Slow Transfer Speed

Updated May 6, 2026 5 min read

This guide is for slow transfers after the iPhone and computer can already see each other. If the computer cannot find the iPhone at all, start with the Can't Find iPhone or iPad guide.

Speed depends on WiFi quality, distance from the router, file size, video format, other network traffic, whether originals are already on the device (vs. iCloud), and whether the phone or computer goes to sleep.

1

Improve WiFi quality

Move the iPhone closer to the router.
Move the computer closer too, or use Ethernet for the computer.
Use 5 GHz WiFi instead of 2.4 GHz when available.
Avoid guest, hotel, school, public, or work WiFi for large transfers.
Restart the router if the network has been unstable.
2

Reduce network load

Pause streaming video, video calls, and other large downloads on the same network.
Pause cloud backups and OS updates while transferring.
Turn off VPN temporarily if it slows local traffic.
3

Handle large files carefully

Large 4K videos take longer than photos. Start with a small batch to confirm speed, then scale up. If iCloud Photos with Optimized Storage is on, originals may live in iCloud and the iPhone has to re-download them before sending. That is often the real source of slow transfers.

If a single photo or video opens slowly in Photos, the original is not yet on-device. Open it in Photos first, wait until it loads, then re-try the transfer.

4

Keep devices awake

Keep Simple Transfer in the foreground on the iPhone.
Plug the iPhone into power for long transfers.
Stop the computer from sleeping until the transfer finishes.
Do not switch WiFi networks mid-transfer.

Related guides

Can't find iPhone or iPad

Fix device discovery, Local Network permission, VPN, firewall, and router issues.

Transfer with USB cable

Use a cable when WiFi is blocked, slow, or unreliable.

Transfer large videos

Transfer 4K and HEVC videos without broken imports or stalled downloads.

Transfer to Windows or Mac

Move photos and videos to Windows or Mac without cloud upload.