You just need a USB on-the-go adapter (USB OTG). You can also move files from your computer to your Android device with a flash drive or external hard drive. Remove your micro SD from your phone, insert it into an adapter if necessary, then open File Explorer to transfer the files in the same way you would over a USB connection. If your phone has a micro SD card, you can also use it to transfer files to your computer. Some popular apps for over Wi-Fi transfer include:Īlso read: How to Set a Metered Wi-Fi Connection on Android 6. To use this method, sign up for an account on your preferred platform on your computer, install the app on your phone, and follow the instructions for transferring files. To transfer data in this way, you need a third-party Android app but don’t need one for your computer. Using Wi-Fi is a great way to move large files between the computer and your phone.
It’s also not recommended if you need to send many files at once or are trying to send anything in a zip file. Send it to yourself from your computer by opening a new message and clicking the attachments icon to select the files you want to send, then open the message from your phone and download the attachment.īe aware, though, that many email clients have limits on attachment file sizes, which makes this not great for larger files. You can use your email app to transfer one or two small files to your phone. Press “New” in the upper-left corner to add a new file to your Google Drive.Īlso read: How to Find Downloaded Files on Any Android Device 3.(If you don’t have a Google account already, you will need to create one first.) Follow the instructions below to transfer from your computer to Android via Google Drive.
It’s also easily accessible on both Windows and macOS devices since it is web-based. It’s a free cloud storage app that is natively integrated with most Android devices. If you regularly make changes to typed documents or spreadsheets from both your Android device and a computer, Google Drive is a great option for you. The process is important for people who regularly collaborate with others or anyone who needs to share deliverables with a client or classmate.Īlso read: How to Add Google Drive to File Explorer Transfer from Computer to Android via Google Drive You’ll always have access to the most up-to-date version of your documents, which is important.įurthermore, using a cloud storage app allows you to more easily share access of these files with other people. Many cloud storage apps are accessible from Android devices, Windows and macOS devices, and any changes you make instantly appear on both devices. Although there are many great cloud storage apps, Google Drive and Dropbox are two of the best options. If you regularly use your Android device and a computer to complete work, then you may want to use a cloud storage system on these devices. From your computer, make sure your phone is accessible to “Open Device and View Files.” If you don’t receive a pop-up notification prompting you to do this, you can access it by going to “Settings -> AutoPlay.”Īlso read: How to Run Android Apps on Mac 2.Connect your phone to a USB port on your computer.Below you will find step-by-step guides for both. Regardless of which cable you use, the process works the same way, but transfer speeds will be much longer with a USB-A cable than a USB-C or Thunderbolt cable.Īt the end of the day, the biggest determinant in how you transfer data using a cable comes down to whether you are using a Windows or macOS device. Depending on the devices you have, you can transfer files with USB-A, USB-C, or Thunderbolt cables. Using a USB cable is one of the oldest and still very efficient ways of moving your data from your computer to your phone. Also read: How to Find Downloaded Files on Any Android Device 1.