Top Ways | Transfer Photos from iPhone to iPhone without AirDrop

Learn how to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone without AirDrop. Discover 4 simple, effective methods to share photos quickly without using AirDrop.

Clara by Clara Updated November 15, 2024
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AirDrop is an easy and fast way to transfer photos between iPhones, but it doesn't work in all situations. AirDrop can be limited by distance, speed, compatibility, security, and connection issues. Therefore, learning how to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone without AirDrop may be more reliable in some cases.

Here are four reliable ways to show you how to share photos from iPhone to iPhone without AirDrop. Before you start learning these methods, you can easily see how each method compares.

Method Difficulty Speed Advantages
🔥FoneTool Easy Fast
  • Offline transfer with no network required
  • User-friendly and secure
  • Compatible with various iPhone models and iOS versions
iCloud Moderate Moderate
  • Accessible on any device signed in with the same Apple ID
  • Automatically syncs photos
iTunes Difficult Moderate
  • No internet required
  • Allows backup and restore options
  • Direct transfer via computer
Email Easy Slow
  • Simple and easy for a few photos
  • Accessible on any email-enabled device
Shared Album Moderate Moderate
  • Selective sharing for specific photos
  • Automatically updates across devices

[Easy] How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to iPhone Using FoneTool

FoneTool is an efficient and easy-to-use iPhone data transfer app that simplifies the process of transferring photos and other files between iPhones. Unlike AirDrop, FoneTool offers fast transfers and does not require any Internet, and it is ideal for situations you need to transfer large amounts of photos and videos.

FoneTool - Best AirDrop Alternative

This powerful iPhone data transfer tool is the best way to share files from iPhone to iPhone.

  • Intuitive interface and guided steps, perfect for beginners.
  • Quickly transfer large files offline without data loss or compression.
  • 100% safe and reliable iPhone transfer solution, fast and easy.
  • Selectively transfer photos, videos, transfer WhatsApp, etc. between devices.
  • Works on various models and versions of iOS devices.

Share Photos from iPhone to iPhone without AirDrop via FoneTool

You can free download FoneTool and follow the below steps to transfer photos from one iPhone to another without AirDrop.

Step 1. Open FoneTool > Connect the source iPhone to the PC > Go to Phone Transfer > Choose iPhone to PC > Click Start Transfer.

go to transfer photos with fonetool

★Tip:
Of course, you can also transfer all data from iPhone to iPhone in one click, you can choose iPhone to iPhone option.

Step 2. Tap the Photos icon > Preview and select the photos you want to send > Click OK.

select photos

Step 3. Set a storage path on your computer > Tap Start Transfer.

start transfer photos from iphone to pc

Step 4. Plug in the target iPhone > Choose PC to iPhone from the Phone Transfer page > Hit Start Transfer > Select the pictures you transferred to the computer without AirDrop.

go to transfer

Step 5. After that, tap Start Transfer > Your photos will be transferred from one iPhone to the target iPhone at a superfast speed.

start tranfer

Bonus Tip: Transfer Photos from iPhone to iPhone Wireless with FoneTool for iOS

If you also want to transfer photos wirelessly between iPhones, you can use FoneTool for iOS. This tool allows you to wirelessly share photos between iPhone and iPhone, or iPad and iPad, iPad and iPhone.

transfer files to others

How to Send Pictures to Another iPhone without AirDrop by iCloud

iCloud is Apple's cloud storage service that allows you to back up your photos and access them on multiple devices. iCloud usually offers 5 GB of free storage. If you have a lot of photos and videos, you will need to pay for additional space. In addition, photos synced to iCloud will take longer to download to your new device.

Sync Photos from iPhone to iPhone without AirDrop via iCloud

After logging into the same Apple account on both iPhones, you can follow the below guide to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone without AirDrop:

Step 1. Open Settings on your old iPhone > Tap Apple ID at the top.

Step 2. Go to iCloud > Choose Photos > And toggle on iCloud Photos.

turn on icloud photos

Step 3. Ensure both devices are connected to Wi-Fi, and wait for photos to upload to iCloud.

Step 4. On your new iPhonesign into iCloud using the same Apple ID on Settings.

Step 5. Repeat these steps to sync photos to the new iPhone from iCloud.

How to Share Images from iPhone to iPhone with iTunes

iTunes is Apple's media library and syncing tool that can transfer photos from one iPhone to another using a computer. While this method allows you to transfer photos without an internet connection, it has limitations in terms of photo selection and preview.

Transfer Photos without iCloud using Finder or iTunes

With iTunes, you can only move the folders that contain the photos you want to transfer, and it doesn't allow you to preview and select the pictures in advance.

Step 1. Connect your old iPhone to your computer > Open iTunes or Finder (for macOS Catalina and later).

Step 2. Select your device > Click on the Photos tab.

Step 3. Choose Sync Photos > Choose the folder on your computer containing the photos you want to transfer.

Step 4. Click Apply to sync the photos to your computer.

sync photos

Step 5. Then disconnect your old iPhone > Connect your new iPhone > Repeat the process to sync the photos to your new device.

★Tip:
For a more selective transfer process, consider using a dedicated transfer tool like FoneTool, which makes it easier to select individual photos or the ones you want.

How to Move Photos to from One iPhone to Another by Email

Emailing photos is an easy way to share a few photos. This method isn't suitable for large or multiple files due to size limitations, but it's a good option for people who just want to send a few photos.

Send Pictures to Another iPhone using Email

This method is slow and is limited by the size of email attachments. If that's the case, try the following steps.

Step 1. Open the Photos app on your source iPhone.

Step 2. Select the photos you wish to share > Tap Share icon from the list.

Step 3. Choose Mail instead of AirDrop > Enter the recipient's email address.

email photos from iphone to iphone

Step 4. Send the email to the target iPhone > And wait for the transfer to complete.

Step 5. On your target iPhone, open it to download the attached photos.

How to Import iPhone Photos to Another iPhone by Shared Album

If you want to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone without AirDrop, then you can try the next method - creating a shared album. Shared albums in iCloud allow users to create collections of photos that can be accessed on multiple devices.

Create Shared Album to Upload Photos

Check the below steps to learn how to send photos from iPhone to iPhone without AirDrop:

online photo sharing

Step 1. Open the Photos app on your old iPhone.

Step 2. Tap Albums > Click + icon > Select New Shared Album.

Step 3. Name the album and invite yourself or another person (if transferring to another’s iPhone).

Step 4. Then you can add the photos you wish to share by opening the Shared Album.

Conclusion

This article shows you how to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone without AirDrop. FoneTool stands out for its speed, offline capabilities, and ease of use, making it a great choice for users who need a fast and secure transfer method. Whether you use FoneTool, iCloud, iTunes, email, or shared albums, you'll find the right method for your specific transfer requirements.

FoneTool - All-in-one iPhone Data Manager

Transfer, backup and manage data on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in an easy way.

  • iOS 18 Compatible
  • iPhone 16 Supported

Free iPhone Manager - FoneTool

  • Full/Selective Backup iPhone
  • Transfer between iPhone and PC
  • 1-Click Transfer iPhone to iPhone
  • WhatsApp Backup & Transfer
  • Fully compatible with iOS 18
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