How to transfer photos from Android to iOS: a complete guide 2026

Instructions without a computer (direct connection):

1. Connect Android to iPhone via an adapter. On Android select mode File transfer (MTP).
2. On iPhone open the application Files → tab Review → find your Android in the section Devices.
3. Go to the folder DCIM → Camera (or another where photos are stored) and copy the files to memory iPhone.

If iPhone does not see Android:

• Try another cable/adapter (cheap ones often do not support data transfer).
• On Android enable USB debugging (Settings → About phone → Build number (7 taps) → For developers).
• Reboot both devices.

⚠️ Attention: Some adapters USB-C → Lightning only support charging, but not data transfer. Before purchasing, check the description (look for the phrase “OTG support” or “data transfer”).

3. “Move to iOS” application: the official method from Apple

Apple has developed a special application "Move to iOS"** (Move to iOSthat helps to transfer data from the old Android to the new iPhone or iPad. It copies not only photos, but also contacts, messages, accounts. However, the method has limitations:

• ❌ Works only with initial setup iPhone (if the device is already configured, you will have to reset).
• ❌ Not all photo formats are supported (for example, .HEIC from iOS to Android will be transferred, but not back).
• ❌ Requires Wi-Fi direct connection (not through a router).

How to use:

1. On Android download Move to iOS from Play Market.
2. On iPhone when setting up, select Transfer data from Android.
3. On Android open the application, accept the terms and enter the code that will appear on iPhone.
4. Select Photos and video (you can also transfer contacts, messages, bookmarks).
5. Wait for completion (do not interrupt the connection!).

If the transfer is stuck:

• 🔄 Restart both devices and try again.
• 📶 Disconnect Mobile data on Android —they can interfere Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🔋 Make sure there is enough space on iPhone (the app will show you the amount required before you start).

⚠️ Attention: If you transfer photos from Android 13+, the app may ask for access permission to All files (and not just to media). This is normal - without this right, it will not be able to copy pictures.

4. Cloud services: Dropbox, OneDrive, Yandex Disk

If Google Photos for some reason it is not suitable, you can use other cloud storages. Main advantages:

• ✅ Works on any device.
• ✅ You can share folders via a link (convenient if you are transferring photos to a friend).
• ✅ Some services (for example, Yandex Disk) give bonuses for installing the application.

Cons: free space is limited (usually 5-15 GB), and large files take a long time to download.

Comparison of services:

Instructions using an example Yandex Disk:

1. On Android install Yandex Disk and log into your account.
2. Enable in the settings Auto-upload photos or manually select files for downloads.
3. On iPhone install the same application, log in to your account and download photos to the gallery.

If the photos are not downloaded on iPhone:

• 📲 Check if there are enough space on the device.
• 🔒 In settings iOS allow Yandex Disk access to photos (Settings → Privacy → Photo).
• 🔄 Try downloading files through the browser (open disk.yandex.ru to Safari).

5. Messengers: Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber

The easiest way to transfer several photos is to send them via messenger. However, this method has serious problems limitations:

• ❌ Quality compression: most messengers reduce photo resolution (for example, WhatsApp compresses to 1600×1200).
• ❌ Quantity limit: in one message you can send no more than 10-30 photos (depending on the application).
• ❌ Size limit: Telegram allows you to send files up to 2 GB, and Viber only up to 200 MB.

Which messenger to choose:

• 📎 Telegram: the best option - there are no size restrictions (up to 2 GB per file), you can create albums. Use Save to gallery on iPhoneso that the photos do not disappear after deleting the chat.
• 💬 WhatsApp: convenient if you already communicate with the recipient, but the quality will be worse. To transfer originals, use the function Document (file attachment, not photo).
• 🔵 Viber: suitable for quick transfer, but compresses photos more than others.

adb devices # Checking device connection
adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ ~/Downloads/android_photos # Copying the DCIM folder to your computer

import os
import subprocess

Connecting to Android
subprocess.run(["adb", "pull", "/sdcard/DCIM/", "./android_photos"])

Here you can add code for downloading to iPhone (for example, via the iCloud API)
print("Photo copied!")