How to transfer files from PC to Android (and Android to PC)
Move photos, videos, PDFs, music - any file - between a Windows or Mac computer and an Android phone, in either direction, at full quality. No cable, no app, no account.
The cable way, and why people skip it
Android is friendlier than iPhone here: plug the phone into a PC with a USB cable, tap the "Charging this device" notification, switch it to File transfer (MTP), and the phone shows up in File Explorer so you can drag files across. It works - but only if you have the right cable to hand, only if Windows recognises the phone (MTP drivers are notoriously flaky), and it does nothing for a Mac without installing Android File Transfer, which is clumsy and often disconnects. When any of that goes wrong, or you just want something quick and wireless, a browser transfer is far less hassle.
The wireless way: DropAnything
DropAnything connects the computer's browser and the Android phone's browser directly and streams the files between them. It works both ways and handles any file type.
- On the device that has the files, open DropAnything, choose Send, and pick them.
- Click Create pairing link to get a QR code and a 6-digit code.
- On the other device, open the same page, choose Receive, and scan the QR (from the phone) or type the code.
- The files stream across. On Android, photos and videos can be saved to your Gallery and other files go to Downloads; on the PC they download to your Downloads folder.
Any file type, any size
Unlike email or chat apps, there is no attachment cap and no quality loss. Send a single PDF, a folder of RAW photos, a movie file, an APK, a ZIP - the original bytes are transferred untouched. For very large transfers, keeping both devices on the same Wi-Fi gives the fastest speeds, and sending in a couple of groups helps if the phone is short on free storage.
Where received files land on Android
DropAnything splits saving into two buttons so files end up where you expect. The green Save photos & videos to gallery button routes images and video into your Gallery/Photos app through Android's share sheet. The grey Save files button downloads PDFs, music, documents and archives into your Downloads folder, where you can open them with the right app. That separation avoids the common problem of a downloaded photo not showing up in the gallery.
Troubleshooting
Windows does not see the phone over USB. Make sure you switched the USB mode to File transfer (MTP), try a different cable or port, then fall back to the wireless method above.
The browser transfer will not connect. Keep the sending page open (the code is only live while that tab is open) and put both devices on the same Wi-Fi.
A download will not open on the phone. Some file types need a specific app - a PDF needs a PDF viewer, for example. The file is intact in Downloads; open it from there with the right app.
Frequently asked questions
Does it work both PC to Android and Android to PC?
Yes - just pick Send on whichever device has the files and Receive on the other.
Do I need a cable?
No. The transfer is wireless through the browser; a cable is optional.
Is there a size limit?
No fixed cap. Large files work; keep both pages open until the transfer completes.
Does it work on a Mac too?
Yes - it is cross-platform, so Mac to Android and Android to Mac work the same way.
See also: send files between phone and PC and send large video files free.