How to Transfer Files from a Phone to a PC or Mac

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Transferring data from your phone to your computer has never been easier
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This wikiHow guide teaches you how to transfer files from your iPhone or Android phone to your Windows or Mac computer. Data you can send from your phone to your computer might include images, videos, notes, contacts, and more. You can transfer files wirelessly or with a USB cable. If you need to transfer large files from your phone to a computer, it's best to upload them to a cloud service like Google Drive and then download them to your computer from there.

Moving Files from Phone to PC or Mac

  • You can transfer files from Android to a PC using a USB cable, Bluetooth, or wirelessly with Phone Link.
  • If you have an iPhone, you can transfer files to a Mac using AirDrop or Windows by connecting your phone to iTunes.
  • To transfer large files , or for an alternative to USB and Bluetooth, upload files to the cloud, then download them on your computer.
Method 1
Method 1 of 9:

Android Phone to Windows PC via USB Cable

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  1. Unlock your screen, then connect your Android to your Windows PC using a USB cable. Plug the USB end of your Android charger cable into one of your computer's USB ports, then plug the charger end into your Android.
    • Make sure the USB cable you are using can transfer data, as not all have this feature. Some USB cables that support data transfer have a special "trident" symbol, but unfortunately, not all do.
  2. This opens the "Use USB to" menu.
    • If no option pops up, try swiping down from the top of your screen to see if the notification is hidden. If it's not there, try a different USB port—some Androids (and some cables) will only recognize certain speed ports. [1]
    • If that doesn't work, try using a different USB cable, and make sure airplane mode is turned off.
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  3. The option you see will vary by device. This opens a file transfer window you can use to pull files from your Android to the PC.
  4. Once the file transfer window appears, you can drag files from the Android to the desired folder on your computer. You can eject your Android and then unplug it when you're finished.
    • If the file transfer window did not open, continue to the next step.
  5. If you couldn't use the file transfer window, you can transfer files in File Explorer . Press Windows key + E , or click the folder icon in the lower-left side of the Start menu.
  6. To do this, click This PC in the left panel, then double-click your Android.
  7. Most Androids require you to open a storage folder (e.g., "Internal") to view the files, but you may also have to open additional folders. Double-click the folders until you find the file you want to transfer. Click a file to select it, or hold down Ctrl to select multiple files.
    • For Androids with removable storage, you'll usually find the bulk of your files in the "SD" or "Removable" folder rather than the "Internal" folder.
  8. Press Ctrl + C to copy your selected file(s) or folder(s).
  9. In the File Explorer's left-hand sidebar, click a folder on your computer (e.g., "Documents") in which you want to place the copied item(s).
  10. Press Ctrl + V to do so. The copied item(s) will appear in the selected folder, though it may take a while for the files to finish copying, depending on their overall size.
    • You can also perform this process in reverse by copying a file or folder from your computer and then pasting it into a folder in your Android's internal storage.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 9:

Android Phone to Windows PC via Phone Link

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  1. An easy way to move files from your Android to your Windows PC is to use Phone Link and the Link to Windows mobile app on your Android. To open Phone Link, type phone link into the Windows search bar, then click Phone Link .
    • If prompted, log in to your Microsoft account.
  2. To do this, open any web browser on your phone, go to https://www.aka.ms/yourpc , and follow the on-screen instructions to download. [2]
  3. Be sure to use the same Microsoft account you used to log in to your Windows PC.
  4. Click the checkbox to do this.
  5. A QR code will appear on the screen.
  6. Here's how:
    • On your phone, tap Link your phone and PC.
    • When asked if the QR code is ready, tap Continue' .
    • Give permission for the app to access your camera if requested.
    • Align the QR code in the camera viewfinder to scan.
    • Follow the on-screen instructions and tap Done .
  7. To transfer multiple files, you can open your Files or My Files app and select multiple files.
  8. This might look like a triangle with dots at each point, but it may also just say Share . If you're in your file manager app, you may need to tap a menu first.
  9. You'll see this option in the system share drawer.
  10. A notification will pop up in Phone Link on your computer, prompting you to open the file once the transfer is complete.
    • Files are saved to your Downloads folder in a subfolder called "Phone Link." [3]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 9:

Android Phone to Windows PC via Bluetooth

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  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen. If Bluetooth is disabled, tap the Bluetooth icon to enable it now.
    • Open Start
      Windows Start
      and select Settings
      Windows Settings
      .
    • Click Devices (Windows 10) or Bluetooth & devices (Windows 11).
    • If the Bluetooth switch is turned off, click it to turn it on.
    • If this switch has "On" written next to it, your computer's Bluetooth is already enabled.
  3. Here's how:
    • Click Add Bluetooth or other device (Windows 10) or + Add device' (Windows 11).
    • Select Bluetooth .
    • Select your Android phone and click Pair .
    • If prompted, click Yes to confirm the code.
  4. It's a blue icon that should be in the bottom-right corner of your computer's screen, though you may first have to click the ^ icon here to see it.
  5. It's in the pop-up menu. Doing so will open a new window.
  6. This might be a photo or a video, for example.
    • You can use your Android's file manager to browse internal files and those saved to your SD card.
  7. Tap and hold the file to do so. If it's a photo or video, you can instead tap it to open it.
  8. In most cases, this will be a ⋮ or a ⋯ icon, though some Samsung Galaxy phones will have a MORE icon. A drop-down menu should appear.
  9. This option will vary in appearance and name depending on your Android.
  10. Again, this option's appearance will vary from Android to Android.
  11. Tap your computer in the menu that appears.
  12. If prompted to accept or decline the file transfer on your computer, click Yes .
    • Once you verify that you want to accept the file on your computer and indicate a download location, the file should commence transferring to your computer.
    • You can also send files to your Android by clicking Send a File in the Bluetooth pop-up menu, dragging files to transfer into the transfer window, following the on-screen prompts, and then tapping Accept (or similar) on your Android when prompted.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 9:

Android Phone to Mac via LocalSend

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  1. Transferring files from an Android to a Mac used to require a free program called "Android File Transfer," but this is no longer available. Unfortunately, there is no free way to connect your Android to your Mac for file transfer that works on all models, including M3 Macs. But don't worry—LocalSend is a free alternative that allows you to transfer files from your Android phone to your Mac similar to AirDrop.
  2. Your computer and phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network to transfer files with LocalSend.
  3. This allows you to browse your Android for files to move to your Mac.
  4. To add more files, tap + Add . All files to be sent will appear at the top.
  5. Once LocalSend is open on both devices, your Mac should appear in the "Nearby devices" list on your Android.
    • LocalSend gives every device random names like "Wacky Cucumber" and "Bold Elephant," so don't be alarmed.
  6. Once you do this, you'll be prompted to accept the files on your Mac.
  7. The files you transferred from your phone will be available in your Mac's default download folder.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 9:

iPhone to Mac via AirDrop

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  1. AirDrop makes transferring files from your iPhone to your Mac easy. You'll just need to make sure your devices are within 30 feet of one another, and both have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on. [4]
  2. To receive files from your iPhone on your Mac, you must enable AirDrop. Click the Control Center icon (the two switches) in your Mac's menu bar, then click the AirDrop icon—it looks like a circle with multiple curved open circles radiating from it—so it turns blue.
    • This should automatically enable AirDrop receiving to make your Mac discoverable. To double-check, click the Go menu, select AirDrop , and select Contacts only or Everyone . [5]
  3. Open Control Center by swiping down from the upper-right corner of the screen (or by swiping up if you have an iPhone SE), then tap the AirDrop icon—it looks like a circle with multiple curved open circles radiating from it. When the icon is blue, AirDrop is enabled.
  4. This can be a photo, document, or any other type of shareable file.
  5. It's the square with an arrow pointing up. On some apps, you may see the AirDrop icon instead, or even the word Share .
  6. Nearby devices with AirDrop enabled will appear.
  7. A notification will pop up on your Mac.
  8. This transfers the selected file. [6]
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Method 6
Method 6 of 9:

iPhone to Windows PC via iTunes

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  1. You can easily transfer files from your iPhone to your Windows PC using iTunes, which is available from the Microsoft Store.
  2. Plug one end of the iPhone's cable into one of your PC's USB ports, and the other into your iPhone.
    • When prompted, tap Allow or Trust on your iPhone's screen.
  3. Click the iPhone icon at the top of the window.
  4. This option allows you to move files from your iPhone to your computer. [7]
  5. You'll see the list of apps in the left panel.
    • Not all apps are supported.
  6. You'll see the list on the right.
  7. You can transfer the file to any folder on your computer.
  8. This copies the file from your phone to your computer.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 9:

Transfer Files from Any Phone to Any Computer

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  1. If you want to transfer large files from your phone to your computer, or just want a quick and easy way to wirelessly access files from your phone on any platform, Google Drive is a great cloud-based option. As long as you have a Google account, you can use this method on any device.
    • If you're using an iPhone, you can download Google Drive from the App Store and then log in with your Google account.
    • If you prefer, you can use a different cloud service like Dropbox or iCloud Drive. If you want to use iCloud Drive, point your phone web browser to https://icloud.com/iclouddrive , then log in with your Apple account. [8]
  2. You'll see this at the bottom-right corner of Google Drive. [9]
    • If you're using iCloud, tap the cloud icon with an arrow pointing up, then select Choose Files . Alternatively, if you want to transfer photos to your computer, select Photo Library instead.
  3. This opens a file picker.
  4. This uploads the files to the cloud.
  5. To do this, point your web browser to https://drive.google.com , click Sign in , and log in with your Google account.
  6. If you uploaded multiple files from your phone to Google Drive, click each file you want to download to select it. Once the files are selected, click the download icon at the top—it looks like an arrow pointing down over a line. Then, when prompted, click Save to save the selected files to your computer.
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Method 8
Method 8 of 9:

Transfer Contacts from iPhone to a Computer

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  1. If you want to transfer your iPhone contacts to an email app on your computer, you can do so by exporting them as VCF files, then importing those files into your email app. Start by syncing your phone contacts to iCloud:
    • Open Settings .
    • Tap your name card at the top of the page.
    • Tap iCloud .
    • Tap See All next to "Save to iCloud."
    • Tap the white switch next to "Contacts". If the switch is green, you don't have to tap it.
  2. Go to https://www.icloud.com in your web browser. This will open your iCloud dashboard if you're logged in.
    • If you aren't logged in, enter your Apple ID email address and password to log in.
  3. 3
    Click Contacts . It's a silhouette of a person. Doing so opens a list of your contacts.
  4. 4
    Select the contacts you want to export. To export all contacts, click All Contacts in the leftmost panel, then click the ••• and select Select All Contacts . a contact. Select any contact in the middle column.
  5. 5
    Click the Sharing icon
    iPhone Blue Share
    .     It's at the top-right corner.
  6. You'll see it in the pop-up menu. Your contacts' vCard file will download onto your computer.
    • You may have to click Save to download the VCF file.
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Method 9
Method 9 of 9:

Transfer Android Backup Data to a Computer

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  1. Back up your Android's data . Before you can download things like contact information, you need to back up your Android's data to Google Drive.
    • Make sure you do this over an internet connection rather than a cellular data connection.
  2. Go to https://drive.google.com/ in your browser. This will open your Google Drive account if you're logged in.
    • If you aren't logged into your Google Drive account, enter your email address and password to proceed.
    • This must be the account to which you backed up your Android. If not, click your initial on the top-right side of the Drive page, click Sign out , and then sign back in with the correct account.
  3. 3
    Click the number under "Storage" at the bottom-left. The number represents how much space you've used in Google Drive so far.
  4. You'll see this option in the drop-down menu. Doing so prompts your Android backup to download to your computer.
    • You can now import the VCF file into your email app.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can my neighbor connect my phone to their laptop without my knowledge?
    Community Answer
    It depends on what type of phone you have. For example, if you have an iPhone, your neighbor might be able to connect to your phone, but you will be notified; a blue bar will appear at the top of your phone's screen.
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    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 26
  • Question
    Is there a free app for data transferring?
    Community Answer
    Plug the charger into your phone, and the other end into the USB port on your computer.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question
    How can I transfer data from a PC to mobile phone?
    Community Answer
    You can do it through an app called Portal. After you have downloaded that to your phone, go on your PC's browser and type in portal.pushbullet.com. Using your phone, scan the QR code and then follow the prompts.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/when-connecting-my-android-device-type-c-via-usb/b8691bcc-c60b-45f7-9ebf-3abc5db30829
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/phone-link-requirements-and-setup-cd2a1ee7-75a7-66a6-9d4e-bf22e735f9e3
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/seamlessly-transfer-content-between-your-devices-8a0ead3c-2f15-1338-66ca-70cf4ae81fcb#WindowsVersion=Windows_11
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-airdrop-to-send-items-to-nearby-devices-iphcd8b9f0af/18.0/ios/18.0
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102538
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/119857
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/itunes/transfer-files-itns32636/windows
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud-iphone/upload-and-download-files-mmad632d1df2/1.0/icloud/1.0
      9. ↑ https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2424368?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=1

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      * To transfer files from an iPhone, connect the iPhone to the computer with a USB cable, open iTunes , select the iPhone, check “This computer,” and then click Back Up Now .

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