When transferring files from an iPhone to an Android device, issues often arise from differences in messaging protocols and file formats. iPhones using iMessage automatically convert high-quality videos and some other files into formats suitable only for Apple devices when sending via SMS/MMS (the fallback protocol used between iPhone and Android). Additionally, Android may lack specific applications or codecs needed to open proprietary Apple formats like HEVC video files without additional software support.

In practice, sending a video via a regular text message (SMS/MMS) from an iPhone to an Android phone frequently results in the Android user receiving a small, heavily compressed, and unplayable file. Similarly, attachments like Pages documents or Keynote presentations directly shared might not open on the Android side because equivalent apps aren't installed. Messaging apps like WhatsApp can avoid some SMS/MMS limitations, but file type incompatibility can still occur.

Using cloud storage links (Google Drive, Dropbox) or cross-platform apps (WhatsApp, email) bypasses compression and format issues, preserving quality. Key limitations stem from platform fragmentation and Apple's optimization for its ecosystem, which can frustrate users. This incompatibility highlights challenges in cross-platform communication, though adoption of universal formats like MP4 helps. Future improvements may rely on continued use of cloud services and industry support for open standards.