I use Android, but when connected with USB, it asks, do you want to charge battery, or do you want to copy files (or something), or share the internet connection. It can also synchonise contacts, calendars, and no doubt other files, via the cable.
mine is set up so it copies photos from phone to PC unless I tell it not to.
I can address the DCIM files through file mangler and delete photos or other content faster than with the phone buttons.
Some budget cables are charge-only and do not have the pins for data transfer. I bought some extra "genuine Samsung" two-metre cables that support intelligent fast charge and data transfer. They are thicker than short ones, presumably due to length and loss of signal or voltage drop or something. I use the blue USB3 ports.
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@MeldrewsMate
mine asked me what I wanted to do the first time I connected via USB, I remember there are three options, I probably selected the one I want as default, can't remember now, but I can go into an option called something like "other connections" and tell it to do something else. But I am not an Iphone user so yours may not be the same.
Once connected with a data cable, you can address the phone through Windows "File Explorer"