Sharing files between devices is vital. While not so long ago, the only way you could do that was by using a USB cable, now one can choose what suits him the best from a variety of ways. This post will discuss TEN different ways that you can use to transfer files between your android device and PC. Not every method may always be applicable or efficient, but each comes in handy in particular situations.
The apps discussed are all free, or at least have ad-supported versions available. Also none restrict the file size or speed of transfer.
USB Data Cable
1. USB Cable
This may be old fashioned and sometimes slow but this still is the most reliable method to transfer files between your PC and android device. All you need to do is connect a USB data cable to appropriate ports in your phone and PC, set the connection mode as ‘Media device’ or ‘USB Storage’ whichever is available and you’re good to go. Sometimes you may have to wait for the PC to complete installation of the device. You can then access your devices memory from My Computer. When you’re done, tap ‘Turn off USB Storage’ in your phone’s notification window and unplug the cable.
Requirement: USB Cable
Requires Internet Connection: No
Both Android and PC required to be on same Wifi: No
Will upload to third party server: No
Desktop client: None
App on device: None
Bluetooth Transfer
2. Bluetooth
If your PC and Android device both support Bluetooth transfer, you can transfer files both ways by pairing them up and sending file(s) from one end and receiving at the other. This method can be really slow and unreliable especially for large files. Also many a time, batch transfer can be unavailable. However if you don’t have a USB cable or a working wifi connection, this is very useful.
Requirement: Both devices need to support Bluetooth
Requires Internet Connection: No
Both Android and PC required to be on same Wifi: No
Will upload to third party server: No
Desktop client: None
App on device: None
3. Shared Wifi
Airdroid interface on Browser
This is a fast and reliable way to transfer files wirelessly. However, you need to have your android and pc connected to the same wifi connection. This method requires a transfer client installed on your device. While there are many choices, Airdroid is our favorite. You can get it for free from the playstore. All you need to do is open the app, and tap on the ‘Start’ button. Now enter the given IP address (192.168.X.XXX:XXXX) into your browser’s address bar, and after confirmation, you’ll be presented with a beautiful and feature rich interface.
You can do a number of things from here – browse photos, music and videos stored on your device, compose messages and make calls, check call records, launch and install apps on your device, use your device’s camera from the browser etc. You can also browse the memory and transfer files to and from your phone/tablet.
This app even has a widget that you can place on your home screen and launch it with ease.
Requirement: PC must have wireless network adapter
Requires Internet Connection: No
Both Android and PC required to be on same Wifi: Yes
Will upload to third party server: No
Desktop client: Any web browser
App on device: Airdroid, 3CX DroidDesktop 2, Wifi File Transfer, Wifi File Explorer etc.
Microsd Card Readers and Microsd to Minisd adapter
4. Microsd method
If your phone/tablet supports microsd storage then you can use a microsd card reader or a microsd to minisd adapter to connect the microsd card to your PC and transfer files, and later reinsert it to your device. This method is very fast compared to any other, and is particularly useful when large files (eg, movies) are to be transferred. However it isn’t really practical to remove your microsd card every time you need to transfer something.
Requirement: Microsd card reader or microsd to minisd adapter
Requires Internet Connection: No
Both Android and PC required to be on same Wifi: No
Will upload to third party server: No
Desktop client: None
App on device: None
Supported cloud services in ES File Explorer
5. Using Cloud Services
You may already be using some cloud services like DropBox, SkyDrive, Google Drive, Box, SugarSync etc. Most cloud services offer an Android app that can be used to download (and upload) files from the cloud which you can also access from your PC with ease. So basically what you do is copy the files you want to transfer, to appropriate location so it can be uploaded to the cloud, and when it’s done, you can access the file from the other end.
We recommend using ES File Explorer, which can connect to Box, SugarSync, Dropbox, Skydrive, Google Drive, Amazon S3, Yandex and Ubuntu, all from the same place.
Requirement: Account in any of the free cloud services mentioned above
Requires Internet Connection: Yes
Both Android and PC required to be on same Wifi: No
Will upload to third party server: Yes
Desktop client: Desktop application of the respective service
App on device: ES File Explorer, Go FileMaster, Dropbox, GDrive etc
6. Connecting via LAN
PCs connected in LAN
Shared Folders
Sharing a folder
This is another method that requires the device and PC to be in the same network. You basically set up the device and PC in a LAN and use an app (ES File Explorer recommended) that can respond to windows file sharing in your device. In addition to being able to copy files between your device and shared folders in your PC, you can also browse files on your PC directly from your device, and even stream music and videos.
Here’s how you do it, open ES File Explorer, goto Menu > Network > LAN.
Now tap ‘Scan’ button at the bottom. If your PC is detected, enter the login details and you’re good to go. You can also manually enter the IP address of your node by tapping on the ‘New’ button.
To know the IP address of your PC, enter ‘ipconfig /all’ command in the command prompt.
To share a folder or drive on your PC, Right Click > Properties > Sharing > Advanced Sharing > then check ‘Share this folder’.
Requirement: PC must have wireless network adapter
Requires Internet Connection: No
Both Android and PC required to be on same Wifi: Yes
Will upload to third party server: No
Desktop client: None
App on device: ES File Explorer, Go FileMaster etc
7. Email
This can be useful in situations when you only need to share small files, and don’t want to bother creating a cloud account for just that. What you do is compose an email, attach the file you want to share and send it to another id or save it as a draft. Then you can access the email from your device and download it. Of course the transfer can be done both ways.
Requirement: An Email id
Requires Internet Connection: Yes
Both Android and PC required to be on same Wifi: No
Will upload to third party server: Yes
Desktop client: Any email client or web browser
App on device: Any email client or web browser
8. Setting up FTP server
Setting up your device as FTP Server
This is yet another wireless method. How this differs from other methods is that you can access your device’s memory from right within your file manager on PC, as though you had mounted the device using USB cable. To enable ftp access to your phone/tablet, you can use apps like FTP Droid, SwiFTP, Software Data Cable, or our favorite ES File Explorer (a must have app on any android device). With ES File Explorer, go to Menu > Tools > Remote Manager. Then select ‘Turn on’. You will be given an ftp address which you can enter in the Windows Explorer, or even your browser. You can even create a network location or map the FTP drive as a local drive using NetDrive.
Requirement: None
Requires Internet Connection: No
Both Android and PC required to be on same Wifi: Yes
Will upload to third party server: No
Desktop client: Windows Explorer, Web Browser, FileZilla etc
App on device: ES File Explorer, FTP Droid, SwiFTP, Software Data Cable etc
An OTG Cable
9. OTG Method
This may not be the most popular or even the most efficient method. However this can be very useful in many situations – like when you’re travelling, or at times when internet is inaccessible, or just for basic media consumption. I find myself frequently streaming movies from my pendrive. It’s just so much easier this way. Obviously your device needs to support USB OTG for this to work. You’ll need a USB storage drive and an OTG cable. After connecting, you’ll be able to access the contents of the USB drive on your phone and if your phone supports RW, even write to it.
Requirement: USB Drive, OTG Cable
Requires Internet Connection: No
Both Android and PC required to be on same Wifi: No
Will upload to third party server: No
Desktop client: Windows Explorer
App on device: Any file manager
10. Torrent Sync
BitTorrent Sync App
This method is for those who want to synchronize folders in PC and Android, but do not want them to be uploaded to any third party server. This peer-to-peer syncing is achieved using torrent technology. You can use this method to sync files between multiple devices running PC, Mac, Linux, Android or iOS. Check out the official site for more information.
Requirement: None
Requires Internet Connection: Yes
Both Android and PC required to be on same Wifi: No
Will upload to third party server: No
Desktop client: BitTorrent Sync client
App on device: BitTorrent Sync
BitTorrent Sync on Mac
Many of these methods require a shared wifi connection. In case you don’t have a working wifi router you can create a wifi connection by creating a hotspot from your PC or Android device, and have the other connect to it.
As mentioned earlier, not all methods are applicable everywhere. It’s good to know them however, for when the need arises. Feel free to write below if you come across any problem or need help.
