Transferring Samsung motion photos to an iPhone is straightforward, primarily utilizing cloud services that preserve the motion data. The most reliable method involves Google Photos.
To successfully transfer a motion photo from a Samsung device to an iPhone and ensure it plays as a Live Photo, Google Photos is your essential tool. This method works because Google Photos retains the motion data from your Android device's motion photos, allowing them to be viewed as Live Photos on an iPhone.
Why Google Photos is Your Go-To Solution
Google Photos acts as a universal bridge for media, capable of preserving the unique characteristics of motion photos captured on Android devices. When these photos are uploaded to Google Photos, the platform maintains the accompanying video data. This allows an iPhone, upon downloading the photo from Google Photos, to interpret it as a Live Photo, enabling playback of the short video clip.
Step-by-Step Guide: Transferring Motion Photos
Follow these steps to ensure your Samsung motion photos arrive on your iPhone as playable Live Photos:
-
Ensure Motion Photos are Uploaded to Google Photos (on your Samsung device):
- Open the Google Photos app on your Samsung phone.
- Verify that the specific motion photos you wish to transfer have been uploaded and backed up to your Google Photos library. You might need to enable "Backup & sync" in the Google Photos settings.
- Tip: Motion photos often appear with a small "motion" or "play" icon in the corner within the Google Photos app.
-
Access Google Photos on Your iPhone:
- Download and install the Google Photos app from the App Store on your iPhone if you haven't already.
- Sign in with the same Google account you used on your Samsung device to upload the photos.
-
Locate and Prepare the Photo on Your iPhone:
- Navigate through your Google Photos library on the iPhone to find the desired motion photo.
- Crucial Step: If you happen to have a still photo version of the same image already present in your iPhone's native Photos library (e.g., if it was transferred previously as a regular image or taken as a screenshot), you must delete this still photo from your iPhone's library first. This prevents conflicts and ensures the motion version is recognized correctly upon download.
-
Download the Motion Photo to Your iPhone:
- With the motion photo open in the Google Photos app on your iPhone, tap the three dots (More options) icon, usually in the top right corner.
- Select the "Download" or "Save to device" option. This will save the motion photo to your iPhone's native Photos app.
-
Verify Playback:
- Open your iPhone's Photos app.
- Find the newly downloaded photo. It should now appear as a Live Photo (indicated by a small concentric circles icon in the top left corner when viewed).
- Press and hold on the photo, and it should play as a Live Photo, just like those taken directly with an iPhone.
By following this method, you can seamlessly transfer your cherished motion moments from your Samsung device to your iPhone, maintaining their dynamic essence.
