Full Tutorial: How to Transfer Data from Android to PC [Windows & Mac]

What is the fastest way to transfer files from Android to PC?

It is not difficult to transfer data from Android to PC. But you'll need to take action according to different situations. For example, are your Android device and PC near each other, or are they in different places? Or is your PC running a Windows OS or macOS? There are keys to the specific method you may choose.

Don't worry. We'll introduce several methods to transfer data from Android to PC. You'll find the way that suits your situation the most here.

How to transfer data from Android to PC [Windows & Mac]

Let's check out the ways to transfer data from Android to Windows or Mac.

Part 1. Transfer data from Android to a Windows PC

With Windows, you've got plenty of options. The following are 5 ways to transfer data from Android to a Windows PC. By the way, the ways are also applicable to transferring data from PC to Android.

Method 1. Transfer data from Android to a Windows PC using a USB cable

If your Android device is in the same place as the Windows PC, the easiest way is to use a USB cable.

Step 1. Connect your phone to any available USB connection on your computer. Swipe your finger from the top of the screen down, tap Changing this device via USB > This device > File transfer.

Step 2. Your phone will now start showing up in the computer's File Explorer. You can then drag and drop files between your Android device and Windows PC.

Method 2. Transfer data from Android to Windows PC via Bluetooth

If you prefer to transfer data from Android to PC without USB, you can use Bluetooth. The two devices also need to be within a certain distance in order to pair with each other.

Step 1. From the top of the Android phone screen, swipe down to find the Bluetooth icon and turn it on.

Step 2. Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth on your PC. The Android device should appear in the device list. Choose the Pair adjacent to it.

Step 3. Now your Android and PC are connected via Bluetooth. Choose the files you want to transfer, use the Share button, and select Bluetooth to share the data.

Method 3. Sync Android data with Windows PC using cloud storage services

If the Android device is in a different place from the Windows PC, the way to transfer data from Android to PC wirelessly is by using cloud storage services. OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, etc., are all cloud storage service providers. Here we'll take Google drive as an example.

Step 1. On your Android phone, please download Google Drive from your app store.

Step 2. Log in to the app with your Google account. Otherwise, you're required to sign up for a personal Google account on the primary page.

Step 3. Tap on the "Plus" icon on the interface to choose Upload, and next choose Upload photos or videos. You will select the photos on your Android phone to upload on Google Drive.

Step 4. Navigate to the Google Drive official website on your computer and sign in using your Google account. Download the files you just uploaded.

Method 4. Transfer Android data to Windows PC via third-party file transfer tools

You can also transfer Android data to Windows PC via third-party file transfer tools. For example, AirDroid.

Step 1. Visit AirDroid's webpage from your PC and create an account.

Step 2. Download the AirDroid Personal App from the app store on your Android and sign in to your AirDroid account.

Step 3. Follow the instruction to complete the permission authority. Make sure to let Files accessible.

Step 4. From AirDroid Transfer, find and choose your PC. Use the paper clip icon to browse and select files for sending to the PC or drag and drop to move files.

Part 2. Transfer data from Android to a Mac

To transfer data from Android to a Mac, you can use the above-mentioned cloud storage services like Google Drive and third-party file transfer tools like AirDroid. There's another official Google program called Android File Transfer that could also let you do this. To use the program, your Mac must be running macOS 10.7 or later, and your Android device must have Android 3.0 or later.

Step 1. Navigate to the main Android File Transfer website and download it. Afterward, launch the installer and drag the Android File Transfer icon into the Applications folder.

Step 2. Connect the Android device to the Mac using the USB cord, ensuring the screen is unlocked in the process.

Step 3. The software will automatically open when you plug your device in after the first time doing so. Browse the files and folders on your Android device and copy files, then paste them to your Mac.

Bonus tip: How to access everything on PC from Android devices

We strongly recommend using AnyViewer to remotely access and control a Windows computer from your Android devices. AnyViewer is a free remote desktop application available for Windows, Android, and iOS. With AnyViewer, you can fully access almost everything on the Windows PC from your Android phone or tablet. You are allowed to run Windows apps on Android, play PC games, or restart your PC from Android remotely.

Step 1. Download AnyViewer for Windows on your Windows computer.

Step 2. Launch AnyViewer on your computer. Click Sign up to register a new account and log in.

Step 3. Download AnyViewer for mobile on your Android and login to the same account as you did on your computer.

Step 4. Go to the Device tab, select the computer you want to connect to and click One-click control.

Step 5. Then you can control your Windows computer from your Android.

Note: It is recommended to upgrade your account to a professional or enterprise plan to enjoy privacy mode and higher image quality.

Conclusions

This post gives methods to transfer data from Android to PC, including a Windows PC and a Mac. Choose suitable methods according to your own situation. It also mentions a remote desktop tool. AnyViewer is recommended if you wish to operate a remote computer from your Android mobile.