8 essential Android to iOS file-transfer tips

Hither are 8 means Android and iPhone/iOS users tin share files with each other, including online and off-line services, apps, and storage products.

Apple, iPhone, iOS, Android, file transfer, Mac
Jason Cross/IDG

When it comes to using the Android or iOS platform, everybody seems to have chosen sides — but living in a multi-platform earth means we need to share files occasionally. Here are 8 ways Android and iPhone/iOS users tin can share files with each other.

1. Use e-mail

Sending files using email remains the easiest mode to share items with others; however, this isn't always the most effective selection if:

  • Yous don't know a person'due south electronic mail address
  • You lot can't get online
  • You are sharing very large files
  • Yous are sharing sensitive information, such every bit customer records.

Fortunately, there are lots of other means to share data betwixt the two platforms.

2. Employ an app to share locally

In that location are numerous cantankerous-platform apps you can use to share files betwixt iOS and Android devices. Here are some apps to try:

SHAREit

SHAREit lets you share files offline between Android and iOS devices, then long as both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open the app, select the item you wish to share, and wait for the device you want to send a file to, which must have receive mode switched on in the app. This useful solution is too available for Mac and Windows.

Feem

Feem creates a local Wi-Fi network. Both the iPhone and Android device must install and run Feem for it to work, every bit well every bit create a user name. To share files, you must manually write the other person's user name and y'all tin begin to share files betwixt the platforms. It supports Mac, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux.

Instashare

Instashare: Another solution that works over a local Wi-Fi network, Instashare apps are available for both iOS and Android. The style it works will seem familiar to most iOS users, every bit it'south very like AirDrop. Information technology is likewise available for Mac and Windows.

FileTransfer

From Delite Studio, File Transfer for iOS ($i.99) and File Transfer for Android: These two apps piece of work together to share. You don't need to do annihilation to set the systems up, and the user interface is very simple to use, though a local Wi-Fi network is one time over again used to share files. Mac and Windows are as well supported.

Zapya

Another good app that lets you share files over a local Wi-Fi hotspot between Android, iOS and other platforms, Zapya is as well laden with other handy features such as QR code sharing, a feature that lets you utilize a remote camera to accept images and more.

3. Apply an app to share semi-locally

ShareDrop lets yous share files betwixt platforms through an AirDrop-like user interface. It is a lilliputian compromised in that while file transfers take place locally, they do crave an internet connection to work. That's because you need to access the service website and select the avatar of the person you lot wish to share files with. Later that, the app kicks in on your device. Your data is never actively uploaded to the spider web unless you wish to use the service to share with a device that is not on your local Wi-Fi network.

Send Anywhere is a flexible, simple, and free service that lets y'all share items using a link by uploading and downloading them, as well equally locally betwixt two devices in an AirDrop-like manner, using a 6-digit lawmaking to secure the exchange.

4. Use an online storage service

Apple has fabricated iCloud Drive a more constructive file-sharing service, simply for an easier life when working cross-platform, you will probably cull to use Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, or Google Drive. (Others may include Egnyte and SugarSync.) Once you create an account, each service lets you upload files to your file storage service and you tin can and then share those items with others and other platforms by sending a link to that item.

5. Employ an online file-transfer service

If yous don't mind uploading your data to services you lot have little command of, in that location are many online services that allow you share files with others. These let yous upload items temporarily to their service (encrypted during the transfer), and when they finally are uploaded, the person you wish to share the particular with receives a link to download it. Some of the ones I utilise nearly include Mailbigfile, WeTransfer, TransferNow, and WeSendit. In most cases, these services will allow you to send/share a file up to 2GB-4GB in size. Links created will be kept available merely for limited time.

6. Utilise a wireless storage solution

I like the SanDisk Connect USB stick (capacity upwards to 256G). It's like whatever other USB retention stick, but includes a built-in Wi-Fi receiver that works with an app on your iPhone or Android device to transfer files. See it as a kind of middle manager for file transfers — upload to the stick from ane platform and download content from the device on another platform. It's quite good for groups, as information technology can share items with multiple devices simultaneously. You lot tin can as well employ it to automatically support things such every bit photos and videos. If you take your own NAS system, you may besides want to utilize that, though some Android users may likewise need to apply software such as qnap to access the volume.

7. Use a Mac

The least elegant and most cumbersome way to share data, Android File Transfer and a Mac to bandy files between iOS (iCloud Bulldoze/iTunes) and an Android device. When installed, Android File Transfer lets you take a await at the files on a connected Android device. You can and so add together and excerpt those files to your iOS device using elevate & drop and iCloud. Another option is to utilise Handshaker, which has a nicer user interface.

8. Use a personal private cloud

You can buy off-the-shelf solutions that will back upward your Mac and allow you to share files with others online, without using a tertiary-party service at all. Mac users will want to take a await at the Hope Apollo Personal Cloud Storage device. You plug this into your home router, and the organization then lets you store files locally on the device and volition besides permit up to twoscore people access those files over the internet (using apps for Android and iOS). Y'all can also create fourth dimension-limited links to share with others, then they can download files compatible with Apple's Files app. The system also auto-syncs from Dropbox and Google Drive.

Do yous accept any more useful tips to assist people share files between iPhones, iPads and Android devices? Please let u.s.a. know and I'll introduce your information in the next update to this story.

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Jonny is a freelance writer who has been writing (mainly most Apple and engineering) since 1999.

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