The transition from Android to iPhone 13 is not only a change of ecosystem, but also the need to transfer personal data. Photos often become the main headache: how to save all the pictures without losing quality, without spending hours on it? The problem is aggravated by the fact that Apple and Google use different formats for storing media files, and standard methods like Bluetooth here are useless due to limitations iOS.

In this article we will look into 5 proven methods photo transfer - from official tools Apple to workarounds with cloud services. We will pay special attention saving metadata (dates of shooting, geotags) and process optimization for large libraries (10,000+ photos). All methods have been tested on iPhone 13/13 Pro s iOS 17+ and current versions Android 12-14.

⚠️ Important: If you have iPhone 13 with factory firmware (never activated), use method No. 1 ("Move to iOS") before the first setup devices. After activation, this method will no longer be available!

1. Official method: Apple's "Move to iOS" application

This is the only method that Apple recommends for transferring data right during setup new iPhone. The application transfers not only photos, but also contacts, messages, mail and even some settings. However, it works only once the first time you activate the device.

How to do it:

  • 📱 On Androiddevice download "Move to iOS" from Google Play (developer - Apple Inc.).
  • 🔄 On iPhone 13 start the setup process. On the screen "Applications and data" select "Transfer data from Android".
  • 🔢 On Android enter the 6- or 10-digit code that appears on iPhone.
  • 📸 Select "Gallery" (and other data if necessary) and wait for the photo to appear in. application "Photo" on iPhone.

⚠️ Attention: If the transfer is interrupted, the process will have to start again. When transferring more than 50 GB photos use 5 GHz Wi-Fi - on 2.4 GHz the connection may drop out.

Charge on both phones > 50%|Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network|Free up space on the iPhone (photos will take up the same amount as on Android)|Turn off VPN on both devices-->

Transfer speed depends on the volume data:

Photo volumeApproximate timeRecommendations
1–5 GB10–30 minutesAny Wi-Fi network will do
5–20 GB1–3 hoursUse 5 GHz or connect Android to charging
20–50 GB3–6 hoursCarry at night, do not use the phone
50+ GB6+ hoursBreak into pieces or use cloud (method No. 3)

2. Fast sharing: AirDrop + workarounds for Android

AirDrop is a proprietary technology Apple for instant file transfer between ecosystem devices. Unfortunately, it is not directly supported, but there are workarounds. The most reliable option is to use the application (works through a browser). It imitates Android It doesn't support it directly, but there are workarounds.

The most reliable option is to use the application "Snapdrop" (works via browser). It imitates AirDrop the principle of a P2P connection:

  • 🌐 Open the website on both phones snapdrop.net (does not require installation).
  • 📱 Make sure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • 🖼️ On Android select a photo in the gallery → "Share" → "Snapdrop".
  • 📲 On iPhone 13 confirm receipt of files.

⚠️ Attention: Snapdrop does not save folder structure and metadata (geotags, dates). To transfer more than 100 photos at a time, use archiving (.zip) before sending.

Cloud services (Google Photos, iCloud)|Direct transfer (cable, Wi-Fi)|Applications like SHAREit|Manual transfer (memory card, computer)-->

3. Cloud services: Google Photos vs iCloud

Cloud storage is a universal method, but with nuances. Google Photos more convenient for Androidand iCloud is better integrated with iPhone. Let's consider both options.

3.1. Via Google Photos (saves metadata)

  • ☁️ On Android open "Google Photos" → "Photo" → select pictures → "Export" → "Save to Google Drive".
  • 📱 On iPhone 13 install "Google Photos" from App Store and log in to the same account.
  • 🔄 Enable "Autoload and synchronization" in the application settings.
  • 📥 Photos will be uploaded to "Photo" on iPhone (may take up to 24 hours for large libraries).

3.2. Via iCloud (optimal for long-term storage)

  • 🖥️ On Android open the browser and go to iCloud.com (log in with Apple ID).
  • 📁 Select "Photo" → "Download" and add files.
  • 📱 On iPhone 13 check that the Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Photos option is enabled "iCloud Photos".

⚠️ Attention: Free storage iCloud - only 5 GB To transfer 20+ GB of photos you will have to buy space (from $0.99 per). 50 GB/month) or use Google Photos.

What to do if photos in iCloud are not synchronized?

1. Check your Wi-Fi connection (iCloud does not sync via mobile data).

2. Restart your iPhone (hold the power button + any of the volume buttons).

3. In Settings → iCloud → Photos disable and enable again "iCloud Photo".

4. If the photos still do not appear, try uploading them manually via iCloud.com from your computer.

4. Direct transmission via cable (without a computer)

If you do not have access to Wi-Fi or clouds, you can use direct connection via cable. To do this you will need:

  • 🔌 Lightning adapter → USB-C (if you have Android connector USB-C) or Lightning → USB-A (for Micro-USB).
  • 📱 Cable for connecting Android to the adapter (usually included with the phone).
  • 📲 Application "File Explorer" or "Documents by Readdle" on iPhone.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Connect Android to iPhone 13 via the adapter.
  2. On Android select mode in the notification bar "File transfer" (or "MTP").
  3. On iPhone open "Documents by Readdle" → "Connected devices".
  4. Go to folder DCIM → Camera (or another folder with photos) and copy the files to memory iPhone.

⚠️ Attention: This method does not save photo metadata (shooting date, geotags). To restore them, after transfer, use applications like "Exif Viewer" (available in App Store).

adb devices

If the device is displayed, use adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ to copy photos to your PC, and then transfer them to iPhone via iTunes.-->

5. Transfer via computer (most reliable for large volumes)

If you need to transfer tens of thousands of photos without the risk of loss of quality, the computer remains the most stable option. Suitable for both Windowsand Mac.

5.1. On Windows

  • 🖥️ Connect Android to the PC via USB and select the mode "File transfer".
  • 📁 Copy photo folders (usually DCIM, Pictures) to your hard drive.
  • 📱 Connect iPhone 13 to the PC, open iTunes (or Finder to Mac) and transfer the photo via "File sharing".

5.2. On Mac

  • 🍎 Connect Android to Mac via USB.
  • 📂 Use "Android File Transfer" (download from site Google) to access files.
  • 📤 Drag photos to the folder on Mac, then import them into "Photo" on iPhone via AirDrop or iCloud Drive.

⚠️ Attention: When copying via iTunes photos will be saved in the application "Photo", but not in original resolutionif the option is enabled "Optimize iPhone storage". To avoid compression, disable it in Settings → Photo.

💡

Computer is the only transfer method that is guaranteed to preserve all metadata (including editing in Google Photos) and folder structure. Suitable for professional photographers and large archives.

6. Alternative methods: applications from third-party developers

If standard methods are not suitable, you can use specialized applications. We tested the three most reliable:

ApplicationSpeedSaves metadataLimitations
Send Anywhere⚡ Fast (up to 10 MB/s)❌ NoLimit 10 GB at a time
SHAREit⚡⚡ Very fast❌ NoAdvertising, requires permission to access files
Feem⚡ Fast✅ Yes (partially)Paid version for transfer >5 GB

How to use "Send Anywhere" (recommended for transfer up to 500 photo):

  1. Install the application on both phones.
  2. On Android select a photo → "Send" → generate a 6-digit code.
  3. On iPhone 13 enter this code in the "Get" field.

⚠️ Attention: Applications like SHAREit often request redundant permissions (for example, access to contacts). Before installation, check reviews in App Store/Google Play for data leaks.

Common problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, errors may occur. Let's look at the most common ones:

  • Photos are not transferred via "Move to iOS":
    — Make sure that iPhone there is enough space (check in Settings → General → iPhone Storage).
    —Disable "Traffic Saver" in the Wi-Fi settings on Android.
  • iPhone does not see Android via cable:
    — Try a different cable (original from Android).
    — On Android in Settings → System → For developers turn on "USB debugging".
  • Photos in iCloud are duplicated:
    — Disable "Photo Stream" on Settings → Photo on iPhone.
    — Remove duplicates via "Recent" → "Select" → "Hide similar".

If none of the methods worked, try convert photos in a universal format (.JPEG or .PNG) using applications like "Image Converter" before transfer.

Is it possible to transfer photos from Android to iPhone 13 without losing quality?

Yes, if you use direct transmission via cable (method No. 4) or cloud services (method No. 3). In this case:

  • 🔹 Google Photos preserves original quality if you have Google One (paid subscription) or a place in a free one storage.
  • 🔹 iCloud does not compress photos, but only 5 GB is available for free.
  • 🔹 When transferred via Move to iOS quality is maintained, but metadata (geotags) may be lost.
Why on iPhone 13 photos are not displayed in chronological order?

This is due to differences in metadata processing Solutions:

  1. Open the photo in "Photo" on iPhone → click "Edit" → "Date and time" and correct manually.
  2. Use the application "Exif Metadata" for bulk editing date.
  3. Transfer the photo via a computer (method No. 5) - this preserves the original metadata.
How to transfer a photo from Android to iPhone 13 if there is no space on the phone?

Options:

  • 🔸 Transfer the photo to Google Photos (method No. 3), then delete them from Android after checking on iPhone.
  • 🔸 Use external drive (flash drive with Lightning-connector) for temporary storage.
  • 🔸 Archive photos in .zip and transfer in parts (for example, 5 GB).

⚠️ Do not delete photos from Androiduntil make sure they are fully loaded on iPhone!

Is it possible to transfer photos from Android to iPhone 13 via Bluetooth?

Technically yes, but it is extremely inefficient:

  • 🐢 Transfer speed - ~1-2 MB/s (100 photos per 3 MB = 5–10 minutes).
  • 🚫 iOS limit the reception of files via Bluetooth (maximum ~50 photos at a time).
  • 📉 Quality may deteriorate due to compression.

Use Bluetooth only for 1-2 pictures. For the rest, choose other methods from this article.

How to transfer photos from an old iPhone to iPhone 13 if they were previously copied from Android?

If the photos were already on another iPhone, use standard tools Apple:

  1. Quick Start: When setting up iPhone 13 bring the old one iPhone and follow the transfer instructions.
  2. iCloud: Make sure that the option "iCloud Photos" is enabled on both devices.
  3. Computer: Connect both iPhone to Mac/PC, copy the photo via Finder/iTunes, then synchronize with iPhone 13.

⚠️ If the photos were transferred from Android via Move to iOS, they should already be in iCloud and will automatically appear on the new one iPhone when entering the same Apple ID.