I wish I could transfer files from iPhone to Android or the other way around via Bluetooth so I don’t have to install any extra apps. Unfortunately, it does not work.
There are different ways you can transfer files between Android and iPhone. For example, you can attach the files and documents you want to share to an email and send it to yourself from Android or iPhone, then download the attached files to the other phone. You can use cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or One Drive to transfer files between the two devices. Simply upload the files to the cloud storage from one device and then download them to the other device. There are many third-party file transfer apps available that can also help you exchange files between Android and iPhone, such as SHAREit, Xender, and Send Anywhere.
Today, almost all Android smartphones come with a file manager, file browser or explorer. These file management tools are very helpful. For example, you can use them to copy, move, delete, rename files on mobile phones; some of them can even help users connect to a computer, server, other mobile devices for data transfer. We can find a lot of third party file explorer or manager on the App Store for iPhone, notably the Documents app, ES file manager, FileMaster and Owlfiles. These apps are designed with file management and transfer in mind. You can not only use it to manage all kinds of files on iPhone but also copy files between iPhone and PC, Mac, Android in an easier way.
In this article, we will describe how you can share files, such as photos, videos, music and more documents between iPhone and Android phones using ES File Explorer, Documents file manager, Xender and SHAREit file transfer. At the lower section of this post, we will also suggest other great file transfer apps that are free, cross-platform, powerful and easy to use.
Method 1. Transfer files between iPhone and Android over Wi-Fi
The ES File Explorer is a local and network file management tool that can help you manage files easily on iPhone and iPad. It comes with the built-in web transfer which turns your iPhone into a web server so you can access to it from Android or other devices or computers via the web.
In ES File Explorer app, tap on the Transfer from the bottom. Then choose WiFi Transfer, the web transfer address will be presented.
Please make sure that your Android phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi as your iPhone. Run a web browser on your Android phone to access this transfer address and start sharing files and documents between Android mobile and iPhone over Wi-Fi.
Method 2. Transfer files between Android and iPhone over WiFi using Documents
Documents by Readdle is a very popular file manager, media player and web browser app for iOS. Readdle is a well-known software development company that has been in the business for many years, and their apps are widely used and appreciated for their functionality. You can download and use it for free(with in-app purchases).
To transfer files between your iPhone and other devices or computers using the Documents app by Readdle, you can follow these steps.
Make sure your iPhone and the Android phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Open the Documents app on your iPhone. Tap on the icon at the top left corner to access its Control Center.
Choose Start WebDAV Server from its Control Center. Then tap on Start WebDAV Server button to enable the local file server on your iPhone. You’ll then get the file server address.
On the Android mobile, launch a web browser to access the above WebDAV server. Before the Android phone gets access to your iPhone files, the Documents app displays a verification code on your iPhone.
Enter the above verification code in the web browser on Android to access the file server on iPhone. You can then browse, preview and download files, such as videos, photos, PDF and more documents, from iPhone to Android mobile. Navigate to the folder containing the files you want to transfer. Select and download files from iPhone to Android device. To transfer files from the Android to iPhone, tap the Upload Files button on the web interface. Select the files you want to upload from your Android phone and confirm the upload. Once the files sent to iPhone, you can find them in the Documents app, optionally choose to save or copy them to other apps on your iPhone.
Method 3. Share files between Android and iPhone over Hotspot using SHAREit
Documents is file manager app that comes with file sharing feature. In fact, we have several cross-platform file-sharing apps designed for various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. And some of them actually work very well with file sharing between Android and iPhone. SHAREit is a good example. SHAREit is available on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. With this free app on your PC, iPhone or Android phone, you can easily transfer files, including photos, videos, music, and documents, between your mobile phones and/or computers.
Here are some key advantages of the SHAREit app:
- It supports file transfers between different platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.
- The app utilizes Wi-Fi Direct technology for file transfer, allowing for faster speeds. This makes it efficient for transferring large files, such as videos and high-resolution photos.
- No internet connection or Wi-fi network required. Users can transfer files using various connection methods, including direct Wi-Fi connection, QR code scanning, or by creating and joining a hotspot.
- It supports the transfer of various file types, including photos, videos, music, documents, and more.
Download and install the SHAREit app or its Lite version from the respective app store on your phone (Google Play Store for Android or App Store for iOS).
Step 1. Connect Android and iPhone over hotspot
Launch the SHAREit app on your Android phone. Tap on the Add(+ in a circle) button at the top right corner. Then choose Connect to iOS from the drop-down menu. The file sharing app will then create the WiFi hotspot on Android phone automatically and present the QR code on your phone screen.
Launch the SHAREit app on your iPhone. Tap on Add button at the upper right section, choose Scan QR Code from the expanded menu. It will then open your camera on iPhone so you can point to your Android phone screen to scan the provided QR code and connect up both phones.
Step 2. Copy files between iPhone and Android
Once connected, you will can browse to your files, such as photos, videos, music and more on the Android phone and send them to the iPhone.
Once the file transfer begins, the progress will be displayed on both iPhone and Android. You’ll receive a notification as well on both devices when the transfer is complete.
To send files from iPhone to Android mobile, simply tap on the Send button at the bottom. Then choose the files or content you want to share from your Photo albums, contacts list, music library and more and send them to the Android phone.
Method 4. Send files between iPhone & Android over Hotspot using Xender
Xender is another popular file-sharing application that allows users to transfer files between devices quickly and easily. It’s similar to SHAREit and serves as a tool for cross-platform file transfers.
To use Xender to share files between an Android device and an iPhone, follow these steps:
Go and have the Xender app installed on both phones from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store respectively.
Launch the Xender app on your Android device. Tap on the Transfer button at the bottom, then choose Send option. Xender will create a hotspot and display the QR code on your phone screen.
Launch the Xender app on your iPhone. Tap on the Add button at the top right corner then choose Connect Android. The transfer app will open the camera on your iPhone. Point it to the QR code on your Android mobile to connect them up.
Once both devices are connected, you’ll see the Android device listed on the iPhone and vice versa. Browse to the file types from the top, then choose the files you want to share on the sender’s device and tap on the Send button to start the file transfer.
More free phone transfer options
There are many third-party apps available on the App Store that allow you to transfer files between an iPhone and iPad. Except Es File Explorer, Documents by Readdle, you can also choose other file managers or explorers, such as FileMaster for iOS. They all support file transfer over HTTP or web.
Specialized file sharing apps are generally optimized for device connection with user-friendly interface and straightforward design. They are suitable for bulk file sharing. In addition to SHAREit and Xender, here are more popular file sharing apps for Android, iPhone and iPad:
Send Anywhere
A popular file transfer app that allows you to send files of any type and size directly between devices without any internet connection.
Zapya File Sharing
A professional file-sharing app designed to facilitate quick and easy file transfers between devices. Like SHAREit and Xender, Zapya utilizes Wi-Fi Direct technology to establish a direct connection between devices, allowing users to transfer files without the need for an internet connection.