excuse I was waiting for to upgrade it....

Either way, Dropbox seems workable for now, since I already have it installed in all my gadgets.

Thank you all for your tips

I'm using an iPhone 5 with AirDrop, but don't let me stop you from buying a new phone.

[mikehalloran]

I would just plug an 1/8” jack into the phone and the other end into my audio interface and hit Play on the phone and record in DP. Simple.

Then there is the way that takes the most time.

If you keep your music in iTunes, your iPhone is probably set to sync with your Mac. If so, it works both ways.

Voice Memos, Music Memos etc. automatically sync. They are in my iTunes Music folder—all I have to do is navigate to it or find the files in iTunes and drag them where I want.

For GarageBand and non-Apple apps, it takes a few seconds longer manually.
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH25063?vi ... cale=en_US

[FMiguelez]

I transfer photos from my iPhone to my Mac via AirDrop, which is very fast and there's no limit to file size. I've never tried using it for transferring any other files, but it might work.

That's exactly what I was hoping for! Except that my iphone5 is ancient and it doesn't support it. Perhaps this is the excuse I was waiting for to upgrade it....

Either way, Dropbox seems workable for now, since I already have it installed in all my gadgets.

Thank you all for your tips

I'm using an iPhone 5 with AirDrop, but don't let me stop you from buying a new phone.

I thought it was not supported! Thanks for the heads up. I'll see if Airdrop works with audio files.

And I admit I also need to see if iTunes is workable wirelessly for this. I remember setting it all manually and with a wire to avoid a mess I once did with my iTunes library, but this time I'll make sure I know what I'm doing

[MIDI Life Crisis]

... and the problem with a hard wire from the phone to the Mac is... ?

[FMiguelez]

... and the problem with a hard wire from the phone to the Mac is... ?

Not a problem. That's how I sync all my other data.

I just wanted something more "modern" and quick for these little files, like drag and drop via bluetooth, or Airdrop.

But any of the suggested ideas, including yours with the cable and audio interface, will get me there

I suppose it all depends on how many times I have to do this. I'll find a good workflow.

[mikehalloran]

... and the problem with a hard wire from the phone to the Mac is... ?

The amount of time it takes. A 2 hour recording takes 2 hours to move over.

Through iTunes, it takes a few seconds if already sync'd. If syncing manually via iTunes, Dropbox or Airdrop, you upload and download. Speed is dependent on your internet connection.

The default (unless you have it set differently) is that iTunes syncs to iCloud whenever your phone is "locked and charging". Locked means you aren't using it.

I don't listen to music on my iPad so I don't have mine set that way. My iPhone is.

Again, it works both ways. I'm recording interviews for a book. If in a hurry to transcribe, I'll plug my phone into a USB cable and sync it manually. If not, the next time I charge it, the devices will sync without any involvement from me.

Just for kicks, I just moved a 4 hour group of songs from my Mac to my phone, deleted them on my Mac and copied them back. Took 5 minutes each way. Album artwork was involved so that made it take longer.