Are you trying to send files through Bluetooth from your iPhone to an Android? While you won't be able to use Bluetooth or AirDrop to transfer files to an Android, there are still easy ways to get documents and photos to an Android. Free apps like Send Anywhere and Snapdrop work just like Bluetooth, except over Wi-Fi. We'll show you how to use these simple free apps to send files wirelessly from your iPhone to an Android, and give you some alternatives just in case Wi-Fi isn't available.
Using Send Anywhere
Install the Send Anywhere app on the Android and iPhone.
Send Anywhere lets you send photos, documents, and other files from an iPhone to an Android (and vice-versa) over Wi-Fi. It works just like using Bluetooth between Androids or AirDrop between iPhones, but relies on Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth technology.
- You can get Send Anywhere for your iPhone from the App Store, and for your Android from the Play Store.
- Both the iPhone and the Android will need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network to transfer files.
Open Send Anywhere on the iPhone and tap Send.
You’ll see this at the bottom-left corner.
- The first time you open Send Anywhere, follow the on-screen instructions to give the app permission to access your files.
Send one or more files and tap Send.
Now you’ll see a 6-digit code, as well as a scannable QR code.
Open Send Anywhere on the Android and tap Receive.
You’ll see a field into which you can type a key, as well as a link to scan a QR code.
Enter the 6-digit code on the Android or scan the QR code.
If you want to scan the QR code, tap the tiny QR code icon to open the camera, and then position the Android over the code on the iPhone to scan.
Tap Receive on the Android.
Once verified, the selected file(s) will transfer from the iPhone to the Android.
Using Snapdrop
Install Snapdrop on the Android.
Snapdrop is another great Bluetooth and AirDrop alternative that makes sharing files between platforms a breeze. While you won’t be installing Snapdrop on your iPhone, you’ll want to make sure it’s installed on the Android before you continue.
- You can get Snapdrop for Android from the Play Store.
- Both the iPhone and Android must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network to use Snapdrop.
Go to https://snapdrop.net in your iPhone’s web browser.
You can use Safari, Chrome, or any other browser to get there.
Open the Snapdrop app on the Android.
Once Snapdrop is open on both devices, you’ll each see a random name assigned to the other person’s device.
On the iPhone, tap the Android’s icon on the Snapdrop page.
A menu will expand.
Select a type of file to share.
If you want to share photos, tap . To send other types of files from your iPhone’s Files app, tap .
Select one or more files on the iPhone and tap Add.
This instantly sends the selected file(s) to the Android.
Tap Save on the Android to download the shared files.
The files are now saved to the Android.
Sharing Without Wi-Fi
If you’re not able to connect the iPhone and Android to the same Wi-Fi network, there are other ways to share files without Bluetooth.
These alternatives won’t feel as much like using Bluetooth or AirDrop as using Send Anywhere and Snapdrop, but they’ll work in a pinch.
- If the files you want to transfer aren’t too large, you can easily attach them to an email.
- Cloud services like Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, OneDrive, and iCloud all let you upload files from your iPhone and then share them with other people by sending links to the files.
- Smash is a great free option for sending larger and folders files to other platforms over the internet. Check it out at https://fromsmash.com.
- If you’re sending photos, open the Photos app, tap Select, tap the photos you want to share, and then tap the Share icon at the bottom-left. You can choose Messages app to text the photos, Mail to attach them to an email, or a social media app to add them to a post.
- To share a video, you can upload it to YouTube, mark it as unlisted, and share a link to the Android user so they can stream it online.