How to Move Photos From a Samsung Phone to an iPhone

The fastest way to move your photos

The quickest method is to use Google Photos, which works on both Android and iOS. Upload your Samsung photos to Google Photos, sign in with the same account on your iPhone, and download them there. The whole process takes about 10 minutes if your photos are already backed up, or longer if you have thousands and need to wait for the upload to finish.

If you want to move photos without using the cloud, you can connect both phones to a computer and use file transfer software or your phone's native tools. This works but is slower and requires a computer with USB cables.

A third option is to use Samsung SmartSwitch, which is designed to move data between phones during setup. It works with iPhones but only during the initial iPhone setup process, so this route only makes sense if you are setting up a new iPhone right now.

Key Takeaways

Google Photos is the fastest method for most people because it works on both phones and you can access your photos from anywhere afterward.
You need a Google account on both your Samsung and iPhone, and enough storage space in Google Photos (15 GB is free, or you can pay for more).
SmartSwitch works during iPhone setup but not afterward, so it only helps if you are setting up a new iPhone.
A computer transfer is slower but does not require cloud storage or a Google account.
Photos taken in the last 30 days on Samsung can be moved using the "Recent" folder, which speeds up the process if you only need recent images.

Using Google Photos on both phones

Open Google Photos on your Samsung phone. If you do not have it installed, download it from the Google Play Store. Sign in with your Google account (create one if you do not have one). Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, then tap Settings, then Backup and sync. Turn on "Backup and sync" and choose which folder to back up — usually "Camera" is what you want.

Google Photos will begin uploading your photos in the background. If you have thousands of photos, this can take several hours or overnight, depending on your internet speed and whether your phone is plugged in. You can check progress by opening Google Photos and looking at the backup status at the top of the screen.

Once the upload is done, open Google Photos on your iPhone. Sign in with the same Google account. Your photos will appear automatically. Tap and hold any photo to select it, then tap the download icon (a downward arrow) to save it to your iPhone's camera roll. To download all photos at once, select all, then download — but be aware this can take a long time if you have many photos.

A faster way to get all photos onto your iPhone is to use Google Takeout on a computer. Go to takeout.google.com, sign in, select "Google Photos," download the file, then import it into your iPhone using a computer and iTunes or Finder. This is more technical but faster for large libraries.

Using Samsung SmartSwitch during iPhone setup

SmartSwitch only works if you are setting up a brand-new iPhone or resetting an existing one to factory settings. During the setup process, when you reach the "Apps & Data" screen, choose Move Data from Android. Your iPhone will display a code.

On your Samsung phone, open SmartSwitch (download it from the Google Play Store if you do not have it). Tap Send Data, then Receive Data, then enter the code from your iPhone. SmartSwitch will transfer photos, contacts, messages, and other data over a direct connection between the two phones.

This method is convenient during setup but cannot be used later. If you have already finished setting up your iPhone, you will need to use Google Photos or a computer transfer instead.

Transferring photos using a computer

Connect your Samsung phone to a computer using a USB cable. On the Samsung, swipe down from the top and tap the USB notification, then choose File Transfer (not "Charging Only"). The phone will appear as a drive on your computer. Open it and navigate to DCIM or Pictures to find your photos. Copy the folders to a location on your computer.

Disconnect the Samsung and connect your iPhone using a USB cable. On a Windows computer, open iTunes or the Photos app and import the photos you copied. On a Mac, open Finder, click your iPhone in the sidebar, go to the Photos tab, and drag the photo folders into the import area. The import will take a few minutes depending on how many photos you have.

This method does not require cloud storage or a Google account, but it is slower than Google Photos and ties you to a computer. It is useful if you do not want your photos stored in the cloud or if you have internet issues.

What to do if you have a lot of photos

If you have thousands of photos, Google Photos is still the best option because it runs in the background and you do not have to sit and wait. Start the backup on your Samsung before bed, and your photos will be ready on your iPhone by morning.

If you want to move only recent photos, open Google Photos on your Samsung, tap the menu, go to Settings, then Backup and sync, and choose to back up only the Camera folder. Then on your iPhone, download only the photos from the last month or so. This saves time and storage space if you do not need your entire photo library.

For very large libraries (10,000+ photos), consider using Google Takeout on a computer instead of downloading through the app. The computer method is faster for bulk transfers because it does not have to process each photo individually through the iPhone's interface.

Keeping your photos organized after the transfer

Once your photos are on your iPhone, they will appear in the Photos app under the "Library" tab. Photos downloaded from Google Photos will be in your camera roll mixed with any new photos you take. If you want to keep them separate, create a new album in the Photos app and move the transferred photos there.

If you used Google Photos to transfer, you can keep using Google Photos on your iPhone as a backup. This way, if you lose your phone, your photos are still safe in the cloud. You can also access them from any device by logging into Google Photos online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the photos take up space on my iPhone if I download them from Google Photos?

Yes. Downloaded photos use your iPhone's storage. If you want to view photos without using storage, keep them in Google Photos and access them through the Google Photos app instead of downloading them to your camera roll.

Can I transfer photos without a computer or Google account?

SmartSwitch is your only option if you do not want to use Google or a computer, but it only works during iPhone setup. If your iPhone is already set up, you will need either a Google account or a computer to move photos.

How long does it take to transfer photos from Samsung to iPhone?

Google Photos takes 10 minutes to a few hours depending on how many photos you have and your internet speed. SmartSwitch takes 15 to 30 minutes. A computer transfer takes 10 to 20 minutes for a typical photo library.

What if some photos do not transfer?

Photos in unsupported formats (like some RAW files) may not transfer through Google Photos or SmartSwitch. Try transferring those files using a computer instead, or convert them to JPG format before transferring.

Can I transfer videos the same way as photos?

Yes. Google Photos, SmartSwitch, and computer transfer all move videos along with photos. The time it takes will be longer because video files are larger than photo files.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.