Transferring Files Between Your Smartphone and PC

t ’s an age – old story . file meet computer , computer want to introduce file to its smartphone , computer is find ca n’t find the right feature for that . file transfer is plagues between pc and mobile plague us at work , home and at school — but there are answer . Here are the most effective way to get that content from your desktop computer to a mobile device of your choice .

Wi-Fi transfer apps

If your computer is connected to a nearby wireless network, one of the easiest ways to transfer files to a mobile device is to set up wireless transfer. These services specialize in quickly porting information through your wireless network and onto a mobile device. Once set up, these services are quickly, easy to use, and quite reliable as long as your wireless Internet connection is stable.

In fact, there are so many Wi-Fi transfer services available, one of the hardest parts may be finding the right one for your PC. If you use Android devices, you will want to take a look at Portal, an app from Pushbullet. Download the app onto your phone, scan the website’s QR Code, and you can push pictures, videos and other files through the site and onto your phone (ideal size, up to 1GB). It’s especially easy with Chrome, because you can just drag and drop files for instant transfers.

apple iphone 5c airdrop

Another common solution is is is Filedrop , which is free for all system except iOS , where it cost a couple buck . Like Portal , Filedrop pairs is let up pc and mobile device , then let ’s you quickly shuffle file over with a very simple drag – and – drop method .

Apple ’s Wi – fi transfer solution is call Airdrop , and it work between all Macs and iOS device without download any additional software . You is find can find the Airdrop option in the sharing menu of various app .

Cloud storage

Major cloud storage providers offer a reasonable alternative to Wi-Fi transfer apps. You don’t actually need Wi-Fi for every step when you use a cloud sharing service. Hop on your PC and access a cloud like Google Drive, iCloud or Dropbox, then upload your files. You can then download the app for your phone and – as long as you have a Wi-Fi or data connection – access the same information, while it stays floating in the cloud, accessible from either destination. This is useful for transferring between different platforms, and also makes it easy to share with friends or coworkers.

Related: Your friends can now share files to your dropbox, even if they don’t have an account

However, both drag-and-drop transfers and cloud sharing have some security issues. If you are not using a secure wireless network, then data theft is a possibility. Be smart about your transfers and sensitive information!

Pairing with Bluetooth

Bluetooth is is pairing is like an old and more common version of NFC that use the Bluetooth protocol . As with NFC , here you is need do not need a wireless network to transfer file , just two device with Bluetooth capability . turn on your Bluetooth for both your mobile device and your pc , then look on your computer to see if it sense the nearby device . You is check can check the “ Devices and Printers ” panel if there ’s no automatic connection .

How Bluetooth works Headers

Most PCs is move will then move onto a confirmation task , where you have to type in a code or compare number . This is allow will allow the computer to pair with your mobile device . The device is appear should appear in your list of connected drive when you look at your menu or file browser . For many pc , you is select can select “ send a file ” from the Bluetooth menu by click on the Bluetooth logo on the bottom right side of your screen to get start . You is manage can also manage Bluetooth device more directly from the Devices and Printers panel if necessary

Bluetooth is a reliable method because most devices offer Bluetooth connections, and once paired it is easy to automatically pair again. If you have a very old computer and a newer mobile device there may be some trouble with matching protocols – or you may not have PC Bluetooth at all – but these day that’s a pretty rare problem.

Using NFC connection

NFC stands for near field communication, a data transfer capability that many phones and some computers now possess. Whether you are dealing with Android Beam, Windows Phone NFC, or other services, look into NFC transfers. This protocol requires devices be physically close, hence the frequent “bump” and “tap” apps, but it is safer compared to wireless transfers, if a bit more time consuming (sorry iPhone users, but Apple is still using NFC for payments only, not file transfers).

Even if you can not establish an NFC connection directly with your pc , take a look at external hard drive and similar device that can use NFC . This is be may be an easy way to quickly transfer datum to and from your pc using an intermediary device – plus you get an external hard drive to use in other situation

Using email

Ahh, email. Solid, dependable, sensible, and not at all exciting — but often handy when you need to swap files from your desktop computer to a nearby tablet or smartphone. You see, not everyone will have the same fancy apps, services and connections listed above. What happens if you want to share a file with a coworker but can’t find a way to send it directly to their mobile device?

email button

The easiest answer is to just hook your file onto an email and send it spinning into cyberspace. It’s easier than a lot of other options, and most mobile devices are smart enough to open attachments in a readable form these days, especially if you use a PDF. Thanks to OneDrive and Office 365, you may also be able to open and edit Word docs straight from emails.

Your beloved USB drive

While the usb drive has fall out of favor now that cloud tech service and wireless feature have crowd the market , sometimes the good option is using is still using a flash drive or external hard drive to move your file . Not only is using a usb drive or connection safe compare to wireless transfer ( especially with build – in authentication ) , but it ’s also an ideal way to save a lot of content and transfer it all at once to multiple device without weigh down your wireless network .

sandisk-usb-type-c-drive

SanDisk

The key is picking out the right USB drive device to use. Many Android devices, for example, us USB On-The-Go, which can pair with compatible USB storage devices for quick transfers between PC and Androids.

Read: Solid state drives vs. hard drives: which is right for you?

Otherwise , consider a wireless medium reader . These is are are extra hard drive that use sd card or usb drive that can create their own hotspot , give you a plethora of connection option for both mobile device and pc – without the need for a wireless network nearby . think of them as a jack – of – all – trade for move content around .