If you’ve ever tried to move photos or videos from an iPhone to an Android phone, you know it’s kind of a hassle. Apple and Google just don’t make this stuff seamless. Most folks end up frustrated with blurry uploads, limited attachment sizes, or simply not knowing what’s the quickest way to get their media transferred without juggling cables or multiple apps. The goal here is to find a method that actually works, doesn’t crash halfway, and keeps your media safe. So, whether it’s just a few photos or a whole bunch of videos, these are some solid ways based on real-world experience to make the transfer smoother.
How to Fix Photo Transfer Issues Between iPhone and Android
Transfer Photos from iPhone to Android via PC (Windows or Mac)
This method helps because it’s straightforward — you’re using your computer as a middleman. It’s good if you’ve got a lot of media to move or want full control over where your photos go. Basically, you connect both devices to your PC, import from the iPhone, then copy over to Android. It’s reliable, but a little manual, so get ready for some cable plugging and folder browsing.
- Start by connecting your iPhone to your PC with a Lightning cable. Make sure you unlock it and tap Trust.
- Depending on your OS and iPhone model, on Windows, open the Photos app via the Start menu. On Mac, launch Image Capture or use the Photos app.
- If you’re on Windows, in Photos, click the Import button – usually located at the top right corner. Select From a connected device and pick the photos you want. On Mac, use Image Capture to select your iPhone and choose where to save files.
- After transferring to your PC/Mac, disconnect the iPhone and connect your Android device via USB. Make sure your Android’s USB settings are set to File Transfer.
- Navigate to the folder where the photos got saved. Usually it’s in your Pictures folder or a subfolder you picked during import.
- Select the photos, right-click, and choose Copy. Then, open your Android device’s folder from your PC (it should appear as a portable device).
- Drop those photos into your Android’s DCIM or any other folder you like. Done. Easy, but yeah, it requires some cable juggling.
Transfer Photos from iPhone to Android Using Google Drive
This is a decent approach if you don’t mind waiting for uploads and downloads. It’s handy because it works wirelessly, and no cables are needed — just a solid internet connection. The trick is to upload your photos from the iPhone to Google Drive, then download them to your Android. Just be aware that larger albums might take some time to sync, especially if your internet isn’t blazing fast.
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone. Select the pics you want to send — you can do multiple at once.
- Tap the Share icon in the bottom left corner — that’s the box with an arrow coming out of it. Then choose Google Drive.
- Upload to a specific folder, or just let them go into your main Drive folder. Patience — some photos might glitch if you have a lot at once, so don’t go crazy.
- Switch to your Android device, open the Google Drive app, and locate that folder. Tap to open, then select the images you want to keep locally.
- Tap the three dots in the corner, and pick Download. Your photos will be saved to your device’s storage. It’s kind of a pain if you have hundreds, but it’s reliable.
Use Google Photos for Seamless Syncing
This method is probably the smoothest if you’re already into Google’s ecosystem. Google Photos automatically syncs your snaps across devices, so entering your Google account on both your iPhone and Android means you can access everything without manually copying files. Not sure why it works, but on some setups, it’s like magic. Just keep in mind that high-quality sync takes up Google Drive storage unless you choose “Original Quality, ” which counts against your quota.
- Open Google Photos on your iPhone, sign in, and enable backup & sync — you’ll see that option during setup. On iPhone, go to Settings > Backup & Sync.
- Depending on the size of your library, uploading can take a while — on one setup it worked fast, on another, it was slow as molasses. After it’s uploaded, open Google Photos on your Android device. All your iPhone shots should be there.
- To download, just select photos, tap the three-dot menu, and hit Download. Easy to browse and organized, too.
Send Photos & Videos by Email
If it’s just a handful of media, email can actually work — even if it’s kinda old school. Just watch that attachment size, because most email providers have limits (Gmail’s around 25MB, Apple’s Mail is about 20MB).Works best for small batches of photos or videos, not for entire albums.
- Open Mail on your iPhone, start a new message, and tap Insert Photos or Videos — typically via the paperclip icon or the plus sign on some email clients.
- Select what you want to send, then hit Send.
- On your Android, open that email, download the attachments, and save them to your device. It’s super simple, but limited by email attachment size.
Transfer with Send Anywhere (Third-Party App)
Honestly, this app is pretty solid if you wanna avoid cables or having to fiddle with Google Drive. It’s fast, and it uses a PIN or QR code for security. Kind of weird to rely on an app, but over the years, it’s proven to be reliable for transferring a handful of photos quickly.
- Download & install Send Anywhere on both phones.
- Open it on your iPhone, tap Send, then choose Photos. Pick the ones you want to send.
- Tap Send, and the app will generate a PIN and a QR code.
- On your Android, open Send Anywhere, tap Receive, then scan the QR code or enter the PIN.
All in all, these methods cover most needs — cables, cloud, or apps. Usually, it comes down to how much you have to transfer and your internet speed. The cable route is fast for big batches, but cloud options give more flexibility without messing with cords.