Transfer files between your computer & Android device

You can use your Google Account or a USB cable to move photos, music, and other files between your computer and Android device.

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Option 1: Move files with your Google Account

Upload files to your Google Account to use them on both your computer and device.

Files: Learn how to upload files and folders to Google Drive.
Music: Learn how to get started with YouTube Music.
Photos: Learn how to back up photos and videos to Google Photos.

Option 2: Move files with a USB cable

Windows computer

Unlock your device.
With a USB cable, connect your device to your computer.
On your device, tap the "Charging this device via USB" notification.
Under "Use USB for," select File Transfer.
A file transfer window will open on your computer. Use it to drag files.
When you're done, eject your device from Windows.
Unplug the USB cable.

Mac computer

Your computer must be using Mac OS X 10.5 and up.

Download and install Android File Transfer on your computer.
Open Android File Transfer. The next time that you connect your device, it opens automatically.
Unlock your device.
With a USB cable, connect your device to your computer.
On your device, tap the "Charging this device via USB" notification.
Under "Use USB for," select File Transfer.
An Android File Transfer window will open on your computer. Use it to drag files.
When you’re done, unplug the USB cable.

Chromebook

With a USB cable, connect your device to your Chromebook.
Unlock your device.
On your device, tap the "Charging this device via USB" notification.
Under "Use USB for," select File Transfer.
On your Chromebook, the Files app opens. Use it to drag files. Learn what file types work on Chromebooks.
When you're done, unplug the USB cable.

Option 3: Move files with Nearby Share for Windows

Set up Nearby Share for Windows

You can use Nearby Share to share images, videos, and documents between Windows computers and Android devices that are close together.

You can share files between your own devices or with people around you who also use Nearby Share. When other people send files to you, you’re asked to approve the request. Files are encrypted when you share them.

Important:

If you use Nearby Share for Windows without a Google account, some options may not be available.
Do not open the app as administrator.
You may receive a warning upon download that the installer could be dangerous. As long as you download it from Google, the file should be safe.

Download and install Nearby Share onto your Windows device.
- After it’s installed, open the app and sign in.
Under “Visible to others as,” choose your device name.
Under “Receiving,” choose who can share with you.
Select Done.

Choose who can share with you

On your computer, open the Nearby Share for Windows app .
At the top right, select Settings Device visibility.
Choose your visibility:
- Everyone: Your device is visible to anyone nearby with Nearby Share turned on.
- Contacts: Your device is visible to your nearby contacts. You can choose to make your device visible to all contacts or select specific contacts.
- Your devices: Your device is visible to your devices with the same Google Account.
- No one: Your device isn't visible and others can’t share with you.

Tip: For more private and secure sharing, sign in to your Google Account and choose Contacts or Your devices.

Send content to other devices

On your Windows computer, open the Nearby Share for Windows app .
Select the file you want to share.
- You can also select Select files or Select folders and find the file or folder you want to share.
Drag the file into the app window.
Select the device you want to share your file with.
- If you get a PIN, make sure it matches the one on the receiver’s device.
- If you can’t find it, make sure the device you want to send to is visible to your device.
Select Share.
Once the receiver confirms the share, your file is sent.

Tip: If you can’t drag and drop the file:

You can also:
1. Find the file.
2. Right-click the file.
3. Select Send with Nearby Share.
You may have opened the app as an administrator. Make sure you do not open the app as administrator.

Get content from someone

Important: To receive files from someone, your device must be detectable to them. You can change your device’s visibility in Settings .

When someone uses Nearby Share to send content to you, you’ll get a notification.
- If your Android device says “Device nearby is sharing”: Select Turn on to make your device detectable and continue to step 2.
- If it shows details about the sender: Select Accept or Decline.
Review the share request.
- If you get a PIN, make sure it matches the one on the sender’s device.
To get the content, select Accept.
- The file is saved to your “Downloads” folder.

Tip: If you share content between your own devices with the same Google Account, the receiver’s device accepts the transfer automatically.

Troubleshoot moving files by USB