This wikiHow teaches you how to transfer files and information from your iPhone or Android phone to your Windows or Mac computer. Data that can be sent from a cell phone to a computer include: photos, videos, notes, lists and contacts. You can use a USB cable to transfer files and information on your iPhone and Android devices. You can also use Bluetooth to transfer files from your iPhone to a Mac computer, or from an Android device to a Windows computer.
Step
Method 1 of 7: Using a USB Cable for iPhone
Step 1. Make sure you already have iTunes on your computer
You can save backups from your iPhone to your computer through the iTunes program, which you can download and use for free.
If you don't already have iTunes on your computer, download and install the program before moving on to the next step
Step 2. Connect iPhone to computer
Connect the USB end of the iPhone charging cable to one of the computer's USB ports, and plug the other end of the charging cable into the iPhone port.
Step 3. Open iTunes
The program is marked by a colorful musical note icon on a white background.
Step 4. Click the iPhone icon
It's an iPhone-shaped icon in the upper-left corner of the iTunes window.
Step 5. Check the box " This Computer"
It's in the " Backups " section of the iPhone page. With this option, the data on the phone will be copied to the computer, and not to the iCloud account.
Step 6. Click Back Up Now
It's a gray button to the right of the " Backups " section. iPhone will start backing up the files and copy them to your computer.
You can see the progress of the backup process via the progress bar at the top of the iTunes window
Step 7. Wait for the backup process to complete
After the process ends, a buzzer will sound and you can disconnect your iPhone from the computer.
Method 2 of 7: Using USB Cable for Android Device on Windows Computer
Step 1. Connect Android device to computer
Connect the USB end of the device's charging cable to one of your computer's USB ports, and the other end of the cable to your Android device.
Step 2. Touch the "USB" notification on the Android device
When prompted, confirm your choice of using a USB connection to send files by tapping the appropriate notification on the device. At this point, you can switch to your computer to continue the data transfer process.
Step 3. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 4. Open File Explorer
Click the folder icon in the lower-left corner of the “Start” window.
Step 5. Click This PC
It's on the left side of the File Explorer window. You may need to swipe up or down the left pane to find the option.
Step 6. Double click your Android device
In the “Devices and drives” section of the “This PC” folder, double-click the Android device name. After that, the device folder will be opened.
Step 7. Find the file you want to move
Most Android devices require you to open a storage folder (eg " Internal ") before you can view any other information stored on the device. However, you may also need to open a few different additional folders.
For Android devices with removable storage, you can usually find the files in the " SD " or " Removable " folder instead of the " Internal " folder
Step 8. Select a file or folder
Click the file or folder that you want to move to your computer. If you want to select multiple files, press and hold the Ctrl key while clicking each item.
Step 9. Copy the file or folder
Press the Ctrl+C key combination to copy the selected file or folder.
Step 10. Visit the location where the copied content is saved
On the left sidebar of the File Explorer window, click the folder on your computer (eg " Documents ") where you want to save the copied content.
Step 11. Paste the file or folder
Press the Ctrl+V key combination to paste it. The copied content will be displayed in the selected folder. It may take some time for the files to finish copying to the computer, depending on the overall size of the copied content.
You can also follow this process in reverse by copying a file or folder from your computer and pasting it into a folder on your Android device's internal storage space
Method 3 of 7: Using USB Cable for Android Device on Mac Computer
Step 1. Download and install the Android File Transfer program
This program is free to download and use, and is necessary if you want to browse the files on your device on a Mac. To download the Android File Transfer program:
- Visit
- Click " DOWNLOAD NOW ”
- Double-click the Android File Transfer DMG file.
- Verify software if prompted.
- Click and drag the Android File Transfer icon to the “Applications” folder.
Step 2. Connect the Android device to the computer
Connect the USB end of the device's charging cable to one of your computer's USB ports, and the other end of the cable to your Android device.
If your Mac uses a USB-C port instead of a USB 3.0 port, you'll need a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter to connect your device to your computer
Step 3. Touch the "USB" notification on the Android device
When prompted, confirm your choice of using a USB connection to send files by tapping the appropriate notification on the device. At this point, you can switch to your computer to continue the data transfer process.
Step 4. Open Android File Transfer
If the Android File Transfer program does not open automatically, click “ Spotlight ”
in the upper-right corner of your computer screen, type android file transfer into the Spotlight search bar, and double-click the Android File Transfer app icon.
Step 5. Find the file you want to send
Most Android devices require you to open a storage folder (eg " Internal ") before you can view any other information stored on the device. However, you may also need to open a few different additional folders.
For Android devices with removable storage, you can usually find the files in the "SD" or "Removable" folder instead of the "Internal" folder
Step 6. Select the file or folder
Click the file or folder that you want to move to your computer. If you want to select multiple files, press and hold the Command key while clicking each item.
Step 7. Copy the file or folder
Press the Command+C key combination to copy the selected file or folder.
Step 8. Visit the location where the copied content is saved
On the left side of the Finder window, click the folder on your computer (eg " Desktop ") where you want to save the copied content.
Step 9. Paste the file or folder
Press the key combination Command+V to paste it. The copied content will be displayed in the selected folder. It may take some time for the files to finish copying to the computer, depending on the overall size of the copied content.
You can also follow the same process in reverse by copying a file or folder from your computer and pasting it into a folder on your Android device's internal storage space
Method 4 of 7: Using iPhone Bluetooth on Mac Computer
Step 1. Turn on the Bluetooth of the device
Open the settings menu ( Settings ”)
touch Bluetooth ”, and touch the white “Bluetooth” switch
. The switch color will turn green after touch
If the switch is green, Bluetooth is already active on the device
Step 2. Enable Bluetooth on Mac computer
Click the menu Apple ”
choose " System Preferences… ", click " Bluetooth, and click " Turn Bluetooth On ” which is on the left side of the window.
If Bluetooth is on, this button will be labeled with “ Turn Bluetooth Off " Do not click the button if the label is displayed.
Step 3. Look for the name of your iPhone
The device name will appear in the "Devices" section of the Bluetooth window after a while.
Step 4. Click Pair
It's to the right of the iPhone's name. After that, the Mac computer and iPhone will be connected to each other.
Step 5. Open the file you want to move or share
On your phone, open the photo, video, or note you want to send to your Mac.
Step 6. Touch "Share" button
This button is usually displayed in one corner of the screen. After that, a menu will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Step 7. Touch the Mac computer name
The name will appear at the top of the menu. After that, the selected file will be sent to the " AirDrop " folder on the computer. You can find the folder by opening the Finder and looking for the folder in the left sidebar of the window.
- You may need to wait a few seconds before the computer name is displayed.
- You can move files from your Mac to your iPhone by opening the “AirDrop” folder, waiting for the iPhone name to appear on the screen, and clicking and dragging the file to the iPhone name.
Method 5 of 7: Using Android Device Bluetooth on Windows Computer
Step 1. Turn on the Bluetooth of the device
Swipe down from the top of the screen, press and hold the icon “ Bluetooth ”
long enough, and touch the white switch
next to the "Bluetooth" heading. Switch color will change
which indicates that Bluetooth is now on.
- If the switch is blue or green, the device's Bluetooth is turned on.
- On a Samsung Galaxy, this switch is to the right of the "OFF" text, and will turn blue or green when touched.
Step 2. Enable Bluetooth on Windows computer
Open menu Start ”
choose Settings ”
click " Devices, select tabs " Bluetooth & other devices ” that appears on the left side of the window, and click the " Off " switch
which is under the "Bluetooth" section heading. After that, the switch will shift to the right.
If the message " On " is displayed next to the switch, Bluetooth on the computer is enabled
Step 3. Click Add Bluetooth or other device
It's at the top of the page. After that, the menu will be displayed.
Step 4. Click Bluetooth
This option is in the menu. After that, the computer will search for your Android device.
Step 5. Click the device name
The name will appear in the menu.
If you don't see the device name, look for the computer name in the Bluetooth menu of the device and, if you do see it, touch the name. The name of your Android device will appear in the computer's Bluetooth menu after that
Step 6. Click Pair
It's below the Android device name in the menu.
Step 7. Click Yes on the code request window
If the code displayed on the computer matches the code displayed on the Android device, click “ Yes " If not, click " No ”, then try to reconnect the Android device with the computer.
Step 8. Click the Bluetooth icon
It's a blue icon in the lower-right corner of your computer screen. You may need to click the “ ^ ” first to see the Bluetooth icon.
Step 9. Click Receive a File
It's in the pop-up menu. After that, a new window will open.
Step 10. Locate the file you want to send from your Android device
You can choose a photo or video, for example.
If you have a File Explorer app (eg ES File Explorer) on your Android device, you can browse the Android device's internal files (eg downloaded app API files)
Step 11. Select the file
Touch and hold a file to select it. If you select a photo or video, you can touch the file to open it.
Step 12. Touch the menu button
Usually, this button is a “ ⋮
"or " ⋯" On some Samsung Galaxy phones, this button is represented by the “ MORE " After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 13. Touch the “Share” option
The appearance and name of this option will differ depending on the device used.
Step 14. Select "Bluetooth"
Again, the appearance of these options will differ from device to device.
Step 15. Choose a computer name
Touch the name of your computer displayed in the menu.
Step 16. Click the confirmation message on the computer
If you are prompted to accept or reject the transmission of data on the computer, click “ Yes ”.
Step 17. Follow the prompts shown on the screen
After you verify receipt of the file on the computer and specify the location to which it will be copied, the file will be sent to the computer.
You can also send files to your Android device by clicking on the “ Send a File ” in the Bluetooth pop-up menu, drag the file to be transferred to the transfer window, follow the on-screen prompts, and touch the option “ Accept ” (or similar) on the Android device when prompted.
Method 6 of 7: Downloading Contacts Data on iPhone
Step 1. Sync contact data (“Contacts”) to iCloud
To sync:
- Open the settings menu (" Settings ”)
- Touch the Apple ID business card that appears at the top of the page.
- Touch " iCloud ”
- Tap the white switch next to the " Contacts " option. If the switch is already green, you don't need to touch it again.
Step 2. Open the iCloud website
Visit https://www.icloud.com/ in a browser. After that, the iCloud dashboard page will appear if you're already signed in to your account.
If you're not signed in to your account, enter your Apple ID email address and password to sign in
Step 3. Click Contacts
This option is indicated by a human silhouette icon. After that, a list of contacts will be displayed.
Step 4. Click the contact
Select any contact shown in the middle column.
Step 5. Select all contacts
Press the Ctrl+A key combination (or Command+A on a Mac) to select all contacts.
Step 6. Click ️
It's in the lower-left corner of the page. After that, a pop-up menu will be displayed.
Step 7. Click Export vCard…
You can see these options in the pop-up menu. After that, the contact's vCard file will be downloaded to your computer.
Method 7 of 7: Downloading Cloud Data on Android Device
Step 1. Back up data from Android device
Before downloading content such as contact information, you need to back up data from your Android device to Google Drive.
Make sure you are using an internet connection (eg WiFi) instead of a mobile data connection
Step 2. Open Google Drive
Visit https://drive.google.com/ in a browser. After that, your Google Drive account will be displayed if you are already signed in.
- If you're not logged into your Google Drive account, enter your email address and password to continue.
- This account is the account used to copy data from Android devices. If the account is different, click your initials in the top right corner of the Drive page, click the “ Sign out ”, and log back in using the correct account.
Step 3. Click the Backups tab
It's in the lower-left corner of the Google Drive page.
Step 4. Select the backup file to download
Click the backup file that you want to download to your computer.
Step 5. Click
It's in the top-right corner of the page. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 6. Click Download
This option is in the drop-down menu. After that, the backup file from your Android device will be downloaded to your computer.
Tips
- If you're having trouble connecting your phone to your computer, try using a different USB port.
- Another way to send data from your phone to your computer (or vice versa) is to use an internet storage service or cloud storage (eg iCloud or Google Drive). You can download the file to the storage service from your phone, open the service's website from your computer, and download the file.
- The contacts on the Android device are automatically copied to the Google account. You can manage these contacts online.
Warning
- Some data types are not compatible with certain platforms (eg some data from Apple cannot be viewed on Android devices).
- You cannot use an iPhone to transfer files to a Windows 10 computer via Bluetooth.
