6 Simple Ways to Send Pictures to a Cell Phone

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A simple guide to sending photos to a mobile device
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If you need to transfer some pictures to a cell phone, there are many ways to do so. Sending photos to a mobile phone only takes a few moments, and the process is the same whether you're sending the pictures to yourself or another person. If the pictures are on your PC or Mac, you have several options, including using AirDrop (to send from Mac to iPhone), Nearby Share (for PC to Android), attaching to messages, or using a USB cable. You can also share pictures from one cell phone to another similarly. This wikiHow article teaches you easy ways to send pictures to an Android or iPhone from a computer, another phone, or a tablet.

Transferring Pictures to a Cell Phone

  • The easiest way to share pics to or from a cell phone is using Nearby Share (PC & Android) or AirDrop (Apple devices).
  • To send photos from one phone to another, you can share the photos with Messenger, AirDrop, WhatsApp, email, and more.
  • You can also transfer photos from a computer to an Android or iPhone using a USB cable or via email.
Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

Using Nearby Share (PC to Android)

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  1. It can be downloaded from the Android Nearby Share for Windows Website .
  2. 2
    Sign in with your Google Account. By signing in with your Google Account, you can sync your Google Contacts and change discoverability settings to only be visible to your contacts or only to your own devices. You can also opt to not use an account.
    • You can also follow these steps to transfer images from one Android smartphone to another nearby Android smartphone!
    • If you're initiating the Nearby Share on your phone, you can simply tap "Nearby Share" on the photo in your phone's gallery app. If the receiver is an Android smartphone as well, they only need to accept the file when you tap their phone's name in the "Nearby Share" list.
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  3. 3
    Choose a device name. This device name will be used to identify your device and it will be visible to other people.
  4. 4
    Choose device discoverability settings. On the setup page, click on the option inside the "Receiving" box to select who will be capable of discovering your device via nearby share. You can opt to be visible to Everyone, only to your Contacts (contacts from your Google Account), only to your devices (requires a Google Account), or to no one.
  5. You can choose to help improve the app by allowing the app to automatically send usage info and crash reports to Google.
  6. 6
    Allow Bluetooth and Wi-Fi access. Nearby Share requires both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
  7. 7
    Drag and drop pictures to Nearby Share app on your Windows PC. The Nearby Share app will start looking for nearby devices.
  8. Turning on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and connecting your Android device to the same Wi-Fi network with your computer can speed up the process.
  9. Tapping the notification will launch Nearby Share on your Android and make the phone visible to everyone temporarily. You can also change this on the Nearby Share settings on your Android device and set up visibility to only your contacts or to your own devices.
  10. 10
    On the Nearby Share app on your PC, click your Android cell phone.
  11. Once you tap the button, the file will be downloaded onto your phone.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

Using AirDrop (Apple Devices)

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  1. You can use AirDrop to send pictures to an iPhone from any Apple device, including your Mac, iPad, or another iPhone, if both devices are within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range. On the iPhone that's receiving the photos:
    • Open Settings and tap General .
    • Tap AirDrop .
    • If the person sending the photos from their Mac, iPhone, or iPad is in your contacts list, you can enable Contacts Only . If not, choose Everyone. [1]
    • Also, ensure that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi is enabled on both devices. If either device has a Personal Hotspot turned on, disable it .
  2. For example, if you want to send photo from a Mac to an iPhone, open the Photos app on your Mac.
  3. This opens a larger version of the photo. Alternatively, you can select multiple photos.
    • To select multiple photos on a Mac, hold down the Command key as you click each photo.
    • To select multiple photos on an iPhone or iPad, tap Select at the top-right corner of the All Photos tab, then tap each photo you want to send.
  4. This share icon looks like a square with an arrow pointing up. You'll see it in the lower-left corner of your screen on an iPhone or iPad, and in the top toolbar on a Mac. [2]
  5. A list of nearby devices will appear.
  6. If the other device (Mac, iPhone, or iPad) has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled and is in range, you should see it listed here.
    • The receiving device will get a pop-up with that picture that you are sending via AirDrop.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

Emailing or Texting (Computer to Phone)

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  1. You can easily attach photos to an email message to send them to a cell phone. For example, if you have a Gmail address , you can go to https://www.gmail.com on your computer.
    • Alternatively, if you have Facebook Messenger on the device you're sending photos from and the cell phone receiving the photos, you can easily attach photos in Facebook Messenger .
  2. On your computer, create the message that you want to send along with the photos.
  3. Click the "Attachments" button, which often looks like a paperclip, and then browse for the images you want to attach . Most email services support sending up to 20 MB, which is usually about 5 images per message.
  4. If you're sending the photos to your own cell phone, you can enter your own email address. Alternatively, enter the email address of the person who should receive the photos.
  5. You may have to wait a few moments for the images to upload to your mail server and another few moments for the message to be delivered.
  6. If you're sending the images to yourself, the message should arrive in a few moments.
    • To receive an MMS message, you will need to have a cellular data connection.
  7. The process varies depending on your phone, but generally, you can press and hold an open image on your screen or tap the Menu button and choose to save it to your phone. Repeat this for each of the images in the message.
    • Using text messages or email is a great way to send pictures from an Android to iPhone or from an iPhone to an Android.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

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  1. If you're sending photos from an iPhone, open the Photos app and select the photo. On an Android, you can use your phone's Gallery app or Google Photos.
  2. [3] This looks different depending on the phone and version that you are using.
  3. There are several options to choose from, depending on the apps you have installed on your phone:
    • You can select your text messaging app to attach the selected photo to an MMS, RCS, or iMessage .
    • Choose your email app to attach the photo to an email message .
    • Other apps: There will be a variety of other options listed based on what you have installed, including Facebook Messenger , WhatsApp , and more.
  4. Depending on the method you chose, you'll need to finalize the message that will go along with the image. The message may take a few moments to send if you're sending multiple images.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Using a USB Cable (Computer to iPhone)

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  1. You can have multiple subfolders in the folder, but having them all in one place will make it much easier to add the images to your iPhone.
  3. You'll need to use Finder instead of iTunes for macOS Catalina and newer. [4]
  4. If you're using iTunes, click the picture of an iPhone next to the menu at the top of iTunes. On a Mac, click your iPhone in the left panel. [5]
    • You will also be asked to trust the computer on your iPhone's screen.
  6. You can now choose an album or a folder to sync.
  7. You can select multiple folders if you'd like.
  8. If syncing doesn't start right away, click Sync to sync the photos to your phone now. [6]
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Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Using a USB Cable (Computer to Android)

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  1. If you have a Windows PC, you won't need to install anything special to send photos from your PC to an Android phone. [7] On a Mac, go to https://www.android.com/filetransfer/ and click Download . Then, follow these instructions to install:
    • Double-click the file you downloaded.
    • Drag Android File Transfer to Applications .
    • Once installed, open Android File Transfer . The app will open on its own the next time you connect your Android to your Mac, but you'll need to launch it manually at first.
  2. If you are using Windows, the Autoplay window will usually appear. If you are using a Mac, your should now see your Android in Android File Transfer.
  3. A list of options will appear.
  4. This allows you to send photos and other files from your computer to your Android. A file transfer window will expand on your PC or Mac's screen. [8]
  5. Navigate to the folder on your computer to which you've saved the photos, and drag each photo to your Android. As you drag photos, they'll be sent to your Android instantly.
  6. If you're using Windows, eject your Android before unplugging it from your PC. On a Mac, you can simply unplug it once you've transferred the photos.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I send pictures from phone to phone?
    Community Answer
    Follow the instructions listed in the article above.
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  • Question
    I received a picture with a message, but I want to forward the picture only -- how can I do that?
    Community Answer
    You can save the picture to the gallery on your phone, and then send it in a new message.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    I have a camera and cannot see the pictures in the phone.
    Community Answer
    Some cameras, such as "Samsung smart camera", give you the option to send the pictures to your phone directly, but most of the cameras don't have this option. You will have to put the photos on your computer, then plug your phone and put the pictures from the PC to the phone.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204144
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/photos/use-airdrop-to-share-photos-pht1d4c62349/mac
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/share-photos-and-videos-iphf28f17237/ios
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210611
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201313
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/itunes/sync-photos-itns3102/windows
      7. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9064445?hl=en#zippy=%2Cwindows-computer
      8. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9064445

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