How to Transfer Android Files to Macs, PCs, and Other Devices

Move and share Android data to other devices

By

Updated on August 30, 2021

Reviewed by

This article explains several methods for moving and sharing files from your Android phone to a Mac, PC, or another device. Instructions apply to Android devices with Android 9 and up. Your screen might appear slightly different, depending on your phone.

From One Android to Another Using Bluetooth

One of the easiest ways to transfer a file between Android devices is with Bluetooth. Supported files include videos, pictures, music, contacts, and more. The downside is that Bluetooth can take a while to transfer large files.

Turn on Bluetooth on both devices in Settings.
Select Connections > Bluetooth.

If you don't see Connections, go to the next step.
Turn on Bluetooth.
After Bluetooth is turned on, pair the Android devices with each other.

In the Bluetooth settings, devices might automatically show other devices available for pairing. If not, tap Scan to search for available devices.
Open the device's Settings.
Tap Connections > Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. If you don't see Connection preferences, go to the next step.

When Bluetooth settings are open, nearby devices can find your phone.
Tap Scan. If you don't see Pair new device, look under Available devices. If needed, tap Scan again.
Tap the name of the Bluetooth device you want to pair with your phone or tablet and follow any on-screen prompts.

If you need a Passkey one should appear on both screens. Ensure that both passkeys match before tapping Pair.
With Bluetooth on and your devices paired, transfer the files. To do this, open the Files app on the source Android phone.
Select the files you want to transfer.
Tap the Share button.
Select Bluetooth as the Share method.
Once the files transfer is activated, the device receiving the file must confirm the file share.
Once the transfer is complete, the recipient can access the file in the Downloads folder on the target device.

After pairing, the devices stay paired until you unpair them. To unpair devices, access Bluetooth settings on one of the connected devices. Next to the paired devices, select the Settings icon and then select Unpair.

After you pair a Bluetooth device for the first time, your devices can pair automatically. If your phone is connected to something through Bluetooth, you'll see a Bluetooth icon at the top of the screen.

From an Android to a Computer With Your Google Account

Whether you want to access Android files on a Mac, a Windows computer, or an iPhone, using your Google Account makes the transfer process simple. When you upload files to your Google Drive, you can access those files on any device where you can access Google Drive.

To upload documents, images, audio files, and video files from your Android phone to Google Drive:

On an Android phone or tablet, open the Google Drive app.
Tap Add (the plus sign).
Tap Upload.
Find and tap the files you want to upload.
Your files upload into My Drive, and you can access them from Google Drive on your desktop PC or Mac computer when you go to drive.google.com.

Need to access Android files on an iPhone? Uploading files from your Android device to Google Drive makes files accessible on Google Drive on an iPhone.

From an Android to a Windows Computer With a USB Cable

Use a USB cable to transfer files from your Android phone to a Windows 10 computer.

Unlock the phone.
With a USB cable, connect the phone to a computer.
On the Android phone, swipe down to view the Notification bar and drawer.
Tap the Android System notification for USB.
Tap Tap for other USB options.
In USB settings, select Transferring files/Android Auto.
On the Windows 10 PC, open File Explorer.
In File Explorer, go to This PC. You should see the phone listed as one of the available Devices.
Open the device in File Explorer. You should see Phone and, if installed, Card (for an SSD).
Copy or move files from the Android device to the Windows PC.
When you're done, eject the phone from Windows, and unplug the USB cable.
Files from your Android phone are now available on your Windows PC.

From an Android to a Mac With a USB Cable

Here's how to use a USB cable to transfer files from your Android phone to a Mac with Mac OS X 10.5 or newer, or macOS.

Download and install Android File Transfer on your computer.
Open Android File Transfer. The next time you connect your phone, the program opens automatically.
Unlock the phone.
With a USB cable, connect the phone to the computer.
On the phone, swipe down to get to the Notification bar, then tap Android System > Tap for other USB options.
In USB settings, select Transferring files/Android Auto.
An Android File Transfer window opens on the computer. Use it to drag over the files you want to transfer.