Transfer files between your computer & Pixel phone

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

Note: Some of these steps work only on Android 9 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Option 1: Move files with your Google Account

After you upload files to your Google Account, you can use them on both your computer and phone.

Option 2: Move files with a USB cable

Windows computer

Move files by USB

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

Troubleshoot moving files by USB

  • Troubleshoot your computer
    • Check your computer’s settings to make sure that Windows automatically detects new hardware.
    • Restart your computer.
  • Troubleshoot your phone
  • Troubleshoot your USB connections
    • Try a different USB cable. Not all USB cables can transfer files.
    • To test the USB port on your phone, connect your device to a different computer.
    • To test the USB port on your computer, connect a different device to your computer.
Mac computer

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

Move files by USB

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

Troubleshoot moving files by USB

  • Troubleshoot your computer
    • Check that your computer is using Mac OS X 10.5 and up.
    • Check that your computer has Android File Transfer installed and open.
    • Restart your computer.
  • Troubleshoot your phone
  • Troubleshoot your USB connections
    • Try a different USB cable. Not all USB cables can transfer files.
    • To test the USB port on your phone, connect your phone to a different computer.
    • To test the USB port on your computer, connect a different device to your computer.
Chromebook
  1. Unlock your phone.
  2. With a USB cable, connect your phone to your Chromebook.
  3. Unlock your phone.
  4. On your phone, tap the "Charging this device via USB" notification.
  5. Under "Use USB for," select File Transfer.
  6. On your Chromebook, the Files app opens. Use it to drag files.
  7. When you're done, unplug the USB cable.

Learn what file types work on Chromebooks.

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