How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Android & Vice Versa

Always make sure you check any software or apps you use for transferring data to be fully compatible with both operating systems. Most apps are compatible and the ones we've mentioned below are a good starting point. Additionally, check your device's operating systems to make sure they're both up to date.

Large amounts of data can time out due to long transfer times so make sure you have enough storage before you start. Once you get started, there's no way to interrupt the process or add more storage. However, one of the best ways to avoid this is to use a PC.

One of the most common errors people make is interrupting the transfer. Even if it looks like it isn't moving, just trust the process. Sometimes it helps to walk away and do something else so you're not tempted to interrupt!. And remember, it can take several days if you're transferring a lot of large files. Make sure you also follow the step by step instructions we've laid out below, including any required settings needed for the transfer to work. This is particularly key when using an app as they'll need specific settings to work properly.

It's always a good idea to back up your data before you do anything. That's why cloud services are the most reliable option when moving from Android to iPhone (or the other way around!). It also won't decrease the quality of your photos or lose any in the process. To further limit data corruption, you can also move photos from iPhone to Android in batches to avoid interruptions with a stable wifi connection. Dedicated apps such as Zapya, Send Anywhere and ShareIt are also highly reliable, but we'll get into that more below.

We don't have skin in the game either way, but let's just say it's a tad less complicated than to transfer photos from Android to iPhone. iOS uses HEIC (photos) and HEIV (videos) file types as opposed to JPG. The latest Android version, 9 and later, can read all these formats, is fine, so transferring photos from iPhone to Android is simplified. However, if you reverse into transferring photos from Android to iPhone, you'll need to change the format first.

Each Cloud service will be slightly different when you transfer photos across devices, but they do follow a common approach. We specifically outline the Google Drive process in this section because it's the most popular. 

The downside to using the Google Drive app is that the process to transfer photos from Android to iPhone, and iPhone to Android can be a bit clunky. Here's a Step by Step breakdown on transferring photos from iPhone to Android using the Google Drive app: 

1. Download the Google Drive app on your iPhone 
2. Sign in to Drive with your Google account 
3. Tap on Add 
4. Hit Upload 
5. Select the photos you want to transfer 
6. Tap Upload and wait for the transfer to complete (you’ll want Wifi for this) 
7. On your second device, open Drive (which comes pre-installed on most Android phones) 
8. Select the images uploaded from your first device 
9. Hit the 3-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the screen 
10. Tap Download

Ease of Use: Highly intuitive with a familiar drag-and-drop approach. 

Time Required: 24 to 48 hours depending on size and volume. 

Data Usage: Generally, 100MB files use up 100MB of data so you might prefer to use wifi instead of your carrier data. 

Wifi Network Needed: Not needed but is highly recommended.

Google Photos provides two easy ways to send photos from iPhone to Android without losing quality, and from Android to iPhone: 

Method #1 - High Storage Use, but Less Work for Large Collections 

1. Open the Google Photos app on Android and iPhone and log in with your Google account 

2. Set backup quality to Original if you want your photos to be transferred to full quality 

3. Enable backup, and your photos and videos will begin to sync between both devices 

4. Use the app to view and download them easily from either phone 

Method #2 - Low Storage Use, but More Work

 1. Select the photos you want to transfer between phones 

2. Click Share and select your other phone as the recipient and hit Send 

3. Hit Send

Ease of Use: Highly intuitive with drag-and-drop and automatic photo backup. 

Time Required: Several minutes to several days depending on photo size and volume. 

Data Usage: Google photos are set to only backup with wifi connection because otherwise it'll use up tons of data! 

Wifi Network Needed: Yes, highly recommended!

A few easy steps to transfer photos from iPhone to Android using Samsung Smart Switch: 

1. Connect your Android and iPhone with a cable and adaptor. 

2. Launch the app on your Android phone and select "Receive data". 

3. Click "Cable" when asked which connection mode and a pop up will appear on your iPhone asking you to trust the device. 

4. Click "Next" on your Android and it will automatically search for photos and files. 

5. Select your photos and anything else you want to transfer from the list that comes up on your Android. Then wait for the transfer to happen. 

Now, that was easy!

Ease of Use: Super simple and intuitive. 

Time Required: Minutes or days depending on the size of the transfer. 

Data Usage: Depends on your package deal but wifi won't impact your data usage. 

Wifi Network Needed: Yes, always recommended!

It's another file sharing app but this one includes networking features where users can chat with other users in the same network to make it even easier to send photos from iPhone to Android and vice versa. Again, this one can be across all different operating systems and there are no limits to file size. It further encrypts transfers, adding a level of security to your process. 

Capacity: All types of files (photos, video) 

Wifi Required: no but the device needs to be on the same wifi network 

Cloud Service Needed: no 

Good for large files: yes 

Cost: $9.99 per year for personal use and $49.99 per year for family use

We can't forget Zapya when exploring how to share pictures between iPhone and Android because you can literally share large files within seconds. It uses advanced technology that connects devices without using the internet. Similar to Feem v4, this is also a peer-to-peer networking application which is how you bypass the internet. Zapya also works across all the main operating systems and it's also useful for collaborating on large files, not just sending photos. 

Capacity: All types of files (photos, video) 

Wifi Required: No 

Cloud Service Needed: No 

Good for large files: Yes 

Cost: Free

This application is another peer-to-peer app but this one adds further encryption to guarantee security. Again, no need for cumbersome transfer processes or internet connection. In short, it's reliable and simple to use. 

Capacity: All types of files (photos, video) 

Wifi Required: No 

Cloud Service Needed: No 

Good for large files: Yes 

Cost: Free

This app from Apple is specifically designed to allow you to transfer photos from Android to iPhone. The app allows you to move everything including contacts, bookmarks, schedules, photos and videos in an easy and seamless way. 

Capacity: All types of files (photos, video) 

Wifi Required: Yes 

Cloud Service Needed: No 

Good for large files: Yes 

Cost: Free

This mobile application is designed for both Android and iPhone and is particularly useful when transferring data onto a new phone. As such, it also allows you to copy contacts, schedules and bookmarks as well as photos and videos. 

Capacity: All types of files (photos, video) 

Wifi Required: Yes 

Cloud Service Needed: No 

Good for large files: Yes 

Cost: Free

A Wondershare software application designed to recover lost data, but that can be useful when considering how to transfer photos from Android to iPhone. In addition to data recovery and file transfers, Dr. Fone also provides data backup and WhatsApp transfers. 

Capacity: All types of files (photos, video) 

Wifi Required: Yes 

Cloud Service Needed: No 

Good for large files: Yes 

Cost: Android toolkit costs $79.95 - Mac toolkit costs $99.95.

In this guide, we're going to focus on Zapya because it's currently ahead of the competition in terms of transfer speed. Nevertheless, when it comes to researching how to transfer pictures from iPhone to Android and Android to iPhone - be sure to read about each app to make an informed decision. 

When you share photos between iPhone and Android, or vice versa with the Zapya app, you'll find it's a simple process. Essentially, it uses a QR code system to transfer photos and videos between device operating systems without quality loss and without the need for an Internet connection. It’s kind of like Airdrop, but with QR codes. Here’s how the app works: 

How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Android on the Zapya App If you're doing the opposite, transferring photos from Android to iPhone, simply reverse the devices in the steps below. 

1. Enable receiving on your Android 

• Open Zapya on your Android 

• Click on the Transfer icon at the bottom 

• Click Allow Permissions and then tap Receive 

• The app will create a Wifi hotspot network, so no internet is required. 

• A QR Code will be displayed when it’s ready. 

2. Connect to your iPhone and transfer to your Android 

• Open Zapya on your iPhone device 

• Tap Scan at the top right 

• Scan the QR Code that’s displayed on your Android 

• Tap Allow Connection (you may need to open Wifi settings and connect to the hotspot manually) 

• Once both phones are connected, you can start transferring 

3.Transfer iPhone Photos and Videos 

• Select the Files tab on your iPhone, select your photos and videos to transfer 

• Click Send You can expect pictures and videos to be sent in original quality, compression-free. If you’re interested in Zapya but want to check out other apps, Send Anywhere and ShareIt can be good options as well.

Ease of Use: Highly intuitive 

Time Required: Up to 260 photos per minute 

Data Usage: None 

Wifi Network Needed: no

Where the system really shines is by using the app with the drive. You connect to the drive with your phone like any Wi-fi network. Once connected, the app displays how much storage is left and what devices are connected to the drive. It's well-organized, and navigating files and folders is straightforward. 

Even better than airdrops, the drive’s wifi connection reaches up to 150 feet in a direct line, slightly less if indoors and blocked by walls. You won’t need internet access or an internet connection during the transfer process so you can work from anywhere! 

The drive’s rechargeable battery provides a whopping 4.5 hours of continuous video streaming and only takes about two hours to recharge via the USB port. Just plug it in after use, and battery life should never be an issue. 

To transfer photos from iPhone to Android and vice versa, simply follow these steps: 

1. Download the app onto your mobile device and make sure your battery is fully charged 

2. Plug in the wireless stick with your USB cable adaptor and turn it on by pressing the power button 

3. Click on settings and click on wi-fi to then select "SanDisk connect" 

4. Open the wireless stick mobile app and you can simply select and save your photos and other files

Ease of Use: Simple and straightforward 

Time Required: Minutes to days depending on file size and wifi speed 

Data Usage: None because it uses a local wifi network 

Wifi Network Needed: Yes

When exploring how to transfer pictures from iPhone to Android and vice versa, it's worth bearing in mind that Huawei has a slightly different concept because the aim is to clone your phone. 

To transfer your data and everything else that your phone holds, follow these steps: 

1- Start the Huawei phone clone app on both devices 

2- On the new phone, click "this is the new phone" which brings up a QR code 

3- On the old phone, you also click on the old phone and you connect the devices through the QR code with your old phone's camera 

4- You'll then see a message that the devices are connected and you simply press "transfer"

Ease of Use: Simple 

Time Required: Minutes to hours depending file sizes. 

Data Usage: None 

Wifi Network Needed: Yes

We're going to run through the process of how to transfer Android photos to iPhone - keep in mind that to transfer photos from iPhone to Android, you simply reverse the devices in each step. 

How to Transfer Photos from Android to iPhone on PC: 

1. Transfer Photos from Android to PC 

• Use a USB cable to connect the phone to your PC 

• Use a photo app or File Explorer on Windows to transfer photos from Android to PC 

2. Transfer Photos from PC to iPhone 

• Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your PC 

• Use iTunes to sync photos from PC to iPhone. Select your phone in iTunes, choose 'sync photos', select the folder where you saved your Android photos, then sync. 

That's it! It's a simple process and now you have the chance to save a copy of the pictures to your PC for backup!

Ease of Use: Easy and intuitive. 

Time Required: Minutes to days depending on file size. 

Data Usage: None 

Wifi Network Needed: Yes

There are some quick-and-dirty methods for sending photos from iPhone to Android across devices, but they aren’t great for moving a large amount of photos or preserving high resolution. In a pinch, users can send themselves text messages via SMS or other social media apps— typically, though, those services will lower the resolution automatically. 

And while using a Windows PC or desktop computer isn’t a badge, it’s a more cumbersome way to transfer photos directly from one phone to another. We recommend sticking to the techniques described above to keep things moving as fast as possible and avoid any tech-caused headaches.

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