Share Files Between Android And iPhone – Easiest Way

How to share files between iPhone and Android easily

You want to share files between your Android and iPhone devices. There are many apps that you can download that will transfer files between Android and iPhones.  And you can open the file on your Android, modify it, then transfer it to an iPhone, modify it and then transfer it back to the Android, and so-on and so-on and so-on. 

Why do all those transfers back and forth when you can store the files in a centralized place where both the Android and iPhone devices can access.  Wow, is it really as easy as that? Share files between Android and iOS, transfer files from Android to iPhone. Share large files from Android to iPhone. Read on to discover how you can easily accomplish all these functions.

Share files between Android and iPhone on Google Drive

Yes it is, your Android phone probably already has an Gmail Google account associated with it.  The Google account includes free 15GB of Google Drive space.  If you are syncing your data between Google Drive and your Android device, then the files will already exist on Google Drive.

You can access the same files from Google Drive using your iPhone. Your iPhone can access your Google Drive by downloading and installing the Google Drive app. Go to the Apple Store and download Google Drive.  After installation, be sure to sign into Google Drive using the same Gmail account as you have on your Android device.  After Google Drive is set up, you can access all your sync’d files originated on your Android device or your iPhone device on the same Google Drive account. You don’t actually send files from device to device, you are sharing the same file from a centralized location.

For example, your iPhone can use a compatible app, such as Microsoft Word, to open a Word file on the Google Drive, modify it and save it back to the Google Drive.  Then your Android device can also use the same compatible app (Microsoft Word) to open the same file from Google Drive, modify it and save it back to Google Drive.

Sending files or transferring files from device to device are not necessary. You don’t need to transfer files from Android to iPhone or from iPhone to Android. And you also don’t need to send large files from Android to iPhone.

The files are stored in a centralized location which are accessible by both the iPhone device and the Android device. It is easy to share large files from Android to iPhone since the files actually never leaves the Google Drive. With either Android or iPhone, you are opening the file from Google Drive, modifying it, then saving the file back to Google Drive. Got it? Ok, good.

Share Photos and Videos between Android and iPhone

Photos and videos can easily be shared between Android and iPhone by using Google Photos. Install Google Photos on both devices and sign in using the same Google Account (Gmail email address). Connect your iPhone to Google photos with the same Google account as you are using on your Android phone. How to share photos between Android and iPhone?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)) about Sharing Files Between Android and iPhone

General:

• Does Android have AirDrop? No, there’s no built-in feature like AirDrop in Android. However, many file transfer apps offer similar functionality.
• Is it difficult to share files between Android and iPhone? Not necessarily! While it’s not as seamless as sharing within the same platform, several methods and apps make it quite easy.
• What’s the fastest way to share files? For small files, WIFI Direct apps like Send Anywhere or ShareIt offer fast file transfer without needing the internet. Bluetooth can also work, but speeds are slower. For larger files, cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox might be best.

Cloud Storage:

• Q: Which cloud storage services work for both Android and iPhone? A: Most major services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and iCloud work on both platforms. Upload your files to any of these, and your recipient can access them from their phone.
• Q: Is cloud storage secure? A: Most reputable services offer encryption and password protection for your files. However, be sure to choose a service with a good track record on security.

File Transfer Apps:

• Q: What are some good file transfer apps for Android and iPhone? A: Popular options include Snapdrop, Send Anywhere, ShareIt, Feem, and Pushbullet. They often offer direct transfer over WIFI or QR codes, making them fast and convenient.
• Q: Do these apps require an internet connection? A: Some like Snapdrop and Send Anywhere work directly between devices without the internet. Others like ShareIt rely on a local WIFI network.

Other Methods:

• Q: Can I use Bluetooth to share files? A: Yes, though it can be slower than other methods. Make sure both devices have Bluetooth enabled and are paired.
• Q: Can I email files to myself? A: Yes, though this is impractical for large files. Just attach the file to an email and send it to your own address.

Additional Tips:

• File size limitations: Check if the chosen method has any file size restrictions.
• Compatibility: Ensure the file format is compatible with both devices.
• Security: When using cloud storage or online apps, choose strong passwords and be mindful of sharing links with strangers.

Common Problems and Solutions for Sharing Files Between Android and iPhone

Problem: Files not appearing on receiving device.

Solutions:

• Android: Make sure “Media Transfer Protocol (MTP)” is enabled in your Android settings when using a USB cable.
• iPhone: Unlock your iPhone when connected to the Android device with a cable. Check if “Photos” app has access to your local network if using shared folders.
• Both: Restart both devices and try again.
• Cloud storage: Ensure the file upload has finished and check if sharing settings are correct.

Problem: Slow transfer speeds.

Solutions:

• Bluetooth: Move closer to each other and ensure no interference. Switch to WIFI Direct apps for faster speeds.
• WIFI: Use a strong and stable WIFI network. Disconnect other devices hogging bandwidth.
• Cloud storage: Upgrade your internet plan for faster upload/download speeds.

Problem: File format incompatibilities.

Solutions:

• Convert the file to a format compatible with both devices before sharing.
• Use apps that can handle various file formats like VLC or MX Player.
• Compress large files before sharing to reduce size and improve compatibility.

Problem: Security concerns with third-party apps.

Solutions:

• Use reputable file transfer apps with good reviews and privacy policies.
• Only share files with trusted individuals.
• Avoid downloading apps from unknown sources.
• Use cloud storage services with encryption and password protection.

Problem: Limited free storage in cloud services.

Solutions:

• Upgrade your cloud storage plan for more space.
• Use multiple cloud storage services to distribute files.
• Compress files before uploading to save space.
• Delete old files you no longer need.

Additional Tips:

• Check for device compatibility: Some features like AirDrop-like sharing might not work on all Android or iPhone models.
• Update your software: Ensure both devices have the latest software updates for optimal performance and compatibility.
• Consider your needs: Choose the sharing method that best suits your file size, speed requirements, and security concerns.

The best way to share photos between iPhone and Android is to store the photos from both devices in a common location. Best way to share photos between Android and iPhone.

If you still want to transfer files… How to transfer data between Android and iPhone?

You can also share Notes…How to share notes between Android, iOS and PCs?