12 Tips to Fix Android File Transfer Not Working

Connecting a smartphone to a computer through USB is a systematic method. Most prevalent when transferring files between devices.

You might find that your Android file transfer option isn’t working. It occurs after the two devices have been connected. This problem can occur on both Windows and a Mac computer.

android file transfer not working

There isn’t a single reason you can’t transfer files from your Mac and Android device to your Windows PC or vice versa. The cause could be anything from minor hardware to critical software issues. The following are the most common reasons:

  • Errors in the hardware of a computer or an Android device
  • The USB drive has a problem.
  • Device drivers are missing.
  • Drivers that are no longer supported

I’ll discuss the topic of Android file transfer not working. It doesn’t matter if you’re using Windows or Mac. I’ll offer a simple solution.

Android File Transfer Not Working on Windows/Mac?

The issue of Android file transfer not working on Windows 10 might be caused by various circumstances.

According to reports and feedback from individuals on the internet. The most common causes of Android file transfer not working are:

  • Incompatibility and the lack of necessary drivers.
  • Incompatible hardware.

There could be specific issues with the Android device

  • Incorrect settings
  • Third-party applications.
  • An outdated Android OS.

To help you to solve this problem, I have compiled a list of tried-and-true solutions on this page. Usually, the specific cause for Android file transfer not working on Mac/Windows is unknown. You can try each strategy one at a time until you find one that works for you.

Methods To Solve Android File Transfer Not Working

When the file transfer feature on your Android device is disabled, it’s usually because your USB cable or Mac’s USB port has become broken.

  1. Check Hardware Issues
  2. Use A Different USB Cable
  3. USB Debugging
  4. Update The Android Device
  5. Run The Hardware Troubleshooter
  6. Select File Transfer In USB Preferences
  7. Enable Developers Option
  8. Turn On Airplane Mode
  9. Clear The External Storage Cache
  10. Install Windows Media Feature Pack
  11. Update The MTP Driver Manually 
  12. Use Third-Party App
  1. Check Hardware Issues

Check the hardware if the Android file transfer isn’t working. Hardware faults might make it difficult to transfer files to and from an Android device. You can examine all of the hardware that is involved in file transfer. The core hardware consists of a charging jack and a USB port.

The hardware issue must be identified first. No change in the settings or program can start the file transfer, as if the problem is hardware-related.

  1. Use A Different USB Cable

To transfer data from an Android device, you’ll need a USB port and a USB cord. If they’re broken, USB devices are not recognized. “Android file transfer not working” issue display as expected.

usb debugging damaged USB cable

In most cases, your computer has many USB ports. You might try a different USB port to see whether it works properly.

On the other hand, we recommend connecting your Android device to your computer with the original or genuine USB cable. However, if the USB cable is defective, you might try a different USB cable.

  1. USB Debugging

If the problem persists, fix android file transfer by using a different USB cable. Many options are available to transfer files after USB Debugging.

  • Use a USB cord to connect your Android phone to your Mac.
  • Swipe down the screen on your Android phone to get the “Settings” option.
  • Turn on USB Debugging and select “Media device (MTP)” from the drop-down menu. 
Media device (MTP)
  • Alternatively, try switching to PTP and then back.
  1. Update The Android Device

The Android file transfer not working because of an older Android device version. If any updates are available for your device, download and install them.

  • Ensure your phone is linked to the internet via Wi-Fi.
  • Open the Settings menu.
  • Select About Phone from the menu.
system updates
  • Check for updates by tapping the Check for Updates button.
update
  • An Update button will show if an update is available. It should be tapped.
  • Update your software depending on the operating system. Install Now, Reboot and Install, or Install System Software are the options. It should be tapped. The phone will restart.
  1. Run The Hardware Troubleshooter

When the file transmission on Android isn’t working on your Windows 10 computer, you can use the hardware troubleshooter. It will identify and resolve the problem. Running the troubleshooter can help if the problem is with the Windows hardware.

If you’re using a Windows PC that’s older than 1809, you’ll need to upgrade. The troubleshooter can then be used. Follow the steps below and run the troubleshooter.

  • To access Settings, press Windows key + I and select Update & Security.
Update & Security
  • Click Troubleshoot on the left panel. Hardware and Devices can be found in the right section of the window, under Troubleshoot.
Troubleshoot
  • When we use Windows troubleshooting, we can diagnose minor faults in the Windows hardware.
Windows troubleshooting
  1. Select File Transfer In USB Preferences

Use a USB connection to connect your Android handset to your Windows computer. It selects the ‘No data transfer’ option by default. And if you choose this option, you won’t be able to access the phone’s internal storage from your PC or laptop.

You’ll need to adjust your USB options.

  • To do so, tap on the Charging this device through USB notification.
  • Click on the Charging This Device Via USB Notification.
Charging This Device Via USB
img 617dbb96616ae
  • Choose File Transfer from the drop-down menu.
file transfer
  • The internal storage can now be used to transfer mac android file transfer.

We sometimes forget to change the settings and depend on the default. In this instance, the default selection may impede your file transmission.

  1. Enable Developers Option

Suppose the USB settings notice does not appear on your device. Android file transfer not working. Enable the Developer option. Select the file transfer mode.

  • Go to Settings > About device > Build number and click it seven times. Developer Option should now be enabled in the options.
Build number
  • Select Default USB Configuration from the drop-down menu.
  • In the Networking area, look for USB Configuration and click it. After that, choose File Transfer.
  • You can now attempt to transfer data from Android to Windows.

If the issue is solely with the notice, the (transfer) Android files can be enabled by modifying the Developer options settings.

  1. Turn On Airplane Mode

External interference might cause problems with the MTP file transfer protocol. When the android file transfer is not working, this could be the cause. 

Windows 10

  • Go to Settings Network & Internet to enable airplane mode on Windows. 
  • From the left panel, select Airplane mode.
Airplane mode
  • To turn it on, toggle the switch underneath the Airplane mode.

Android Devices

  • Go to Settings on Android to enable airplane mode. Then there’s the internet and Wi-Fi.
  • Toggle the switch adjacent to the Airplane mode to the off position.

Once the transmission is complete, you can switch off airplane mode on both devices.

  1. Clear The External Storage Cache

You should erase the external storage cache. Fix android file transfer not working. If your device runs Android version 7 or later, you won’t be able to erase the external storage cache. Also, you need to delete the android file transfer app cache. 

  • To show the system, go to Settings Apps, hit the three dots in the upper left corner, and select Show system.
  • Click on Storage after searching for External Storage.
  • Finally, select Delete Cache to clear the cache.
  • To enable file transfer, clear the cache.
  • Select Clear The Cache from the drop-down menu.

Now see if the file can be transferred without any problems.

If any undesired files have been cached and are obstructing file transfer, emptying the cache may assist.

  1. Install Windows Media Feature Pack

The Windows Feature Pack is missing from the KN and N editions of Windows 10. It can cause problems with Android USB file transfer. You can look in the registry editor to see what’s going on. 

  • Search for the “WindowsMediaVersion” folder in the path listed below in the registry editor.
  • HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/WindowsFeatures/Windows Media Version
  • If this folder/key exists, your computer has Windows Media Feature installed. It is not necessary to download it. Otherwise, you can get it through the sources below.
  • Windows Media Feature Pack for N and KN versions is available for download.
  • Using the Build Number, get the Windows Media Feature Pack for N editions.

If the Windows Media Feature Pack is not installed, MTP drivers will not work.

  1. Update The MTP Driver Manually 

The Windows Media Framework includes MTP, which stands for Media Transfer Protocol. It enables you to transfer files to your Android phone and your computer. Suppose there is a problem with the Media Transfer Protocol. It will fix android file transfer not working without a doubt.

To manually install the MTP USB device driver, follow these steps:

  • Open the File Explorer program.
  • It is the path to take: C:\Windows\INF.
  • Look for the wpdmtp.inf file. Choose Install from the popup menu by right-clicking on it.
  • The installation will take few seconds to complete. 
  • Restart your computer to verify if the Android file transfer not working issue has been resolved.
  1. Use Third-Party App to Transfer Files

There are plenty of alternatives to Android File Transfer. It makes it simple to transfer data between Mac and an Android phone. Choose any one of those to fix the android file transfer not working issue.

Conclusion 

When Android file transfer fails, the alternatives listed above will undoubtedly come in handy. The problem with file transfer is usually solved by changing the USB cable or updating the MTP driver. You can also use the android file transfer alternative.