Are you looking for ways to quickly transfer files from Android to PC?
In this digital age, transferring files from one device to another is something that we all have to do at some point. Whether you’re moving photos and videos from your phone to your computer or trying to get a document from your office computer onto your home laptop, the process can be frustrating if you don’t know what you’re doing.
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In this blog post, we will discuss 5 of the fastest ways to transfer files from Android to PC!
Why you may want to transfer files from Android to PC?
There are many reasons you might want to transfer files from your Android phone or tablet to a computer.
- You need to send a video file to someone but it’s too large to send via email.
- Perhaps, you want to back up your photos and videos in case your phone is lost or damaged.
- You are performing the factory reset on your Android device and need to backup your data to restore it afterward.
- Maybe you just want to free up storage space on your phone by moving files to your computer.
Whatever the reason, there are a few different ways that you can transfer files from Android to PC.
5 Fastest Ways to Transfer Files from Android to PC
Here are the five fastest ways to transfer files from Android to PC,
Using File Transfer Applications
The fastest way to transfer files from Android to PC is by using one of the many file transfer applications available on the Google Play Store. These applications use the WiFi connection to transfer files from your Android device to the PC.
There are many different file transfer applications available like Apple’s AirDrop on the Google Play Store that you can use to quickly and easily transfer files from your Android device to your computer. Some of these apps even allow you to share files between multiple devices, making them great for families or small businesses.
Here are some popular file transfer apps for Android:
Xender
Xender is a cross-platform file-sharing app that supports Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. It is one of the most popular file-sharing apps with over 500 million users.
Xender uses a Wi-Fi connection to transfer files between devices. It can transfer files of any type and size, including photos, videos, music, documents, and even apps.
Xender does not require a USB connection or a mobile data connection. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection, and you can transfer files between devices at high speeds.
To share files using Xender, both the sender and receiver must have the app installed on their device. The sender then creates a “hotspot” using their Wi-Fi connection, and the receiver connects to this hotspot. Once connected, the two devices can share files with each other.
If you are an Indian user, you should know that the Xender app is banned in India by the Government due to its Chinese connection.
SHAREit
SHAREit is a popular, free file-sharing program that runs on most major platforms. By scanning a QR code or connecting to a WiFi hotspot created by the app, you may link your smartphone to a PC or a Mac using the same WiFi network and start exchanging the files.
When you’re connected, you have the option to send any file and there’s even an option to send numerous files. It doesn’t need an active internet connection and there are no file size limits, so what’s not to love? Sure, it lacks the simplicity of AirDrop, but if you want to share larger files in a short time period SHAREit is among the best.
Though started as just file sharing app, SHAREit now provides other useful additional features like the ability to control Powerpoint presentations on your PC from the phone, browse PC files on your phone, backup photos, and more.
An important thing to keep in mind is that like Xender, the SHAREit is also banned by the Indian Government because of its Chinese origin. So, if you are an Indian user, you can go for other alternatives.
AirDroid
AirDroid is a remote control app that lets you manage your Android phone from a desktop or laptop computer. It has a file-sharing feature that allows you to transfer files between your computer and phone wirelessly.
AirDroid is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It also has a web version that you can use in any browser.
To transfer files using AirDroid, you need to connect your computer and phone to the same Wi-Fi network. Once connected, you can browse your phone’s storage on your computer and transfer files between the two devices.
AirDroid is a free app with no ads or in-app purchases. There is a premium version that gives you more features, such as mirroring your phone’s screen on your computer, and more.
Share Files from Android to PC using a USB Cable
You can also transfer files from your Android device to your PC using a USB cable. This is probably the most common way to transfer files between devices, and it’s very easy to do. All you need is a working USB cable and a computer with a USB port.
Once you have everything that you need, simply connect your Android device and follow these steps:
- On your Android phone, navigate to the Settings -> System -> Developer options.
- If you don’t see Developer options, go to Settings -> System -> About Phone and tap the build number seven times.
- Under the Developer options, scroll down and look for the USB debugging option. Toggle the button to enable it, if it is not already enabled.
- Now, use the USB cable that you use for charging your phone to connect it with the PC.
- Check your phone notification, and tap on the USB settings item for more options.
- Under the Use USB to setting, select the Transfer files option.
- Now, check your Windows PC File Explorer and you will see that your Android phone is listed under Devices and drives, allowing you to copy and paste the data from or to it.
- Open your phone drive and take a backup of your whole phone or selective files or folders.
Use Bluetooth to Transfer Files Between Android and PC
Another way to transfer files from your Android device to your PC is by using Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows you to share files between devices without the need for a physical connection.
To use this method, you will need a working Bluetooth connection and a computer with Bluetooth capabilities. Most laptops and desktop computers come with built-in Bluetooth, but you may need to buy a Bluetooth adapter if your computer doesn’t have it.
Once you have everything that you need, follow these steps:
- Enable Bluetooth on both of your devices. On an Android device, pull the Notification panel and enable it from the Quick Settings menu.
- On Windows, enable it from Windows Bluetooth & other devices Settings.
- After turning on the Bluetooth, pair your Android device with your PC. Click on Add Bluetooth or other devices option.
- From the list of available Bluetooth devices, select your Android device to pair it with the PC.
- Verify the PIN on your Android device and click the Connect button.
- Finally, click Done after the devices are paired successfully.
- Now, on your Android device, select the file you want to transfer to the PC and select the Bluetooth sharing option from the Sharing menu.
- Choose your PC from the available devices list.
- On your PC, expand the taskbar menu, right-click on the Bluetooth, select Recieve a file.
- You will instantly receive the file in the Document folder of your PC. Click on Finish to save the file.
Transfer Files From Android to PC Using an SD Card or Pendrive
If you don’t have a USB cable or Bluetooth connection, you can still transfer files from your Android device to your PC by using an SD card or Pendrive. This method is very similar to the USB method, but it’s slightly slower since you need to remove the SD card from your phone and insert it into the computer.
To use this method, you will need an SD card or Pendrive (along with an OTG) and a computer with an SD card reader or USB port. Once you have everything that you need, follow these steps:
- Insert the SD card into your Android device. If you have a Pendrive, connect it with your phone using an OTG.
- On your Android device, open the file manager app and locate the file you want to transfer to your PC.
- Long press on the file and select Copy or Cut from the menu.
- Paste the file into the SD card or Pendrive.
- Eject the SD card or Pendrive from your Android device and insert it into the computer.
- Open the SD card or Pendrive on your computer and copy the file to your desired location.
Use Cloud Services to Share Files between devices
Cloud services are becoming more and more popular and for good reason. They allow you to share files between devices without the need for a physical connection.
There are many different cloud services available, but we recommend using Google Drive or Dropbox. Both of these services are free to use and have apps for both Android and PC.
To use this method, you will need an account with either Google Drive or Dropbox. Once you have an account, follow these steps:
- Install the Google Drive or Dropbox app on your Android device.
- Open the app and sign in with your account.
- Locate the file you want to transfer to your PC and select it.
- Tap on the Share icon and select the Send To option.
- Choose your PC from the list of available devices.
- On your PC, open the web browser and sign in to your Google Drive or Dropbox account.
- Locate the file you want to transfer and download it to your desired location.
Summing Up
These are the five fastest ways to transfer files from your Android device to your PC. If you need to transfer files regularly, we recommend using a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox as it is the most convenient option.
Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions.
Yes, you can use an SD card or Pendrive to transfer files from your Android device to your PC.
Yes, you can use Bluetooth to transfer files from your Android device to your PC. However, the transfer speed will be slower than using a USB cable.
Yes, you can use a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox to transfer files from your Android device to your PC.
The fastest way to transfer files from your Android device to your PC is by using the file transfer application which uses WiFi to transfer files.
Peter is an Electrical Engineer whose primary interest is tinkering with his computer. He is passionate about Windows 10 Platform and enjoys writing tips and tutorials about it.
