How to transfer photos from Android to PC with a cable or wirelessly

The most direct way to transfer photos from Android to PC is a USB cable: plug in the phone while it isn't locked, choose File Transfer on the phone and import with the Windows Photos app. If you don't have a cable, here's how to go wireless: send photos with Google's Quick Share app for Windows, see recent shots in Microsoft's Phone Link or download backups from Google Photos.

Last updated November 3, 2026

The short version

USB cable: best for a whole camera roll, photos and videos alike. Use a cable that can carry data, because Google and Microsoft both warn that some cables only charge.
Quick Share: sends photos and videos wirelessly. It needs Google's Quick Share app on a 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC.
Phone Link: shows your recent photos on the PC, but Microsoft says it doesn't import videos.
Google Photos: if backup is on, your photos are already in the cloud, and you can download them from photos.google.com on any PC.
Bluetooth: needs no extra app, but the phone has to be paired with the PC first.

Which method should you use?

Method	Cable needed	Videos	Best for
USB cable and Photos app	Yes	Yes	Moving everything at once
Quick Share for Windows	No	Yes	Sending a few photos or videos
Phone Link	No	No	Grabbing a recent photo or screenshot
Google Photos	No	Yes	Photos that are already backed up
Bluetooth	No	Yes	PCs without extra apps installed

How to transfer photos from Android to PC with a USB cable

A cable copies files straight from the phone's storage, with no account or network involved. It works on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Make sure your phone isn't locked. Microsoft says a PC can't find a device that's locked.
Connect the phone to the PC with a USB cable that can transfer data.
On the phone, tap the "Charging this device via USB" notification.
Under "Use USB for", select File Transfer.
On the PC, select Start and open the Photos app.
Select Import, choose your phone, then pick the photos you want and where to save them.

You can skip the Photos app if you prefer. Google's instructions say a file transfer window opens on the computer once File Transfer is on. You can copy photos from that window into a folder on the PC. When you're done, eject the phone in Windows before you unplug the cable.

If your camera app syncs to OneDrive or Google Photos, Microsoft says you can also download those photos from the cloud service in a web browser.

How to transfer photos from Android to PC wirelessly with Quick Share

Quick Share is available on Android 6 and later, and Google makes a Quick Share app for Windows. Google's help page says the PC needs a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or later, and that ARM-based PCs need Windows 11 or later. Download it from Google's Android website. Samsung PC owners should use Samsung's Quick Share app from the Microsoft Store instead, because Google says its own app no longer supports Samsung PCs.

Google says both devices need Bluetooth on, along with Wi-Fi or Ethernet on the same network, and should be within about 5m (16 feet) of each other.

Install Quick Share on the PC, open it and sign in with your Google Account. Google says not to run the app as administrator.
In the app's settings, check Device visibility. The options are Everyone, Contacts, Your devices and No one. Google suggests Contacts or Your devices for more privacy.
On the phone, open the photos you want to send, tap Share, then tap Quick Share.
Tap your PC in the list of nearby devices.
On the PC, check that any PIN matches the phone, then select Accept.

If the phone and PC are signed in to the same Google Account, Google says transfers are accepted automatically. Received files land in a Quick Share folder inside the PC's Downloads folder. Google's Android website says Quick Share transfers are protected by end-to-end encryption.

New: Google's November 2026 system update lists automatic photo and video backup from Android to Windows through Quick Share. The feature is part of Google Play services version 26.43, released November 2. Google hasn't published setup steps. Our news report on Android photo backup to Windows has the details.

How to use Phone Link to get photos on your PC

Phone Link is Microsoft's app for connecting an Android phone to Windows. Microsoft lists these requirements: a PC running Windows 11 or Windows 10 with the October 2022 update or later, an Android phone running Android 10 or later and both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. The phone needs Microsoft's Link to Windows app, which is preinstalled on some phones and available from Google Play.

On the PC, search for Phone Link from the taskbar and open it. Sign in to your Microsoft account if asked.
On the phone, open or install Link to Windows and sign in with the same Microsoft account.
Pair the two by scanning the QR code on the PC screen with the app, then grant the permissions it asks for.
In Phone Link on the PC, select Photos.
Drag a photo to the desktop, or right-click it and choose Save as to put it in a folder.

Microsoft says Phone Link only shows your most recent photos from the camera and screenshot folders, and it doesn't import videos. Phone Link also doesn't support work or school accounts or multiple Android profiles, according to Microsoft.

How to download your photos from Google Photos

If your phone backs up to Google Photos, you don't need the phone at all. The photos are stored in your Google Account, and you can download them on any computer.

On the PC, go to photos.google.com and sign in.
Select a photo or video.
Click More, then Download.

To check that backup is on, open the Google Photos app on the phone, tap your profile picture or initial, open Photos settings and select Backup. Google notes that your account storage is shared across Google Photos, Google Drive and Gmail, so a large library uses up that space. Google also warns that your operating system may give a downloaded file a new date based on when you downloaded it. The original date stays in the file's details.

For your whole library at once, Google's support pages point to a separate guide on exporting your Google Photos data.

How to transfer photos from Android to PC with Bluetooth

Bluetooth file transfer is built into Windows, so it needs no extra app. Microsoft says the phone has to be paired with the PC first. Then:

On a Windows 11 PC, go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices. On Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Devices.
Under Related settings, select "Send or receive files via Bluetooth".
Select Receive files. The PC shows a "Waiting for a connection" page.
Start the transfer from the phone.
When the transfer finishes, keep the default save location or choose another with Browse, then select Finish.

If the "Send or receive files via Bluetooth" option is missing, Microsoft says the PC may not have a Bluetooth adapter, or its drivers may not be installed.

Can't transfer photos from Android to PC? Try these fixes

The phone doesn't show up over USB: make sure the phone isn't locked, tap the USB notification on the phone and make sure File Transfer is selected under "Use USB for".
Still nothing: try a different cable. Microsoft says cables vary and some can only charge. Google also suggests restarting the computer, restarting the phone and updating Android.
Test the hardware: Google suggests connecting the phone to a different computer to test its USB port, and connecting another device to your computer to test the PC's port.
Quick Share can't find the PC: check that Bluetooth is on for both devices and that they share a network. If they still can't see each other, Google suggests moving them within about 30cm (1 foot). Google says office networks can block device-to-device sharing. Its workaround is to turn off the phone's Wi-Fi, turn on its hotspot and connect the PC to it.
No Quick Share notifications on the PC: Google says to turn off Focus Assist or Do not disturb and allow notifications for Quick Share.

Once the photos are on your computer, a lightweight photo editor can handle cropping and touch-ups, even on an older PC.

Frequently asked questions

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

For a large batch, a USB cable that supports data is the practical choice, since it copies straight from the phone's storage with no network involved. Microsoft notes that cables vary in transfer speed. For a few photos, Quick Share means you don't have to find a cable.

Can I transfer photos from Android to PC without a USB cable?

Yes. Quick Share for Windows sends photos and videos wirelessly, Phone Link shows your recent photos and Google Photos lets you download anything that's backed up. Bluetooth also works for a few files.

Can I transfer photos from Android to PC while the phone is locked?

Not over USB. Microsoft says a PC can't find a locked device, and the File Transfer setting is chosen on the phone itself. If your photos are backed up to Google Photos, you can download them without touching the phone.

Where do Quick Share photos go on my PC?

Google says files received by Quick Share for Windows are saved to a Quick Share folder inside your Downloads folder. On an Android phone, received files appear in the Files app under Downloads > Quick Share.

How do I transfer photos from Android to a Windows 11 laptop?

Every method in this guide works on Windows 11. Quick Share needs Windows 10 or later in 64-bit form, and Phone Link needs Windows 10 with the October 2022 update or later.