8 Best Ways To Transfer Files From Android To PC: Free And Easy

In a world where every second million data is being transferred, modern users often need a backup device to store their favorite music, pictures, videos, or important documents. 

Our Android phones come with limited storage compared to the amount of data we share. To safeguard our precious pictures, empty some storage on the device, or backup important documents, users often transfer files from Android to PC (Windows and Mac).

Various methods to transfer files from Android to PC

Whether you are a beginner who wants to learn how to transfer files from Android to PC or you are someone who has some experience with transferring files, we have compiled a free and easy guide that will familiarize you with the various methods of transferring files between your Android phone and Personal Computer. 

Method 1. How To Transfer Files From Android To PC Via USB Cable

The oldest and most commonly used method of transferring files from an Android device to a PC is using a USB cable. The steps for transferring files differ based on the operating system you have.

Part 1. Windows

For users with Windows operating system on their PC, here’s how you can transfer photos or other data.

• Use your Android phone’s USB cable to connect to your Windows PC.
• Unlock your phone and swipe down the notification panel. Click the “Charging via USB” notification and select “File transfer” from the open menu.
• Navigate to This PC on your computer. Under the Local Drives section, search for your phone’s name.
• Double click on the phone’s name drive to see the content within. Choose Internal Storage.

• Copy and paste the necessary folders and files from the phone’s internal storage to your PC.

Part 2. Mac

Mac users need to download the Android File Transfer utility to transfer files between Android and PC. Here’s how you can share files from Android to PC.

• You need to download and install the Android File Transfer utility on your Mac.
• Use your Android phone’s USB cable to connect to your Mac PC.
• Unlock your phone and swipe down the notification panel. Click the “Charging via USB” notification and select “File transfer” from the open menu.
• Navigate to Finder on your Mac and choose the Andoird File Transfer utility you recently downloaded.
• Double click on the phone’s name drive to see the content within. Choose Internal Storage.
• Copy and paste the necessary folders and files from the phone’s internal storage to your PC.

Method 2. How To Transfer Files From Android To PC Wireless

Sometimes when transferring via USB cable, it gives errors such as no device found. Here is an alternate method that you can use to share files from Android to PC wirelessly without a USB cable.

Part 1. How To Transfer Files From Your Android Smartphone To PC Via Wi-Fi Direct

Wi-Fi Direct is a sort of Bluetooth over Wi-Fi network that allows your computers or smartphones to join without being connected to any shared public network. You will need third-party apps such as the ones listed below to transfer the files to use Wi-Fi direct. 

1. Anydroid
2. Pushbullet

1. Anydroid

Anydroid is a free third-party Wi-Fi transfer tool used by millions of users to transfer files between Androids or Android and PC.

• Download and install Anydroid on your Windows or Mac PC from its website and your Android smartphone using Google Play Store. Launch the app on both devices.
• On your Android, tap the scanning QR code icon and scan the QR code available on the Anydroid app on your PC.
• After the devices are connected, choose the “Content to Computer” option to transfer files from Android to PC. 
• Choose the file categories you would like to transfer and click the Next button to initiate the process.

2. Pushbullet

Pushbullet is a third-party all-in-one mirroring app that can be used to share files between your Android and Windows or Mac PC using a stable internet connection.

• Download and install the Pushbullet software on your Windows PC and Android device. You can install it as a Chrome web browser extension, Firefox browser extension, or as a standalone Windows software.
• Once installed, log into the software on both devices via your preferred Google or Facebook account.
• Launch the Pushbullet app on your Android smartphone and tap the Pushing tab on the bottom left corner. In the dropdown, choose the device with which you want to share or choose the default “All devices” option, which will allow you to share files with any device connected to Pushbullet.
• Establish the connection to Pushbullet on your desktop app or extension. Tap the attachment button and choose the file, photo, or sound you want to share.
• Once the file is attached, tap the Send icon to transfer the file to your PC.
• After the file is sent, it will be available on your PC form, where you can download it. You can locate the file in the Downloads folder of your computer. The time taken for transfer and download will depend on the size of the file and your internet connection speed.
• The app also offers a Remote files feature to view all the files on your phone and transfer them.

Part 2. How To Transfer Files From Android To PC Via Bluetooth

Transferring files via Bluetooth is one of the most common methods to move videos, photos, or other files from Android to PC without any USB cable, internet connection, or third-party apps.

• Please open the Settings app on your Android phone and navigate the Bluetooth option. Tap the toggle to turn on Bluetooth. Alternatively, you can select the Bluetooth icon in the notifications drawer. Ensure that your device is discoverable by nearby Bluetooth connections.
• To enable Bluetooth on your PC, launch the Settings app. In the Settings app, navigate to Devices -> Bluetooth & other devices.

• On your PC, click on Add a device. Choose Bluetooth in the pop-up window. From the list of available Bluetooth devices, tap the name of your smartphone and Pair them. 

• You will receive a passcode on your smartphone and PC. Ensure that the passcodes are the same. Tap OK on Android and Yes on your PC.
• Please choose “Send or receive files via Bluetooth on your Android and PC. 
• On Android, choose to Send files, choose your PC, and choose the files you want to send by clicking the Browse button.
• On PC, choose to Receive files and choose the location where you want the files to be stored.

Part 3. How To Transfer Files From Android To PC Via Cloud Service

There are multiple cloud storage services, such as Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc., that you can use to share files between any devices synced with the same account.

1. DropBox
2. Google Drive

1. DropBox

• Download and install Dropbox on your phone and log in using your Dropbox account. 
• Launch the software and tap the “+” icon given on the bottom of your screen to upload files.
• Choose Upload photos or videos from the menu and select the files you want to share to your PC.
• Click on the “UPLOAD” button.
• Once the files are uploaded, you can download them on your PC by logging onto the Dropbox website using the same credentials you used on your smartphone. 

2. Google Drive

• Please launch the Google Drive app on your Android smartphone and tap the “+” icon given at the bottom of your screen to upload files.

• Click on the Upload option and choose the files you want to upload to your Google Drive account.
• Once the files are uploaded, you can download them on your PC by logging onto the Google drive using the same credentials you used on your smartphone.

Method 3. How To Transfer Files From Android To PC Via Sending an Email

Emails are widely used non-disk data-sharing platforms that allow users to share files as attachments to other users or themselves. You can use Gmail, Outlook, or any other email application to share files from your Android to your PC.

• Please launch the Gmail app on your Android and click on Compose email. Enter the recipient’s name as yourself.
• Use the Attachment icon in the mail to attach the files you want to add. Ensure that the file size is less than 25MB. 

• Once attached, click on the Send icon to send the file.
• Navigate to Gmail on your PC. You would have received the email sent from your smartphone to yourself.
• Download the attachment to your computer.

Final Words

You can opt for the USB cable or cloud services method to share large files. You can also opt for Wi-Fi Direct method to use third-party sharing apps. The Bluetooth is useful when you have no internet connection and want to transfer small files. 

To share files between your phone and PC when both devices are far away, or no connection can be established, you can use the Email or cloud services.

Whether your phone and PC are nearby or far, with or without an internet connection, you can choose any of the methods given in the guide to share files from your Android to your Windows or Mac PC.

Frequently Asked Questions