It is an ancient story. The file is with the computer, it wants to enter the file on your cell phone, but cannot find the appropriate application to do so. Transferring files from Android to PC is often a hassle, but it’s getting easier, in fact, today there are several ways to do it.
In this guide, we will teach you exactly how to transfer files from Android to your computer, whether you want to use more traditional software or hardware solution. Here we will help you, in one way or another, to have your documents, photos or audios in your favorite folder.
Application for transfers via wifi
If your computer is connected to a Wi-Fi network, one of the easiest ways to send files to a mobile device is to set up wireless transfer. These services specialize in transferring information through a Wi-Fi network and a mobile device.
If you’re running Windows 10, Microsoft‘s Your Phone Companion app for Android should be your main access service. It is linked to the native Your Phone application , supplied through the Microsoft Store.
With the two devices synchronized through your Microsoft account, you can move files between them, answer calls on your Windows 10 computer and send text messages without touching the cell phone. You don’t need a USB cable for this to work.
Unfortunately, there is no similar app for macOS. Anyway, Google provides a DMG file that you can download and install on your Mac: Android File Transfer . Once installed, you must physically connect your Android phone to browse your files and folders.
In addition to those two solutions, you also have third-party options. For example, Pushbullet provides a file transfer service called Portal . Once you install the application and scan the QR code of its page, you can upload images, videos and documents through the site and on your mobile phone. It’s especially easy with Google Chrome because you can drag and drop them to transfer them from one device to another instantly.
If you want something a little less complete, Send Anywhere and AirDroid are explicitly designed to transmit files from your phone to your computer.
Cloud storage service
Most of the best cloud storage providers offer a reasonable alternative to wifi transfer applications.
Just launch your favorite browser, sign up for a cloud service like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, and then upload your files. Afterwards, you can download the application on your cell phone and whenever you have a data or Wi-Fi connection, you will have the possibility of accessing the same information.
If you have a Windows 10 PC, OneDrive should be your cloud service, since it is integrated into the operating system. Even if you are on a Mac computer OneDrive is also a great solution once you download and install the Microsoft desktop app. Do you have a Microsoft 365 subscription? Even better.
With OneDrive, your information will remain in the cloud, but will be accessible to any device with access to the account. This accessibility is useful when you need to transfer data between different platforms, making it easy to share it with friends and colleagues.
However, both drag and drop transfers and cloud services have some security issues. If you are not using a secure wireless network, there is a possibility of being the victim of data theft.
You have to be smart about your transfers and confidential information – we recommend enabling two-step verification and using a single password (save it in a password manager) on all your cloud storage accounts.
Connect via Bluetooth
Bluetooth has many benefits in an era dominated by Wi-Fi, and while pairing isn’t as fast or easy as cloud storage, you can do it without the need for internet access. Just turn on Bluetooth on your computer and mobile device, then look on your computer to see if it detects a nearby device. This is where you should look:
- Windows : Settings > Devices> Bluetooth and other devices
- macOS : Preferences> Bluetooth
Most computers will open a confirmation window, where you will have to write a code or compare numbers. This will allow the computer to connect to your mobile device and it should appear as an external drive in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS).
On many computers, you can select Send a file from the Bluetooth menu by clicking on the logo in the lower right corner of your screen.
Bluetooth is a reliable method because most devices offer this type of connectivity, and once connected, it is easy to automatically reconnect. However, if you have a very old computer and a newer mobile device, there may be some problems with the matching protocols.
There is also the possibility that your computer does not have Bluetooth. Although you could buy a Bluetooth adapter, that doesn’t exactly help you transfer those files right now.
Use Nearby Share (coming soon)
In the early 2000s, Google developed something called Android Beam that allowed you to quickly share files with nearby devices using NFC (Near Field Communication). Google dropped Android Beam entirely in early 2019, but Android 11 will have a replacement called Nearby Sharing .
Nearby sharing works with a combination of Bluetooth and direct wifi to quickly detect nearby devices, connect and send files. Like Apple‘s AirDrop, it will be available with innate Android sharing services, as well as Google Files.
Like AirDrop, you will receive a notification on your other device that allows you to accept or reject a sent file. The process seems quick and simple, so be careful when Android 11 arrives.
Use your USB connection
If you don’t mind working with cables, a USB can help you quickly access Android files from your computer. USB-C makes this particularly easy with its powerful data transfer and ease of use.
While Android phones are likely to have USB-C, not all devices have this last connector. Furthermore, your PC may not even have USB-C connectivity, since by default USB-A is the most classic and familiar port.
These are the different types of cables that you can find in modern Android phones:
- Micro-USB to USB-A
- Micro-USB to USB-C
- USB-C to USB-A
- USB-C to USB-C
You may need to purchase an adapter for your computer. Simply connect the two devices and access your cell phone as if it were an external storage device. This method is local, fast, and more secure than cloud transfers. But you need to have the right cables on hand to make it work!
When all else fails, try a USB drive
While the common USB drive has recently fallen out of favor due to wireless functionality and cloud storage, sometimes the best option still remains to use a flash drive or external hard drive to move your files.
Not only is setting up a USB connection safer than transferring your data wirelessly, but it’s also ideal when you want to save a large amount of content and transfer it all to multiple devices at once without overloading your wireless network.
The key is to choose the right USB device to use. Many Android devices, for example, use USB On-The-Go , which can be paired with compatible USB storage devices and enables fast transfers between your computer and Android devices.