How to transfer files from Android to PC

One of the more basic tasks people want is to transfer files from their Android mobile or tablet to their laptop to keep files' backup. Sometimes it may be a picture, a song, document, or other files they want to be transferred.

Any file has its importance in our life. This file may include document files, photos collections files, audio files, etc. Most people keep their files (softcopy) in their Android smartphone as they are easy to get from any source. But, Android phones have limited storage space even by using an external SD card. So it is always recommended to transfer files from Android to PC regularly.

There are several reasons why people should transfer files from their Android phone to PC. Transferring files from Android to PC keeps their files safe as backup, and it also frees up storage space in Android phones or tablets.

This guide will discuss various ways to transfer your files from an Android device to a PC.

Various methods to transfer files from Android to PC are listed below

1. With a USB Cable
2. Using an SD Card
3. With Bluetooth Connection
4. Over Cloud Storage or Email
5. Using Android apps

Transfer files from Android to PC with a USB Cable

With an original USB cable, you can easily transfer files from your phone to a desktop/laptop. It is the easiest and most basic method to move files from your Android phone. It is always recommended to use the original USB cable with your mobile handset to avoid any issues.

In the method, you need no specific skill to move files with a USB cable. The thing only you need to transfer files from an Android device to your PC is an original USB cable that comes with your handset. This method is also the best way to transfer files from Android to PC because you can move a large number of files simultaneously in a very short duration. Following are the steps to transfer files from phone to PC using a USB cable:

On Android phone running on version 5.0 and later:

1. First of all, turn on and unlock both Android and PC devices.
2. Connect your Android phone and PC using an original USB cable.
3. On Android, you will see a notification showing "Charge only" it may vary based on device.
4. Under the section "Use USB to", select the File Transfer / Android Auto
   
5. You will see the Android storage (with the name of the phone model) appears on your PC.
   
6. Now, browse your phone's storage and copy and paste the data you want to transfer from Android to your PC.
   
7. Eject your Android device from your PC and unplug the USB cable when you are done.

On Android phone running on older version:

1. Turn on and unlock your Android phone. Connect it with your computer using a USB cable. When you first connect your Android phone to a PC, on older versions of an Android device, you will see an "Allow" access notification.
2. Tap on the "Allow" notification to continue; drag down the screen to visit the notification panel if it doesn't appear.
3. If the pop-up notification screen does not appear on Android, drag down the notification panel and select the File transfer. It will turn on the USB file transfer.
4. Now, look at your Windows PC, where it may ask you to select the action you want to perform after connecting both devices. Select the "View device and open files" option. Your computer automatically opens the folder view of your Android phone's storage.
5. If your PC doesn't open the File Explorer, go to the "This PC" section and identify your phone storage by its model name.
6. Now, browse the phone's storage and copy and paste the data you want to transfer from Android to your PC.

Transfer files from Android phone to PC using a micro SD Card

Most Android smartphones allow external SD cards as an additional storage space for a phone. A micro SD card can also be used for transferring files from an Android device to your PC. It is mainly used when you don't have a USB cable to connect both of your devices.

By default, all your files are saved in the phone's internal memory, but if you are using an SD card in your phone, you can set to save your file to an SD card, or you can copy and move them to an SD card. Using an SD card in a phone can free up lots of space for your phone's internal storage.

To transfer files from Android to PC using an SD card, you will need a micro SD card and card reader (micro SD adapter) along with your two devices. Here we have divided the complete process into two parts; in the first part, move your files to the SD card, and in the second part, move your files from the SD card to your PC.

Here are the steps you can follow to move files from Android phone to PC using a micro SD card:

Part 1: Move your files to an SD card

1. Make sure you have inserted an SD card into your Android phone.
2. Visit your file's source location (internal storage folder) on your Android phone.
3. Long press on the file you want to copy. It will pop up a menu screen; tap on the Copy
4. Now, go to the destination location (your SD card) on your phone, where you want to paste your copied file.
5. Tap on the PASTE option at the bottom of that specific location.
6. Now shut down your phone and eject the micro SD card from it.

Part 2: Now move files from your SD card to PC

1. Now insert your micro SD card into your card reader (micro SD adapter) and connect it to your computer.
2. Your SD card appears in File Explorer on your PC with an additional drive name.
3. Explore your SD card and move the files from it to your PC.

If your Android phone doesn't have an SD card slot, you may try to use a USB OTG pen drive in place SD card and card reader. Most of the modern Android smartphones come with a USB OTG feature.

Transfer files from Android to PC with Bluetooth Connection

Every computer system comes with Bluetooth supports that you can use for data sharing with another Bluetooth-supported device. Sending files from Android to a computer using a Bluetooth connection is a good option, especially while transferring smaller files. To start file transfer from Android to Windows PC via Bluetooth, you will need to turn On the Bluetooth feature on your Windows PC and then Android.

To enable Bluetooth on Windows (10) PC, go through the following steps:

1. Press "Win + I" to open the Settings screen.
2. Click on the Devices
   
3. On the next screen, click on the Bluetooth & other devices tab at the left panel and then turn On the Bluetooth toggle button. Once you have enabled the Bluetooth feature, a Bluetooth icon appears at the button right of the windows. Sometimes you may find this Bluetooth icon under Show hidden icons.
   
   Enabling the Bluetooth option in your PC makes your device discoverable, and it also scans for compatible devices.
   You also need to enable the Bluetooth function of your Android device. Swipe down from the top of the screen on your Android phone to open the quick setting panel (notification panel). Inside the quick setting, enable Bluetooth function.
   

After enabling Bluetooth function on both devices, here are the remaining steps to transfer files from Android to PC:

1. Ensure you have enabled the Bluetooth feature on both devices by following the above steps and ensuring your devices are discoverable.
2. Pair your Android phone with your computer via Bluetooth connection. To do this:
   • Go to the Bluetooth & other devices section and at the right side click on the Add Bluetooth or other device.
   • Choose Bluetooth as the kind of device you want to add.
   • Select your Android phone from the devices to connect (pair).
   • A screen prompt on your device to enter a security code generated by your PC; otherwise, your devices are paired.
     
3. Now on your Android device, visit the location of your files and choose the files you wish to move. Now tap on the share icon and select Bluetooth as a share option.
   
4. On your PC, click on the Bluetooth icon at the bottom and choose the option "Receive a file" from your phone to your computer.
   
5. On your Android device, select your PC from the list of discoverable devices.
   
6. File transfer starts automatically. Once files get transferred, click on the Finish button on your PC and save them on your device.
   

Transfer files from Android to PC over Cloud Storage or Email

Another great way to transfer files from an Android device to your computer (PC) or vice-versa is with the help of cloud storage services. Cloud services allow you to upload your files from your Android phone or computer, and then you can download them back on any device (computer or phone). You can use any cloud services you prefer, including Google Gmail or Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.

Files from Email transfer is a widely used method of-non disk data transfer between various devices. Following are the steps to transfer files from Android to PC using Cloud Service (Gmail account):

1. On your Android phone, go to your Gmail account (or other Cloud services you prefer) using an app or web browser.
2. Attach the files you want to transfer to your email and send it to yourself.
3. Using your computer device, go to your same account to access your messages.
4. Look for the message and attached files you send from your Android and download that attached files on your PC.

Transfer Files from Android to PC using Shared Windows Folders

Moving files from Android to your PC becomes simple if your phone has an Android file manager and a passionate Windows Sharing folder on your local network. Here, we are using a Solid Explorer File Manager; you can choose any other file manager app that you prefer. This app offers a feature known as FTP Server, which you can open by clicking on the menu button at upper left > scrolling down and expanding Toolbox.

Connect your Android phone with a Wi-Fi network and tap on the Start option to enable it. Enter the phone's FTP address into your PC's web browser (file manager) address bar. You will see your phone's folder structure on your PC.

Now, find the files or folder you wish to transfer, right-click on them and select the "Copy To Folder…" option. Now navigate to the destination folder (location) on your PC where you want to move your data and click on OK to copy there.

Transfer Files from Android to PC using Android apps

Other than the above-listed methods to move files from your Android phone to PC, you can also use Android apps for this job. Here are some popular files sharing Android apps are listed below, which you can use for transferring files from Android to PC:

Transfer Files from Android to PC with AirDroid

AirDroid is a popular app used for managing Android files system with PC. Not only do you transfer files between devices using AirDroid, but you can also send and receive SMS/MMS from your PC, see phone notifications on PC, and lots more. Besides Android, AirDroid also supports iOS, Windows PCs, and Macs. You can only get the basic stuff to do in its free version. To get everything, you need to subscribe to its premium services.

1. First, download and install the AirDroid app on your Android device from Play Store.
2. When you launch the app for the very first time, it will request to allow permission to access and manage all files on your device.
3. Tap on the Continue button and turn On the toggle button to allow access to manage all files.
4. Next, tap OK to view various Security & Remote Features.

You will find several tools in this app, but for files transferred to your PC, ensure that the Files option is turned On under the Security & Remote Features page.

Now, on your PC, download the AirDroid client application. Sign in the application and fill in the detail, whatever it asks for.

1. To transfer files, first ensure that your Android phone and PC are connected to the same network.
2. Select your PC name under the My devices tab and tap the paperclip icon.
3. Choose the files and pictures you wish to move and tap on the Send icon button.
   

Other popular apps are:

Pushbullet

Pushbullet is one of the popular Android apps used for transferring files from Android device to PC. It works similarly to the AirDroid app in transferring files from Android phone to PC. If you go for its premium version, it costs a little more. Some of the other essential features that it offers are:

• Easily send and receive text messages from your computer to your phone.
• Easily share files between your devices (Android and PC or vice versa).
• It offers a convenient way to open or share files on your mobile phone and PC.

Feem

Feem v4 Android app transfers data from one device to another connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Using this application, you can transfer whatever you want between both devices. The app supports phones, tablets, computers, laptops, etc. Each device needs to install the Feem application and run it.

• Download, install and run the Feem application on both sender & receiver devices, choose the files you want to move, select the receiver and click on Upload.
• Using this application, you can share pictures: phone-to-phone, phone-to-PC, and PC-to-phone.
• You don't need an active Internet connection to pair both devices, the application connects devices with the same Wi-Fi hotspot as SHAREit does.