4 Easy Ways to AirDrop Photos from S9 to 12 Pro

AirDrop, Apple’s proprietary wireless file-sharing feature, offers a seamless way to share photos and other files between compatible Apple devices. Moving photos from your Samsung Galaxy S9 to an iPhone 12 Pro using AirDrop may seem daunting, but it’s surprisingly simple. With a few simple steps, you can transfer your cherished memories wirelessly, bridging the technological gap between the two devices.

Before embarking on this wireless journey, ensure that both your S9 and iPhone 12 Pro have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on. Activate AirDrop on both devices by swiping up from the bottom of the screen to access the Control Center. On the S9, tap the AirDrop icon and select “Everyone” to make your device discoverable. On the iPhone 12 Pro, tap the AirDrop icon and choose “Contacts Only” if you want to limit sharing to contacts or “Everyone” for broader accessibility.

Once your devices are configured, open the Photos app on your S9 and select the photos you wish to share. Tap the Share icon and choose AirDrop from the list of options. Your iPhone 12 Pro should now appear as an available AirDrop recipient. Tap on the device name to initiate the transfer. The photos will be sent wirelessly, and you will receive a notification on your iPhone 12 Pro when the transfer is complete. AirDrop makes cross-platform photo sharing effortless, allowing you to preserve and enjoy your memories on both your Samsung and Apple devices.

Using Apple’s AirDrop Feature

AirDrop is a wireless feature that allows you to quickly and easily share files between Apple devices. To use AirDrop, both devices must be turned on and have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. You also need to be within close proximity to each other (usually within 30 feet).

To airdrop photos from your S9 to 12 Pro, follow these steps:

On your S9, open the Photos app and select the photos you want to share.
Tap the Share button and then select AirDrop from the list of options.
A list of nearby AirDrop-compatible devices will appear. Tap the name of the 12 Pro you want to share the photos with.
On the 12 Pro, a notification will appear asking if you want to accept the AirDrop. Tap Accept.
The photos will be transferred from your S9 to the 12 Pro.

Here are some additional tips for using AirDrop:

Make sure that both devices are running the latest version of iOS.
If you’re having trouble connecting to a device, try turning off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both devices and then turning them back on.
If you’re still having trouble, try restarting both devices.

Connecting to the Same Wi-Fi Network

To establish an AirDrop connection between your S9 and 12 Pro, it’s crucial to ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This allows them to discover each other on the network, enabling the AirDrop service to function.

Steps to Connect to the Same Wi-Fi Network:

1. Navigate to the “Settings” app on both the S9 and 12 Pro.

2. Select “Wi-Fi” from the list of options.

3. Check if both devices display the same Wi-Fi network name in the available networks list.

4. If they do not, tap on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to and enter the network password.

5. Once both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you can proceed to enable AirDrop and start sharing photos.

Enabling Bluetooth and Personal Hotspot

To prepare your devices for AirDrop, ensure that Bluetooth and Personal Hotspot are activated on both devices.

Personal Hotspot

On your iPhone 12 Pro, navigate to Settings > Personal Hotspot. Toggle the Personal Hotspot switch to the on position.

On your Samsung Galaxy S9, access the Notification Panel by swiping down from the top of the screen. Locate the Personal Hotspot icon and tap on it to enable the feature.

Once activated, your iPhone 12 Pro will create a Wi-Fi network that your S9 can connect to.

Connecting to the Personal Hotspot

On your S9, open the Wi-Fi settings.
Select the network name of your iPhone 12 Pro’s Personal Hotspot.
Enter the password displayed on your iPhone 12 Pro’s screen.

Your S9 will now be connected to the Personal Hotspot, allowing it to communicate with your iPhone 12 Pro over Wi-Fi.

Transferring Photos via Email

Using an email account is a traditional method for sending photos between devices. Follow these detailed steps to airdrop photos from an S9 to an 12 Pro using email:

1. Open the Photos App

On your S9, launch the Photos app and select the photos you wish to transfer.

2. Create a New Email

From the S9, open your email application and compose a new email. Attach the selected photos by clicking on the paperclip icon in the email composition window.

3. Add Recipient Address

Enter the recipient email address (the 12 Pro’s email account) in the “To” field and press send.

4. Download and Save Photos on the 12 Pro

On the 12 Pro, log into the recipient email account. Open the email containing the attached photos. Click on the attached photos to download them to the 12 Pro. To save the photos to the device’s storage, tap and hold the downloaded photo, and select “Save to Device” or “Save Image” from the context menu.

Employing Cloud Storage Services

Cloud storage platforms offer a hassle-free solution for transferring large files, including photos, between devices. Here’s how you can use cloud storage to airdrop photos from S9 to 12 Pro:

1. Sign up for a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud.

2. On your S9, upload the photos you want to share to the cloud service.

3. On your 12 Pro, download the cloud storage app and sign in with the same account you used on your S9.

4. Locate the photos you uploaded from your S9 and tap the download icon to save them on your 12 Pro.

Additional Tips for Cloud Storage Transfer

Here are some tips to optimize your cloud storage transfer experience:

Tip	Description
Compress Photos	Reduce the file size of your photos to speed up the upload and download process.
Use a Stable Wi-Fi Connection	Ensure a strong and stable internet connection for uninterrupted file transfer.
Select a Fast Cloud Service	Opt for a cloud storage service with reliable servers and fast transfer speeds.

By following these steps and implementing these tips, you can effortlessly airdrop photos from your S9 to your 12 Pro using cloud storage services.

Utilizing a File Transfer App

Employing a file transfer app is a seamless and widely-used method for airdropping photos from an S9 to an iPhone 12 Pro. Examples of such apps include Xender, SHAREit, and AirDroid. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using these apps for airdropping photos:

1. Install the File Transfer App: Install the same file transfer app on both the S9 and the iPhone 12 Pro from the respective app stores (Google Play Store and Apple App Store).

2. Connect the Devices: Open the file transfer app on both devices and connect them using the specified method (e.g., establishing a Wi-Fi network or utilizing Bluetooth or NFC).

3. Select the Photos: On the S9, go to your photo gallery and select the photos you want to airdrop.

4. Initiate the Transfer: In the file transfer app, choose the iPhone 12 Pro as the recipient device and tap on the “Send” or “Transfer” option.

5. Receive the Photos: On the iPhone 12 Pro, the photos will start downloading. You can monitor the progress in the file transfer app.

6. Additional Features: Most file transfer apps offer additional features to enhance the airdropping experience. These may include:

Feature	Description
File Size Limit:	Some apps may have a file size limit for transfers. Ensure that your photos do not exceed this limit.
Transfer Speed:	The transfer speed depends on the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection quality and the file size.
Resume Transfer:	In case of an interruption during transfer, some apps allow you to resume the process later.
Multi-File Transfer:	You can select multiple photos to transfer simultaneously.
File Management:	The app may provide options to manage the transferred files on both devices, such as deleting, renaming, or moving them.

Connecting with an SD Card Reader

When using an SD card reader, you’ll need to format the card first for your iPhone to recognize and read the photos:

Insert the SD card into the SD card reader and connect it to your iPhone via the Lightning port.
On your iPhone, open the Files app and tap "Browse."
Select the SD card reader and go to the "On My iPhone" tab.
Tap "Select" and choose the photos you want to transfer.
Tap the "Share" icon in the bottom-left corner and select "Save to Files."
Choose a location on your iPhone to save the photos.
Devise the transfer method based on your needs:
- Wi-Fi transfer: Utilize an external hard drive with Wi-Fi capabilities to establish a wireless connection between the S9 and 12 Pro.
- Bluetooth transfer: Pair the devices via Bluetooth, ensuring that both have Bluetooth enabled and visible. Transfer the photos by selecting "Send via Bluetooth" on the S9.
- Cloud storage: Upload the photos to a shared cloud storage service such as Google Drive or iCloud. Access the cloud storage on the 12 Pro and download the photos.
Once the photos are transferred, eject the SD card from the card reader.

Transferring Photos through a USB Cable

If you have a USB cable handy, you can use it to transfer photos from your S9 to your iPhone 12 Pro without an internet connection. Here’s how:

1. Connect your S9 to your computer using the USB cable.

2. Open File Explorer on your computer.

3. Navigate to the folder on your S9 that contains the photos you want to transfer.

4. Select the photos you want to transfer and copy them.

5. Connect your iPhone 12 Pro to your computer using a USB cable.

6. Open the Photos app on your computer.

7. Select the photos you want to import and click “Import.”

8. Once the photos have been imported, you can disconnect your iPhone from your computer and view the photos in the Photos app. Here is a detailed breakdown of step 8 to guide you through the process:

Locate the Photos on Your Computer

Open File Explorer on your computer and navigate to the folder where you saved the transferred photos. Typically, you can find them in the “Downloads” or “Pictures” folder.

Select and Drag Photos to Photos App

Select the photos you want to import into the Photos app. You can hold the “Ctrl” key to select multiple photos or click and drag your mouse to create a selection box around the desired photos.

Once the photos are selected, drag and drop them into the open Photos app window. Alternatively, you can use the “Import” button in the upper-right corner of the Photos app to select the photos and add them.

Review and Save Imported Photos

The Photos app will begin importing the selected photos. Once the import process is complete, you can view the photos in the Photos app on your computer. They will be organized into folders based on their original location on your S9.

Using a Direct Wi-Fi Connection

A direct Wi-Fi connection establishes a wireless network between two devices without requiring an internet connection. This method is highly convenient as it doesn’t rely on any external network or data services, making it a reliable option even in areas with poor or unstable internet connectivity.

To establish a direct Wi-Fi connection between the S9 and 12 Pro:

On both devices, navigate to the Settings menu.
Select “Connections” or “Network & Internet.”
Tap “Wi-Fi.”
On the S9, tap the “Wi-Fi Direct” option.
On the 12 Pro, tap the “Scan” button to search for available devices.
Select the S9 from the list of devices.
A pairing request will appear on the S9. Tap “Accept.”
Once the devices are paired, you’ll see a notification on both devices indicating that the connection is established.

Now that the direct Wi-Fi connection is active, you can transfer photos between the S9 and 12 Pro using file sharing apps or the built-in sharing features of your devices. Here are the steps for transferring photos using the Samsung Gallery app:

On the S9, open the Gallery app and select the photos you want to transfer.
Tap the “Share” icon located at the bottom of the screen.
Select “Wi-Fi Direct” from the sharing options.
Choose the 12 Pro from the list of available devices.
The photos will start transferring wirelessly to the 12 Pro.

The transfer speed depends on the file size and the strength of the Wi-Fi connection. Once the transfer is complete, you’ll find the photos in the Gallery app on the 12 Pro.

Sharing via Social Media or Messaging Apps

Social media and messaging apps provide a convenient way to airdrop photos between nearby devices without an internet connection. Popular options include:

Messenger: A popular messaging app that allows you to send photos and videos to contacts. Open the app, select the recipient, tap the camera icon, and choose the photo you want to share.

WhatsApp: Another widely used messaging app that supports photo sharing. Launch the app, navigate to the chat window of the recipient, tap the paperclip icon, and select the “Gallery” option to choose and send the photo.

Instagram: A social media platform that also allows direct messaging. Open the app, go to the chat window of the recipient, tap the camera icon, and choose the photo you want to send.

Snapchat: A social media app known for its disappearing messages. Send photos as snaps by opening the app, tapping the camera icon, taking or selecting a photo, and swiping up to add a recipient.

TikTok: A popular short-form video platform that also supports messaging. Access the Direct Message (DM) feature by tapping the envelope icon in the bottom right corner of the app. Then, tap the camera icon, select the photo you want to send, and hit the “Send” button.

Twitter: A social media platform that allows you to send private messages. Open the app, navigate to the Direct Message (DM) section, and select the recipient. Tap the “+” icon, select the “Photo” option, and choose the photo you want to share.

Facebook: A classic social media platform that supports both direct messaging and group chats. To send photos via Facebook Messenger, follow the same steps as described above for Messenger.

The exact steps for sharing photos may vary slightly depending on the specific app you are using. However, all of these methods offer an intuitive and straightforward way to airdrop photos between your S9 and 12 Pro devices.

How To Airdrop Photos From S9 To 12 Pro Without

Unfortunately, you cannot Airdrop photos from an S9 to a 12 Pro without a computer. AirDrop is an Apple-only feature that allows users to transfer files wirelessly between Apple devices. Since the S9 is a Samsung device, it cannot use AirDrop.

However, there are other ways to transfer photos from an S9 to a 12 Pro without using AirDrop. One option is to use a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Another option is to use a USB cable to connect the two devices and transfer the photos that way.