# How to Send Files from an iPhone to an Android Phone

AirDrop is built for Apple devices, so most Android phones cannot receive from it. The quickest replacement is to open sharelargefilesfree.com/send-via-wifi in a browser on both phones and send directly over Wi-Fi, with no app and no size limit.

_Source: https://sharelargefilesfree.com/send-files-from-iphone-to-android · Updated 2026-10-01_

**Quick answer:** To send files from an iPhone to an Android phone, open sharelargefilesfree.com/send-via-wifi in Safari on the iPhone and Chrome on the Android, tap the other phone and send: files go directly between the two over Wi-Fi in original quality, with no app, account or size limit. If the phones are not together, upload the files and share a download link instead (up to 20 GB).

## Why AirDrop and Quick Share do not simply work together

AirDrop is Apple's own system and, on the iPhone, it only finds other Apple devices. Android's equivalent, Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share), works between Android phones, Chromebooks and Windows PCs, but there is no Quick Share app for the iPhone, and only a few recent Google Pixel models can swap files with AirDrop directly. Google has started adding AirDrop compatibility to Quick Share on some recent Pixel models; if you have one, check your phone's Quick Share settings, but most Android phones cannot receive from AirDrop.

That leaves cloud apps, chat apps and browser-based transfers. Chat apps are the trap: WhatsApp and similar apps usually compress photos and videos sent from the gallery, and texting a video from iMessage to an Android number shrinks it further.

## iPhone to Android methods compared

| Method | Best for | Size | Quality | Needs |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Send via Wi-Fi (this site) | Two phones in the same place | No limit, only free space on the Android | Original | A browser on both phones, same Wi-Fi or hotspot |
| Download link (this site) | Phones in different places, any file type | Up to 20 GB per transfer | Original | A browser |
| Google Photos | Your own photo library on both phones | Your Google storage | Original or reduced, depending on backup setting | Google Photos on the iPhone, same Google Account |
| Google Drive | Documents and files you want to keep online | Your Google storage (15 GB free, shared) | Original | Google Drive app, a Google Account |
| WhatsApp, RCS or MMS | A quick photo to a friend | Varies by app | Usually compressed | The app on both phones |

## Send via Wi-Fi: step by step

1. **Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi.** No Wi-Fi? Turn on the iPhone's Personal Hotspot (with mobile data on) and join it from the Android.
2. **Open [sharelargefilesfree.com/send-via-wifi](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/send-via-wifi)** in Safari on the iPhone and in Chrome on the Android. No app or account is needed.
3. **Find the other phone.** Each device appears with a name, an animal avatar and details such as "Android · Chrome".
4. **On the iPhone, tap the Android phone** and choose files from Photo Library or Browse (the Files app).
5. **On the Android, tap Accept.** The files go straight from one browser to the other over an encrypted connection and are never stored on a server.
6. **Keep both pages open and the screens on** until it finishes. The files land in the Android's Downloads folder, where Google Photos and the Files app can see them.

![Send via Wi-Fi showing a nearby device with its name, avatar, model and browser and a Tap to send files button](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/assets/img/guides/wifi-devices.jpg?v=1791899187)

If the phones are on different networks, show the 6-digit code on one phone and type it (or scan the QR code) on the other. On shared office or café Wi-Fi, tap _Create a private room_ so only people with your link can see you.

## Send a download link instead

When the Android phone is somewhere else, or its owner will download later, a link is easier:

1. On the iPhone, open the [homepage](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/) in Safari and add up to 1000 files, 20 GB in total.
2. Tap _Get a link_ and keep Safari open until the upload finishes.
3. Send the link by text or chat, or let the other person type the short [download code](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/download-code-receive-files) at /receive on their Android.

The link expires after 1 day. You can add a password, and several files download together as one ZIP.

## Native routes: Google Photos, Google Drive and switching phones

**Google Photos** suits moving your own pictures:

1. Install Google Photos on the iPhone and sign in with the Google Account used on the Android.
2. Turn on backup and allow access to all photos. Check the backup quality setting if you want originals.
3. Wait for the upload to finish on Wi-Fi, then open Google Photos on the Android.

**Google Drive** works the same way for documents: upload from the Drive app or the Files app on the iPhone, then open Drive on the Android. Both count against your Google storage.

**Moving to a new Android phone?** During setup, Android offers to copy data from an iPhone, either with a cable or through Google's Switch to Android app on the iPhone, and Samsung phones offer Smart Switch. These move contacts, photos and messages in one go, but they are for setting up a phone, not for sending a few files to a friend.

## Which should you use?

Phones side by side: use [Send via Wi-Fi](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/send-via-wifi), which has no size limit and sends at local network speed. Phones apart, or a recipient who is not online right now: a download link. Your whole photo library onto your own new Android: the setup copy tool or Google Photos. A quick snapshot where quality does not matter: any chat app.

Going the other way? See [sending files from Android to iPhone](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/send-files-from-android-to-iphone), or the wider [AirDrop alternative](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/airdrop-alternative) guide.

_Share Large Files Free is independent and is not affiliated with Apple, Google or Samsung. iPhone and AirDrop are trademarks of Apple Inc.; Android, Google Photos, Google Drive and Quick Share are trademarks of Google LLC; Smart Switch is a trademark of Samsung._

## Troubleshooting

- **The phones do not see each other.** Check both are on the same Wi-Fi, not one on mobile data. Guest and company networks often block devices from talking to each other; use the iPhone's hotspot or the 6-digit code instead.
- **The hotspot connects but nothing appears.** Both phones need internet to find each other, so leave mobile data on for the hotspot.
- **The transfer stops partway.** iOS pauses background tabs. Keep Safari in front and the screen on until it completes.
- **The video will not play on Android.** iPhones record HEVC by default and some older Android phones cannot play it. Use the [MOV to MP4](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/mov-to-mp4) tool, or set _Settings > Camera > Formats > Most Compatible_ for future videos.
- **Photos arrive as HEIC.** Recent Android versions open HEIC, but some apps do not. Convert copies with the [HEIC to JPG](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/heic-to-jpg) tool.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I AirDrop from an iPhone to an Android phone?

Not on most phones. AirDrop finds Apple devices only, apart from limited compatibility Google has added on some recent Pixels. Use Send via Wi-Fi in a browser instead.

### Is there a size limit for iPhone to Android over Wi-Fi?

No. Send via Wi-Fi has no file size or file count limit; only the free space on the Android phone matters.

### Do I need to install an app on either phone?

No. Safari on the iPhone and Chrome or another browser on the Android are enough.

### Will my videos lose quality?

Not with Send via Wi-Fi or a download link, which deliver the original file. Chat apps usually compress videos sent from the gallery.

### How do I move everything to a new Android phone?

Use the copy-data option during Android setup, Google's Switch to Android app, or Samsung Smart Switch on a Samsung phone.