How to Transfer Music Files from a PC to an Android

PDF download Download Article
Move your music collection to your Android so you can listen anywhere
PDF download Download Article

Do you want to transfer your music from your PC to your Android device? Once you transfer your music collection to your Android device, you can access it anywhere on the go. Luckily, there are many easy ways you can do so. This wikiHow article teaches a variety of ways you can transfer your music collection to your Android device.

Quick Steps

  1. Connect your Android to your PC using a USB cable.
  2. Click the notification on your computer screen.
  3. Select the option to use your Android as a storage device.
  4. Swipe down from the top of the screen on your Android.
  5. Tap Use USB for and select File Transfer .
  6. Access your Android's internal storage using File Explorer.
  7. Drag and drop your music files into your Android's internal storage.
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using a USB Cable

PDF download Download Article
  1. For best results, use a high-speed USB cable or a USB-C-to-C cable.
    • If your Android's screen is not unlocked, wake the device now.
  2. 2
    Click the notification on your PC. The first time you connect your phone to your computer, you will be asked what you want to do with this device.
    • If you have connected your phone to your PC before, you may not see this pop-up notification.
    Advertisement
  3. 3
    Select the option to use your phone as a storage device. You'll be given the option to charge your device, use it as a storage device, or do nothing. Select the option to use it as a storage device.
  4. This displays the Quick Access menu with your notifications.
  5. It'll be at the top of your notifications.
    • This notification may not appear on all Android models. For example, if you are using a Samsung Galaxy device, you won't need to do anything on your phone.
  6. This option lets you transfer files between your Android device and your PC.
  7. 7
    Press ⊞ Win + E to open File Explorer. You can click the icon resembling a folder with a blue clip in the taskbar or Windows Start menu, or use the keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer.
  8. It'll be listed as the device name in the menu bar to the left. Usually, it's below "This PC."
  9. This will open the Android's device storage.
    • If you don't see this option, check to make sure your phone is awake and unlocked.
    • If you are adding music to your Android's SD card instead of the device storage, double-click the SD card after opening your Android device in Windows.
  10. Usually, your Android has a folder called "Music." Double-click it to open it.
  11. You can drag and drop any music files from your computer into this folder to add them to your Android.
    • To find music files from your Windows Media Player library, right-click on a file in your library and select "Open file location."
    • To find music files from your iTunes library, right-click on a file in iTunes and select "Show in Windows Explorer."
    • It may take a while to transfer the music files, depending on the cable you are using and your Android and computer's transfer speeds.
  12. Different models will have different music apps. There are also lots of different music players available on the Google Play store. All Android devices come with a music app that can play your music files.
  13. You should be able to see all of the music files you added to your device once you open your music app. Tap a song to begin playing it.
    14. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Using Cloud Storage

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Sign up for a cloud storage service. There are a variety of cloud storage services that allow you to upload files online and transfer them to different devices. Cloud services include Google Drive , Microsoft OneDrive , and Dropbox .
    • You probably already have a Google Drive account associated with the Google account you are signed into on your Android device. Likewise, you may have a OneDrive account associated with your Microsoft account.
    • Check how much storage space your cloud service plan includes. Most cloud storage services offer a small amount of storage for free but have the option to upgrade to more storage for a monthly fee.
  2. 2
    Put all your music files into a single file. Uploading files to a cloud storage service is easiest when they're all in a single folder. Windows already has a Music folder by default. You can drag and drop all your files into the Music folder or create a folder on your computer (i.e., on your desktop) and put all the files you want to upload into that folder.
    • To create a new folder, right-click where you want to create a new folder and click New followed by Folder . Enter a name for the folder.
  3. 3
    Open the cloud storage website in your web browser. Go to the website for your cloud storage service in your web browser. Make sure you are signed into your account. The websites for cloud storage website include the following:
  4. 4
    Upload your music folder to the cloud service. Click the icon that says New, Add New, or Upload or drop at the top of the menu to the left or in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Then, select the option to upload a folder, select your music folder, and click Open .
    • Uploading all your files to the cloud may take a while.
  5. 5
    Download the cloud service app on your Android. If you haven't done so already, download the app for your cloud storage service on your Android phone. You can download these apps for free on the Google Play Store.
  6. 6
    Open the cloud storage app and sign in. After downloading the cloud storage app, open it in the Apps menu and sign in to your account.
  7. 7
    Open the folder you want to download. Most cloud services don't give you the option to download an entire folder. However, you can download the files within the folder. Tap the folder with your music to open it.
    • On OneDrive, you can make a folder available offline. This will download the files to your Android device and allow you to open the files within the OneDrive app. To do so, tap and hold the folder, then tap the toggle switch next to "Make available offline" at the bottom.
  8. 8
    Select all the files. Use one of the following steps to select all files in the folder:
    • Google Drive: Tap and hold one of the files in the folder. Then tap the icon that resembles a square with a dotted line around it.
    • Dropbox: Tap the box with a checkmark in the upper-right corner, then tap the empty checkbox above all the files.
    • OneDrive: Tap and hold a file. Then tap the circle in the upper-right corner of all the other files.
  9. 9
    Download the files. To do so, tap the icon with three dots ( â‹® ) in the upper-right corner. Then tap Download . This will download all the files to your phone.
    10. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using Phone Link

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Make sure you have Phone Link on your computer. Phone Link is an app that is available for Windows that allows you to link your phone with your PC. Phone Link comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11. If you don't have it on your computer, you can download it for free from the Microsoft Store.
  2. 2
    Download the Link to Windows app on your Android device. You can download it for free from the Google Play Store.
  3. 3
    Pair your phone with your computer. Use the following steps to pair your phone with your computer using Phone Link: [1]
    • Make sure you have Bluetooth turned on for both your phone and computer.
    • Open Phone Link on your computer.
    • Click Android on your computer.
    • Click the checkbox next to "I have Link to Windows app available."
    • Click Pair with QR code .
    • Open the Link to Windows app on your Android device.
    • Tap Link your Phone and PC and tap Continue .
    • Allow Link to Windows to have the necessary permissions it needs.
    • Use your Android device to scan the QR code on your computer screen.
  4. 4
    Press ⊞ Win + E to open File Explorer on your computer. You can click the icon resembling a folder with a blue clip in the taskbar or Windows Start menu, or use the keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer.
  5. 5
    Select the music files you want to transfer. Use File Explorer to navigate to the folder that has your music files. Click the music file(s) you want to transfer.
    • To select more than one file, hold Ctrl and click the files you want to transfer.
  6. 6
    Right-click a selected file and click Share . Right-clicking a file will open a context menu. Click Share in the menu to open the Share menu.
  7. 7
    Click My Phone . It's below an icon that looks like a phone. This will start transferring the files to your phone. [2]
    8. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Using Quick Share

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Download Quick Share on your computer. Quick Share is an app developed by Google that allows you to transfer files between your computer and your phone. Use the following steps to download Quick Share to your computer:
  2. 2
    Open Quick Share and sign in to your Google account. Quick Share should open automatically when the installation is complete. If it does not, open Quick Share in the Windows Start menu, click Sign In , and log in with your Google account or email address and password. Click Done when you are signed into the app.
  3. 3
    Click + Select in the box at the bottom. This is the box that says, "Drop files or folders to send."
    • Alternatively, you can drag and drop music files or folder into this box.
  4. 4
    Click Files or Folders . If you want to send individual files, click Files . If you want to send a music folder, click Folders .
  5. 5
    Select the music files or folders you want to transfer. Use File Explorer to navigate to the folder that has your music files. Click the folder or file(s) you want to upload, then click Open .
    • To select more than one file, hold Ctrl and click the files you want to transfer.
  6. 6
    Click your device. Make sure you have your Android device close by and have Bluetooth enabled. Your computer will scan for nearby devices. Once your phone is selected, click the name of your Android device. The files will start transferring.
    7. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Using YouTube Music

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Go to https://music.youtube.com in a web browser. YouTube Music allows you to upload your personal music collection so that you can access it anywhere using the YouTube Music app. [3]
    • If you are not signed in to your Google account, go ahead and sign in.
  2. 2
    Click your profile icon. It's in the upper-right corner. This displays the menu to the left.
  3. 3
    Click Upload music . It's in the menu next to an icon that resembles a cloud with an arrow pointing up.
    • You cannot upload music from your Android device. You can only upload music from your computer.
  4. 4
    Select the music files you want to upload. Navigate to the folder that contains your music collection. Click the file(s) you want to upload. Then click Open .
    • To select more than one file, hold Ctrl and click the files you want to transfer.
  5. 5
    Access your uploaded music files. You can use the YouTube Music app to access your uploaded files. If you don't have the YouTube Music app, you can download it for free from Google Play Store. Use the following steps to access your uploaded files:
    • Open the YouTube Music app.
    • Tap Library in the lower-right corner twice.
    • Tap Uploads .
    • Tap Songs at the top of the page.
    • Tap a song to play it.
  6. 6
    Download your songs to your Android device. You can play your uploaded files in the YouTube Music app whenever you have an internet connection. However, if you want to access them offline, you will need to download them. You'll still only be able to play them in the YouTube Music app. Use the following steps to download music from the YouTube Music app:
    • Tap the song you want to download
    • Tap the icon with three dots ( â‹® ) in the upper-right corner.
    • Tap Download .
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I have an Android phone. How can I transfer my music from my phone to my Kia Soul? I connected a cord to the phone and the car but it didn't work.
    Community Answer
    You must use Android Auto. Your car may not have it. You can always try plugging in a USB stick of your music and your car should play music off of it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Add Music to Your Android Device
      How to
      Connect Your Android to Windows 8
      Easy Ways to Send Photos from Computer to Phone: Android & iPhone
      How to
      Transfer Files from a Phone to a PC or Mac
      How to
      Add Widgets on Android
      3 Ways to Unlock an Android Tablet
      How to
      Add an App Back to Home Screen: Tips for Finding Apps
      4 Simple Ways to Turn Off Safe Mode on Any Android
      How to
      Block All Incoming Calls on an Android Phone
      Install Custom ROMs on Any Android Phone with Our Step-by-Step Guide
      A Guide to Copying and Pasting with the Android Clipboard
      How to
      Connect Android Phone to Computer
      How to
      Find Your Phone Number on Android
      How to
      Change Number of Rings on Android
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/phone-link-requirements-and-setup-cd2a1ee7-75a7-66a6-9d4e-bf22e735f9e3
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/seamlessly-transfer-content-between-your-devices-8a0ead3c-2f15-1338-66ca-70cf4ae81fcb
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/youtubemusic/answer/9716522

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 82,129 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Oct 19, 2017

        "Works great on my Galaxy S7!"
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement