How to Use Otg Cable to Transfer Files
Need to learn how to transfer files from Android to PC? It's easy with the right tricks.
You have a photo on your Android phone or tablet, and you need to get it onto your PC. But how do you do this?
As it turns out, you have several options, such as a USB cable, Bluetooth, and cloud sync. Alternatively, you might use an app like AirDroid or Pushbullet. Perhaps you'll resort to emailing the file or photo.
Put simply, transferring files from Android to a Windows PC isn't difficult. Here's everything you need to know about moving files from your Android phone to your PC.
1. Transfer Files From Android to PC With Bluetooth File Transfer
Is Bluetooth enabled on your PC? Perhaps you have a Bluetooth USB dongle, or your device has Bluetooth built-in. Either way, sending data via Bluetooth file transfer from Android to Windows is a good option, particularly for smaller files.
To begin, you'll need to enable Bluetooth on Windows, then Android.
On Windows, press Win + I to open Settings. Open the Devices section and select the Bluetooth & other devices tab on the left. Here, switch Bluetooth to On and click Add Bluetooth or other device. Select Bluetooth once more to commence the scan for compatible devices.
At the same time, open the Quick settings panel on Android by swiping down twice from the top of the screen. Here, long-press Bluetooth. In the resulting menu, tap on your Windows PC's name under Available devices.
Wait while your phone tries to pair your computer. You'll be asked by both devices to confirm a security code to pair them. Tap Pair on your Android device and Yes on your PC to connect the two. Your PC will send you a Device Ready notification when the pairing process is complete.
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For more details, see our guide to connecting your phone and PC using Bluetooth.
With a connection established, find the Bluetooth icon in the System Tray at the bottom-right corner of your PC. Right-click it and select Receive a file, then click Next to commence transfer.
Meanwhile, use your Android file browser or Gallery app to select the file you wish to transfer. Use the Share button, select Bluetooth to share the data, and then pick your PC in the subsequent list.
Once the data has been transferred, you should receive notice that the file transfer has been completed successfully. You'll be asked where to save it, so browse to your preferred destination and click Finish.
2. Transfer Files From Android to PC With AirDroid
AirDroid is a vital app for all Android users. It's free with an optional premium subscription. You'll need to create an account or sign in using Google, Facebook, or Twitter if you're pressed for time.
AirDroid offers notification and tethering tools as well as simple file transfer to a computer on the same Wi-Fi network.
Begin by installing and opening the AirDroid mobile app. AirDroid will request permission to access and manage all files on your device. Tap Continue and toggle on Allow access to manage all files. Next tap OK to view different Security & Remote Features.
Various tools are available in AirDroid. For the purposes of transferring files to a PC, ensure the Files option is set to On under the Security & Remote Features page.
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Next, head to AirDroid's download page, grab the desktop client, and install.
If you're not prompted to sign in, select any one of the icons or menus to prompt for your details. Select your PC name in the Transfer tab (your Android phone and PC must be connected to the same network first) and tap the paperclip icon.
Choose what you want to transfer and tap Send. Click the magnifying icon to go to the local folder with your transferred files.
Need to send files from your PC to your Android device? Simply drag and drop the file from your desktop into the AirDroid client.
3. Transfer Files From Android to PC With Pushbullet
Like AirDroid, Pushbullet syncs data and notifications between your phone and PC. In short, if you don't fancy AirDroid, or can't get it to work, Pushbullet is your best alternative. Begin by installing the Pushbullet Android app.
When installing, you'll have to sign in via Google first and follow the follow-up prompts to proceed. Next, you need to agree to let the app access your media files. Click Allow if you're okay with this, then head to Pushbullet's website. You can sign into the web client or download the dedicated Windows app.
To send a file to your PC, select Pushing in the bottom navigation bar, then tap the paperclip icon. A pop-up will show up with three options: Take photo, Send photo, and Send file. If you want to send a file, tap Send file, select the file to share, and hit the Send button.
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A moment later, the image will appear in the web client on your desktop next to the name of the sending device. To save the transferred file, tap the file or image name, and it will be downloaded instantly.
If you face some issues while transferring files from Android to PC, use Pushbullet's Remote Files feature. Follow these steps:
- On the Pushbullet mobile app, tap Account > Remote Files and enable Remote File access.
- On PC, click Remote File access, and select your Android device. This will show you all the different files and folders on your Android phone.
- Select the file you want to transfer and click Request. The file will be shared almost instantly if you're connected to the same network.
You'll see the file appear under Devices > Your Android Device. Tap the shared file to download.
If you're using an Android file manager and have a dedicated Windows sharing folder on your local network, copying data to your PC from Android is straightforward.
Although this method uses Solid Explorer File Manager, you have many other file manager choices on Google Play. You'll probably find a similar function in the app you use.
Solid Explorer File Manager has a feature called FTP Server, which you can open by tapping the menu button on the upper left, scrolling down, and expanding Toolbox.
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Connect your Android device to Wi-Fi. Tap Start to enable, then copy the displayed FTP address into your PC's web browser (or file manager). You'll see a browsable folder structure of your Android device. Here, it's easy to find the data you want to share on your PC.
Once you've found it, right-click and select Copy To Folder. Browse to the location on your PC and click OK to copy the data from your phone to your computer.
This method is similar to using USB, but without the cable. Use our tips for faster copying in Windows if you need to move those files elsewhere.
Download: Solid Explorer File Manager (Free trial, subscription required)
5. Transfer Files From Android to PC With a USB Cable
Equipped with just your phone and PC? Have the original USB cable that shipped with your phone handy? (It's always preferable to use the original to avoid any possible issues.)
This is all you need for transferring files from your Android device to your PC in its most basic form. Connecting your phone to your PC with a cable may not have the slickness of using an app over Wi-Fi, but it's certainly effective. It's also the best way to transfer files from Android to PC.
When you first connect your Android device to your PC, on older Android versions, you'll see the Allow access notification. Tap Allow to proceed, then drag the notification shade down. Look for USB file transfer turned on and tap this to view the full preferences. Make sure you have File transfer selected so the devices can see each other.
On newer versions of Android, once you connect your PC and Android phone, you'll see a Use USB for pop-up. Tap File transfer/Android Auto to proceed (the precise words may vary but the concept is the same).
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If the pop-up doesn't show up, swipe down from the top of your screen, tap the Android system notification, and select File transfer. Your Android phone will automatically turn on USB file transfer.
Next, turn your attention to your Windows computer. Your PC may ask you to select what you want to do with the connected device. Here, select View Device and Open Files. Your PC will then automatically open a folder view of your Android device storage.
If it doesn't, open File Explorer and look for your Android device in This PC. You can identify it by its model name. When connected, you'll be able to browse the phone's contents and copy data to your PC.
Note that if you're connecting these devices for the first time, Windows will attempt to install the relevant drivers first. Your phone may also install an Android file manager for your PC via USB to open whenever the phone connects.
If you have trouble with this, see our guide on how to fix an Android phone that won't connect to a computer.
6. Transfer Files From Android to PC Using an SD Card
Another basic method that doesn't bother with apps or wireless networking protocols is to copy data to your phone's microSD card. This is a particularly useful option if you don't have a USB cable and want to keep it simple. You will need a microSD to SD card adapter and a card reader, however.
Simply save the files to your phone's SD card, then shut down the device. Eject the card, then insert it in your PC's card reader to view the data.
If your phone doesn't have a microSD card slot, most modern Android devices support USB OTG. Simply connect your USB SD card reader to your phone using a USB OTG adapter.
7. Transfer Files Over Cloud Storage or Email
As a last resort, you can take advantage of two everyday types of app.
With cloud services such as Dropbox and Google Drive, you might have already transferred data to your computer without knowing it.
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For example, Dropbox and Google Drive both offer automatic camera upload. If you have the cloud service client installed on your computer, photos will automatically sync to your PC.
Similar features are available with other cloud services. You can copy any data to the cloud folder on your Android device and sync it to Windows.
Email was the first extensively used method of non-disk data transfer between devices and remains a useful option for many. All you need to do is attach the data to an email on your phone and send it to yourself.
Then on your computer, access that message, and you can download the file. While this is a quick and dirty method, it's pretty clunky. Any of the above options is much better if you need to do this often.
Transferring Files From Android to PC Is Easy
With so many different methods of transferring data of any size from your phone or tablet to your Windows PC, you're really spoiled for choice. The only problem you might have now is deciding which method you prefer.
And you aren't just limited to moving files between Android and a desktop computer. You can move your Android files over to an iPhone as well.
How to Transfer Data From an Android Phone to a New iPhone
Switching from Android to iPhone? Here's how to bring all your data over easily.
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About The Author 
Christian Cawley (1538 Articles Published)
Deputy Editor for Security, Linux, DIY, Programming, and Tech Explained, and Really Useful Podcast producer, with extensive experience in desktop and software support. A contributor to Linux Format magazine, Christian is a Raspberry Pi tinkerer, Lego lover and retro gaming fan.
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How to Use Otg Cable to Transfer Files
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