How do I send an audio message from my Android to my iPhone?
Android and iOS are the two dominant mobile operating systems, with market shares of about 70% and 29% worldwide respectively as of 2023 [1]. With many users having friends and family who use a different platform, being able to share audio messages between Android and iPhone devices is highly desirable.
This guide will explain several methods for sending audio recordings made on an Android phone to an iPhone user. We will cover techniques using messaging apps, email, file sharing services, AirDrop, third-party apps, Bluetooth and more. By the end, you should have all the knowledge needed to easily exchange audio messages across the Android-iOS divide.
Prerequisites
In order to send an audio message from an Android device to an iPhone, there are a few prerequisites that need to be met on both devices:
The Android device needs to have Android 5.0 or later installed. Android 5.0 (Lollipop) was the first Android version to introduce native support for transferring files over Bluetooth between Android and iOS devices (Update your iPhone or iPad). Older versions of Android do not have full compatibility with iOS for file transfers.
The iPhone needs to have iOS 8 or later. iOS 8 introduced AirDrop support for sharing files between iOS and Android devices (Apple security releases). Older iOS versions do not support cross-platform file sharing over AirDrop.
As long as both devices meet the minimum Android and iOS version requirements, you will have a few different options for sending an audio message between them, which we’ll explore in more detail next.
Use a Cross-Platform Messaging App
One of the easiest ways to send an audio message from an Android phone to an iPhone is by using a cross-platform messaging app. Popular options like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal allow you to exchange messages, including audio messages, between Android and iOS devices.
To send an audio message on WhatsApp from an Android phone to an iPhone user:
- Open WhatsApp and select the chat with the iPhone contact
- Tap and hold the mic icon and record your audio message
- Release the mic icon when finished to send the message
The audio message will instantly appear in the chat on the recipient’s iPhone. They can simply tap to play back the message. WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, so the audio file remains secure.
Other top cross-platform options like Telegram and Signal offer similar functionality. Just open a chat with the iPhone contact and look for the mic icon to record and send an audio message seamlessly between the platforms.
Email the Audio File
One of the easiest ways to send an audio message from an Android device to an iPhone is to email the audio file as an attachment. Here is how to do it:
On your Android device:
- Record your audio message using an app like Voice Recorder or Google Voice.
- Go to your email app and compose a new email message.
- Attach the audio file to the email. Make sure the file format is compatible, such as .mp3, .wav, .m4a, etc.
- Enter the recipient’s email address and send the message.
On your iPhone:
- Open the email message with the audio file attachment.
- Tap and hold the attachment, then tap ‘Save to Files’ to save it to your device.
- Go to the Files app, locate the audio file, and tap to play it.
The file size limit for email attachments is typically around 25 MB, so this method works best for shorter audio messages. For larger audio files, you may need to use a file sharing service instead.
Use a File Sharing Service
One of the easiest ways to transfer an audio file from an Android device to an iPhone is by using a file sharing service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Here are the steps to do this:
On your Android device:
- Open the Google Drive or Dropbox app and sign in to your account.
- Locate the audio file you want to transfer in your Files app or Music folder.
- Upload the audio file to Google Drive or Dropbox.
On your iPhone:
- Open the Google Drive or Dropbox app and sign in to the same account.
- Navigate to the uploaded audio file.
- Tap on the file to download it to your iPhone.
The audio file will now be available in your Music app on your iPhone. File sharing services like Google Drive and Dropbox make it easy to transfer files between different devices by uploading them to the cloud. Just make sure you have enough storage space available.
For more information, see:
https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-cloud-storage
AirDrop from Mac to iPhone
One way to transfer an audio file from an Android device to an iPhone is by using a Mac computer as an intermediary. Here are the steps:
- Connect your Android device to your Mac using a USB cable. This will allow you to access the files on your Android device from the Mac.
- Locate the audio file you want to transfer on your Android device. Copy or move this file over to your Mac.
- Make sure both your iPhone and Mac have AirDrop enabled and are connected to the same WiFi network.
- On your Mac, find the audio file you transferred from your Android device. Click the Share button and select AirDrop.
- Your iPhone should appear as a recipient option. Select it and the file will begin transferring over AirDrop.
- Open the AirDrop notification on your iPhone and accept the file transfer. The audio file will save to your iPhone.
With a Mac as a middleman, you can leverage AirDrop to wirelessly transfer files from your Android device to your iPhone. Just connect your Android to the Mac with a USB cable first to access the files.
Third-Party File Transfer Apps
Apps like SHAREit and Xender allow you to transfer files between Android and iOS devices over a WiFi connection. These third-party apps provide a simple way to share files cross-platform without needing a Mac or Windows PC.
To transfer an audio file using SHAREit:
- Install SHAREit on both your Android device and iPhone.
- Open SHAREit on both devices and select “Send.”
- On Android, select the audio file and tap Send.
- On iPhone, select “Receive” to begin receiving the file transfer.
- Accept the incoming file transfer request when prompted on the iPhone.
- The audio file will begin transferring from your Android device to your iPhone over WiFi.
- When complete, you will find the transferred audio file in your Photo Gallery on iPhone.
The process is similar with Xender. These apps provide an easy wireless way to transfer files between Android and iOS without needing a computer.
Bluetooth File Transfer
One direct way to transfer an audio file from an Android device to an iPhone is via Bluetooth. Here are the steps to send an audio file with Bluetooth:
First, you need to make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both your Android device and iPhone. Open the Settings app on each device and ensure Bluetooth is turned on.
Next, you will need to pair the two devices. On the Android device, go to the Bluetooth settings and make the device visible to other Bluetooth devices. On the iPhone, go to the Bluetooth settings and select the Android device when it appears in the list of available devices. Confirm pairing on both devices.
Once paired, you can use the file manager or gallery app on your Android device to locate the audio file you want to send. Select the share option, then choose Bluetooth. Your iPhone should appear as one of the available devices to send to. Tap it to begin the file transfer.
On the iPhone, you will get a Bluetooth pairing request notification. Accept it to receive the audio file. The file should now be successfully transferred from your Android device to your iPhone via Bluetooth.
The advantage of using Bluetooth is that you can transfer files if your Android and iPhone are close by without needing an internet connection. The downside is that it may be a slower transfer method for large files. Overall, Bluetooth file sharing is a simple way to directly send audio files between Android and iOS devices.
Conclusion
This article covered several methods for sending an audio file from an Android device to an iPhone. The simplest options are using a cross-platform messaging app like WhatsApp or Telegram, emailing the audio file, or using AirDrop if you have access to a Mac. More advanced methods include using third-party file transfer apps, Bluetooth file sharing, and cloud storage services.
For most users, the recommended options are using a messaging app or email. WhatsApp and Telegram allow easy sharing of audio messages across platforms. Emailing the audio file as an attachment provides a straightforward way to get the file from your Android to your iPhone. Both options only require you to have the app installed on each device.
Advanced users may prefer file sharing apps for greater control and options. AirDrop is seamless if you have a Mac, transferring the file wirelessly over the local network. Bluetooth file sharing also avoids cloud services but may be slower. Overall, the simplicity of messaging apps makes them the best choice for quickly sending audio messages between Android and iPhone.
References
[1] Android Central. “How to send audio messages on WhatsApp for Android.”
https://www.androidcentral.com/how-send-voice-messages-whatsapp-android
[2] Apple Support. “Share photos, videos, and more from the Photos app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.”
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201783
[3] Dropbox. “How To: Share large files.” https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/photos-videos/share-large-files
[4] Samsung. “Share files with Bluetooth on your Samsung Galaxy device.” https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00078774/
[5] FileZilla. “How to Transfer Files from Android to iPhone with FileZilla Server.” https://wiki.filezilla-project.org/How_to_Transfer_Files_from_Android_to_iPhone_with_FileZilla_Server