There is no single best way to transfer files between a phone and a computer: it depends on the size of the file, which devices you own and whether you are on the same Wi-Fi. A holiday video is not the same job as a PDF you need in a hurry. Below are six methods that work today, from the fastest for large files to the simplest for a single document, with the strengths and limits of each.
Which method should you use?
| Method | Works between | Best for | Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB cable | Android and PC or Mac | Large files and whole folders | A data cable, not a charge-only one |
| Quick Share | Android devices, Windows PCs | Quick wireless transfers | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both devices |
| AirDrop | iPhone, iPad and Mac | Apple-to-Apple transfers | Apple devices nearby |
| Phone Link | Android and Windows | Photos and messages on the PC screen | A Microsoft account |
| Cloud storage | Anything | Files you also want backed up | Internet and free space in the account |
| Local Wi-Fi apps | Anything on the same network | Big files without the cloud | An app such as LocalSend on both sides |
1. USB cable: still the fastest
- Plug the phone into the computer with its own cable.
- On the phone, tap the USB notification and choose File transfer (MTP). This step is the one most people miss.
- The phone appears in Windows File Explorer; open Internal storage and drag files across.
- On a Mac, install Android File Transfer or use your phone maker’s desktop app.
2. Quick Share for Android and Windows
Google’s Quick Share, which replaced Nearby Share and now also covers Samsung’s version, sends files directly between nearby devices over Wi-Fi. Open the file on your phone, tap Share and choose Quick Share, then pick the device. To receive on a PC, install the Quick Share app for Windows from Google and set your phone to be visible to your devices.
3. AirDrop for Apple devices
On an iPhone or iPad, use the Share button and pick the Mac from the AirDrop row; accept the file on the Mac and it lands in Downloads. Both devices need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on and AirDrop set to accept from your contacts or from everyone for ten minutes. AirDrop does not work with Windows or Android.
4. Phone Link on Windows
Windows includes Phone Link, which pairs an Android phone with the PC and shows recent photos, messages and calls. Dragging a recent photo from Phone Link to the desktop is quicker than finding the file by hand, though it is designed for small transfers rather than whole folders.
5. Cloud storage, 6. local Wi-Fi apps
Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud Drive and Dropbox work everywhere: upload on one device, open on the other, and you get a backup as a bonus. Free storage is limited, and very large files take two uploads’ worth of time. When both devices are on the same network, an open-source app such as LocalSend moves files directly between them at network speed, with nothing stored online.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my PC not see the phone over USB?
The cable may be charge-only, or the phone is still set to “charging”. Swap the cable and choose File transfer in the USB notification.
What is the fastest way to move 50 GB of video?
A USB cable, or a local Wi-Fi app on a 5 GHz network. Cloud storage means uploading and downloading the whole lot twice over.
Is Bluetooth still worth using?
Only for very small files. It is far slower than every other method here.
To transfer files between your phone and computer, use a cable for large jobs, Quick Share or AirDrop for quick wireless sends, and the cloud when you want the file in both places anyway. Keep one wireless method set up in advance, and you will rarely need to hunt for a cable again. For opening the documents you move, see our guide to opening DOCX files on Android.