How to Transfer Files from Android Device to Windows Computer

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

To transfer files from Android device to Windows PC, you need to connect the device via USB and enable file transfer mode (File Transfer). This way, you can access and view Android storage space just like a USB drive. After that, you can drag and drop files to move them however you want.

Step

Part 1 of 4: Connecting Devices

Step 1. Connect Android device to computer via USB

Use the cable you normally use to charge the device.

Step 2. Unlock Android screen

Step 3. Swipe down from the top of the device screen

Step 4. Touch the USB notification that is displayed

Step 5. Touch File Transfer or MTP

Step 6. Touch Just Once

You can select " Always ", but this option has a security risk if at any time the device is unlocked and used by someone else.

Step 7. Wait for Windows to finish installing the drivers

Pairing only occurs the first time you connect the device and is done automatically.

If there is a problem with the driver installation process for your device, visit the device manufacturer's support page and search for your device model to find the appropriate Windows USB driver

Part 2 of 4: Moving Files

Step 1. Click the “Start” menu

Step 2. Click the Computer or This PC button

On Windows 10, this button is indicated by a folder icon on the left side of the “Start” menu.

You can also press Win+E key to open a Windows Explorer window directly

Step 3. Double-click the Android device

The device is displayed in the "Devices" section. Maybe the device is simply labeled with its model number.

Make sure the device is unlocked and in “File Transfer”/”MTP” mode

Step 4. Double click Internal storage

Step 5. Browse Android device storage space

Step 6. Double click the folder to open it

Some of the folders that are generally designated as the file storage directory on a device include:

• "Downloads"
• "Documents"
• "Pictures"
• "Music"
• “DCIM” (photo from camera)

Step 7. Mark the files you want to move

Once you've found the file you want to copy to your computer, click on the file to mark it. You can click and drag the cursor to create a selection box, or hold down the Ctrl key while clicking each file that needs to be selected.

Step 8. Open the folder where you want to move the files on your computer

You can create a new folder for files from your device or place the files in a special folder. Leave the folder open to make moving files easier. You can also move files directly to the desktop if you want.

Step 9. Drag the selected files from the Android file browsing window to the destination folder that is still open

After that, the process of copying files to your computer will start.

Step 10. Wait for the file to finish moving

The transfer process can take a while for large files (or a large number of files). Do not unplug the Android device from the computer during the copying process.

When you're done moving files and you don't need to reconnect the device, you can disconnect it from your computer as long as no files are being sent

Part 3 of 4: Importing Images

Step 1. Click the “Start” menu

Step 2. Click the Computer or This PC icon

If you are using Windows 10, click the folder button on the left side of the “Start” menu.

You can also press Win+E. key

Step 3. Right-click the Android device icon

Step 4. Click Import pictures and videos

It may take a while to scan all the images stored on the device.

Step 5. Click Next on the displayed window

Step 6. Click the checkboxes to select the images you want to import

Step 7. Click and drag the Adjust groups slider

This slider changes the number of days covered by each group.

Step 8. Click Enter a name to change the folder name of each group

This name will be the name of the folder containing the photos from the device in the “Pictures” folder on the computer.

Step 9. Click Import to start moving the selected photos to your computer

Step 10. Decide if you want to delete the original photo files on the device

After the photo is transferred, you will be asked to keep or delete the original photo file on the device. Deleting photos can free up device storage space.

Step 11. Disconnect the Android device once the photo transfer process is complete

Part 4 of 4: Moving Files Wirelessly

Step 1. Touch the Play Store icon on the Android device

You can use a program called AirDroid to wirelessly transfer files from your device to your computer. AirDroid can be obtained for free from the Play Store.

Step 2. Search for "AirDroid" on Play Store

Step 3. Tap Install on the AirDroid app page

Step 4. Touch the Open button once AirDroid is installed

Step 5. Touch Sign Up

Step 6. Type in the new account information

Step 7. Visit airdroid.com via computer

Step 8. Click the Download button

Step 9. Double-click the downloaded installation file

Step 10. Follow the displayed installation prompts

Uncheck McAfee's offer if you don't want it. McAfee is not required to be installed for AirDroid to be used.

Step 11. Click Allow access when prompted by Windows

Step 12. Enter the new account information and click “Sign In”

Step 13. Touch File Transfer button on AirDroid app on Android device

Step 14. Touch “AirDroid Desktop”

Step 15. Touch the files you want to send

Step 16. Touch Transfer

The files will immediately be sent over the wireless network to the computer.