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You can transfer pictures from a Samsung phone to an iPhone in three main ways: use Apple’s Move to iOS during initial iPhone setup, copy local files through a computer, or copy an eligible Google Photos library directly to iCloud Photos. The right choice depends on whether the iPhone is already set up and where the pictures are stored.
Choose a transfer method
| Method | Best for | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| Move to iOS | An iPhone that has not completed initial setup | Transfers camera photos, videos, and photo albums during setup. Keep both phones powered and nearby. A direct USB-C connection may speed transfer on supported devices. Apple’s Move to iOS instructions. |
| Computer and sync | An iPhone that is already set up, or a transfer where you want to select files manually | Copy pictures and videos from the Samsung phone—usually from DCIM—to a computer, then sync them to the iPhone using the Apple app for that computer. Apple’s manual transfer instructions. |
| Google Photos to iCloud Photos | A library already stored in Google Photos | Eligible accounts can request a direct copy to iCloud Photos. The originals remain in Google Photos, and the transfer may take several hours to a few days. Apple’s Google Photos transfer instructions. |
Before you start, check whether the pictures are stored on the Samsung phone or already backed up to Google Photos, whether you can use a computer, and whether the iPhone has enough storage for the content you want to move.
Move photos during iPhone setup with Move to iOS
Use this method when setting up a new iPhone that has not completed its initial setup. Apple’s Android migration includes camera photos, videos, and photo albums. Follow Apple’s current Move to iOS instructions for the prompts and compatibility details for your devices.
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- Follow the prompts on both phones, including the instructions to open Move to iOS on the Samsung device.
- Keep Wi-Fi enabled on the Samsung phone. Connect both phones to power, place them near each other, and avoid using them for other tasks until the transfer finishes.
- If both phones support the connection, you can connect them directly with a compatible USB-C data cable. Apple says this can make the transfer faster, but does not specify a guaranteed speed or completion time.
- After setup, open Photos on the iPhone and check a selection of recent and older pictures, videos, and albums.
Transfer time depends on how much content you move. Check that the selected content—including anything on an external Micro SD card—will fit on the iPhone before starting. Apple lists the content Move to iOS transfers, but does not guarantee that every Samsung-specific edit, metadata field, or app-specific album arrangement will be preserved identically.
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Copy local pictures through a computer
Choose a computer transfer if the iPhone is already set up or you want to select files yourself. Apple says Android photos and videos are usually in the DCIM folder.
- Connect the Samsung phone to the computer and locate the pictures and videos you want to keep. Copy them into a folder on the computer.
- Disconnect the Samsung phone, then connect the iPhone.
- Sync the selected pictures and videos to the iPhone using the Apple app for your computer: Finder on a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, iTunes on a Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier, or the Apple Devices app on a PC. Follow Apple’s manual transfer instructions for the applicable steps.
- Open Photos on the iPhone and check the transferred files before deleting the computer copy or erasing the Samsung phone.
This method moves files you select, but Apple’s instructions do not establish that every file type or Samsung album structure will be handled identically. Keep a separate copy and verify important images before removing the originals.
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Copy a Google Photos library to iCloud Photos
If your pictures and videos are already backed up to Google Photos, Apple offers a direct copy option for eligible accounts. You can request the transfer without downloading the library to a device first. Review Apple’s current instructions for eligibility and exclusions before you begin; availability can depend on account status and may change.
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The copy does not delete the originals from Google Photos. Apple says processing can take several hours to a few days, depending on the amount of content. Check that the copied files appear in iCloud Photos before making changes to the Google Photos library.
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Check the transfer before wiping the Samsung phone
- Open a sample of older and newer pictures and play a few videos on the iPhone.
- Check albums or files that matter to you; do not assume every Samsung-specific edit, metadata field, or album arrangement will carry over exactly.
- Keep a separate backup until you have confirmed the files you need are present in the destination library.
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