How to Airdrop from iPhone to Samsung: Full Guide

AirDrop is Apple’s quick file-sharing feature, but it only works between Apple devices. If you need to send photos, videos, or documents from an iPhone to a Samsung phone, you’ll need a different method. This guide shows you the most reliable ways to transfer files wirelessly, including using Samsung’s own Quick Share app and a few universal alternatives.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone running iOS 13 or later (for the Files app method)
A Samsung phone running Android 10 or later (for Quick Share)
Both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network (for most methods)
The Quick Share app installed on your Samsung phone (pre-installed on most recent models)
Optional: a USB-Lightning cable if you prefer a wired transfer

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using Samsung Quick Share (Recommended)

Enable Quick Share on your Samsung: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel. Look for the Quick Share icon (a circle with three dots). If you don’t see it, swipe left on the quick settings toggles. Tap it to turn it on. If you can’t find it, go to Settings > Advanced features > Quick Share and toggle it on.
Set Quick Share visibility: On your Samsung, open Quick Share settings (tap the gear icon next to the Quick Share toggle). Choose “Everyone” or “Contacts” under “Who can share with you.” For a one-time transfer, “Everyone” is easiest. Make sure “Receive from” is set to “Everyone” or “Contacts.”
On your iPhone, open the file you want to share: Go to the Photos app for a photo or video, or Files app for a document. Tap the Share button (a square with an arrow pointing up).
Choose “Quick Share” from the share sheet: Scroll through the share options. You may see “Quick Share” directly if the Samsung is nearby. If not, tap “More” (three dots) to find it. If you don’t see Quick Share at all, you’ll need to use Method 2 below.
Select your Samsung device: A pop-up will show nearby devices. Tap your Samsung’s name. The file will be sent over Wi-Fi Direct.
Accept on your Samsung: Your Samsung will show a notification asking to accept the file. Tap “Accept” or “OK” to receive it. The file will be saved to your Downloads or Gallery depending on the type.

Method 2: Using a Third-Party Transfer App

Install a transfer app on both devices: Popular options include Send Anywhere, Snapdrop, or ShareIt. Download the same app on both your iPhone and Samsung.
Open the app on both devices: Follow the app’s setup instructions. Most will ask you to allow permissions for photos and files.
On your iPhone, select the files: In the app, tap “Send” or “Export.” Choose the photos, videos, or documents you want to transfer.
Generate a code or QR: The app will show a 6-digit code or a QR code on your iPhone.
On your Samsung, enter the code or scan the QR: Tap “Receive” and enter the code or scan the QR. The transfer will begin.
Wait for the transfer to complete: The files will be saved to your Samsung’s storage. Check the app’s default save location (often Downloads or a dedicated folder).

Method 3: Using a Wired Connection (USB Cable)

Get a USB-C to Lightning cable: If you have a newer Samsung with USB-C, you’ll need a cable with a USB-C connector on one end and a Lightning connector on the other.
Connect the two phones: Plug the Lightning end into your iPhone and the USB-C end into your Samsung.
On your iPhone, trust the computer: A prompt will appear asking “Trust This Computer?” Tap “Trust” and enter your passcode.
On your Samsung, allow file transfer: A notification will appear. Tap it and select “File Transfer” or “MTP” mode.
Find your iPhone’s files on your Samsung: On your Samsung, open the File Manager app. Look for your iPhone under “Storage devices” or “USB storage.” You’ll see folders like “DCIM” for photos and “Downloads” for files.
Copy the files: Navigate to the folder containing your photos or files. Select them and tap “Copy” then paste them into your Samsung’s internal storage.

Common Mistakes

Not enabling Quick Share on the Samsung: Quick Share is often off by default. If you skip step 1, your Samsung won’t appear in the share sheet.
Using AirDrop instead of Quick Share: AirDrop only works with Apple devices. You must use Quick Share or a third-party app.
Both devices not on the same Wi-Fi: Quick Share uses Wi-Fi Direct, but it still requires both devices to have Wi-Fi enabled. If you’re on different networks, the transfer may fail.
Forgetting to accept the file on the Samsung: The transfer won’t start until you tap “Accept” on the Samsung. Check the notification panel if you don’t see it.
Using a USB cable that doesn’t support data: Some cables are charge-only. Make sure your cable is capable of data transfer.

Tips

Turn off AirDrop on your iPhone: This prevents confusion and speeds up the share sheet loading.
Keep both devices close: For Quick Share, keep the phones within 10 feet of each other for a stable connection.
Use a cloud service for large files: If you’re sending hundreds of photos, consider uploading to iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox and sharing a link. This is faster and avoids connection drops.
Check file formats: Some iPhone formats (like HEIC photos) may not be compatible with all Samsung apps. You can change your iPhone’s camera settings to “Most Compatible” (JPEG) if needed.
Use the “Files” app for documents: For PDFs, Word documents, etc., use the Files app on your iPhone to share them via Quick Share.

Troubleshooting

Quick Share doesn’t appear on the share sheet: Make sure Quick Share is enabled on the Samsung and that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. Restart both phones and try again.
Transfer keeps failing or is slow: Move the phones closer together. Turn off mobile data on both devices (Quick Share can conflict with it). Try sending a smaller file first to test the connection.
Samsung doesn’t show up in the device list: On the Samsung, go to Quick Share settings and change “Who can share with you” to “Everyone.” Also, check that your Samsung’s screen is on and unlocked.
USB connection not recognized: Unlock your iPhone and tap “Trust” when prompted. On the Samsung, pull down the notification bar and change the USB mode from “Charging” to “File Transfer.” Try a different cable or port.
Files are corrupted after transfer: This is rare but can happen. Try transferring the file again, or use a different method like a cloud service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirDrop to send to a Samsung?

No. AirDrop is proprietary to Apple and only works between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. To send to a Samsung, you must use Quick Share, a third-party app, or a USB cable.

Is Quick Share free?

Yes, Quick Share is free on Samsung devices. It uses Wi-Fi Direct, so it doesn’t use your mobile data.

Do I need an internet connection for Quick Share?

No, Quick Share works over Wi-Fi Direct, which creates a direct connection between the two devices. However, both devices need to have Wi-Fi enabled (even if not connected to a router).

Can I transfer from iPhone to Samsung using Bluetooth?

Yes, but it’s very slow and unreliable for large files. You can pair the devices and send files via Bluetooth, but it’s not recommended for anything larger than a few photos.

Will my photos lose quality when transferred?

No, both Quick Share and third-party apps transfer files without compressing them. The original quality is preserved.

How do I find files received via Quick Share on my Samsung?

Photos and videos are saved in the Gallery app. Other files are saved in the Downloads folder, which you can access via the My Files app.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.