How to Transfer Data From Your Computer to Phone Quickly

Your desktop computer and phone are two things you use every day. The latter is smaller and portable compared to the other but can’t hold everything your computer does.

So, what do you do to transfer stuff from your computer to your phone? Here are six ways you can take your computer files with you wherever you go.

1. Save Material to Evernote, Then Access It by Phone

Many people think of Evernote as only a note-taking application. However, you can save images, cool websites you find online, emails, and more. Evernote has drag-and-drop functionality that simplifies adding content front your computer.

Then, download the mobile app, install it on your phone, and launch it. Evernote works in the cloud. This means anything you save on your computer will appear on your phone in the app, too.

Download: Evernote for Android | iOS (Free with premium plans)

2. Utilize the Many Capabilities of Microsoft OneNote

By taking advantage of Microsoft OneNote, you have another option for transferring content. This app lets you create lists, upload audio files for transcription purposes, insert images, and more. Install it on both your computer and phone, then access your data anywhere.

Aside from typing notes, you can do a freeform drawing with your mouse on a computer. On a mobile device, just use your finger.

It’s also possible to save emails in OneNote by sending them to a dedicated address. After setting up that feature, you’ll see the emails on both your computer and your phone.

Consider collaborating with OneNote via a shared notebook, too. Create one in either the desktop version or mobile app, then tell friends they have access. This option could be handy when planning a birthday party, upcoming trip, or any other group event.

Download Microsoft OneNote for Android | iOS

3. Make a List With Alexa, Then Access It by Phone

Alexa complements Amazon’s smart speakers, but you can also use it in a web browser. The internet version can do everything the app does. You may prefer using it if you don’t like your smartphone’s smaller screen.

First, set up your Amazon device. Then, link it to a Wi-Fi network and your Amazon account. After that, sign into your Amazon account on your phone.

Finally, open the Alexa web portal in a browser. Once it loads, choose To-Do List or Shopping List from the left menu.

Create and edit lists from your computer, then open the Alexa app to view them on your phone. The web and mobile versions conveniently look identical.

Download: Alexa for Android | iOS (Free, but requires a compatible Amazon device)

4. Upload Pictures to Google Photos or Google Drive

Between social media photos and screenshots for starters, it’s likely you saved some pictures to your computer. Google Photos and Google Drive both facilitate accessing files on your phone.

Let’s look at Google Photos first. Go to the Google Photos web interface. Click Upload on the top right and choose photos from your computer to add. Then, click Open at the bottom of the file selection box to start the transfer.

Google Photos also works if you drag and drop pictures into desired albums to upload them. Then, install the Google Photos app on your phone and view your snapshots on mobile.

Prefer using Google Drive? First, open Google Drive on your computer. Then, look for the New button in the upper left. Click it and select New Folder.

After making that folder, you can drag pictures from your computer into it. In addition to holding photos, your Google Drive account accommodates and allows for sharing documents, audio files, and videos.

Download: Google Photos for Android | iOS (Free)
Download: Google Drive for Android | iOS (Free)

5. Transfer From PC to Phone With a Micro-USB Cable

Sometimes, you may have files not associated with a cloud-based service. In that case, find a micro-USB cable to help transfer them from a computer to Android phone.

Start by saving computer files to a folder on your desktop. If your desktop has a lot of things on it, you can easily give the folder a distinctive name. Then, it’s easier to find.

Connect your phone to the computer with the cable and wait a moment. Watch for a dialogue box on your phone. If applicable, it’ll ask for permission to turn on file sharing.

Alternatively, it may recognize the USB cable and prompt you to mount the phone to the computer. If so, tap the Mount button on your phone.

Then, it’s time to find the drive for your smartphone. On a Mac, you’ll do that via the Finder—if you’re using Windows, use the File Explorer. When you find the smartphone’s drive, click it and notice that it’s a folder on your computer.

Next, locate the files on your computer to transfer to the phone. You can select several at a time, too. Just hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and click them. After choosing all the files, press Ctrl + C to copy them.

Go back to the smartphone folder on your computer.

Keep in mind that some smartphones have folders for organizing different kinds of files like music or images. If you see those, strategically grab content from your desktop by type. Then, it’s easier to ensure the material goes in the right section. Press Ctrl + V to paste files from your computer into the smartphone folder.

Look for a progress bar that indicates the files are transferring. When the transfer finishes, you can disconnect the USB cable.

Be sure to disconnect or eject it using the options on your computer first, though. They’re often found in the File menu, or by right-clicking the icon representing your phone. You can also tap the USB Connected notification on your phone, then Disconnect.

6. Use the Wi-Fi File Transfer App

Earlier, you learned how to put PC files on your Android with a USB cable. But, what if you don’t have one handy or just hate cables? The Wi-Fi File Transfer app is a convenient alternative to the previous method.

First, download the app, then click the Settings button and enter the information into your computer’s network. Your phone and computer must use the same Ethernet or Wi-Fi network.

When you click the Start button in the app, it generates a unique URL to type into your computer’s browser. Go to that address and see how it shows all the files on your phone. There is also an information pane on the left for your phone and an area for starting a transfer.

Besides using this app to move files from your computer, you can rename files on your phone. Just type the new names on your computer’s keyboard.

It’s also possible to grab several files from your smartphone at once. If you stick with the free version of this app, it handles files up to five megabytes.

Download: Wi-Fi File Transfer for Android (Free with a premium version available)

How Do You Transfer Data From PC to Phone?

Whether you prefer PCs or Macs, or iPhones or Androids, these tips get the job done without delay. The methods above let you seamlessly shift computer files to a phone, allowing for data access wherever you may be. Try these tips to easily transfer data from your Mac or Windows to your mobile device!