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How to Connect Android Phone to Computer: Top Solutions

Android is one of the most used operating systems in the world, and the driving force behind a range of devices. Whether it’s an image, video, or document, most Android users will find themselves needing to transfer files from their Android device to a computer.

We’re going to look at the different methods, how to connect Android phone to computer, and how to conveniently move files between the two.

Top choice
MacDroid
4.7 Rank based on 556+ users, Reviews(439)
MacDroid is one of the ways to connect Android to Mac.
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Use MacDroid to connect Android Phone to Mac

Once you know how to connect Android to Mac, it’s easy to move files between devices. This is crucial if you want to back up your Android files, sync with other devices, or simply place important data on your Mac. There are plenty of different ways to connect your device, depending on your preferences. Once connected, files can be moved back and forth easily. Read on to find out how to connect your phone to your computer.

Connect Android Phones to PC using USB

The most common method to connect phone to computer is by using a USB cable. You can do this either alongside a third-party app or simply by using existing software. We recommend using a third-party app, as it tends to make things more straightforward, and offers a higher level of file and folder management than if you simply move from folder to folder.

Using a USB cable with macOS

A USB cable is the most straightforward way to connect your Android device to macOS. USB cables are commonplace, and you’ve probably got a few as they’re generally used to charge phones. However, due to the compatibility issues between Mac and Android, you’ll want to use one of the following apps.

MacDroid
4.7 Rank based on 556 + users Reviews(439)
Requirements: macOS 10.12
Version: v1.6.1.131, Released 9 Sep, 2022 Release notes
Category: Utilities

MacDroid is the ideal tool for anyone looking to connect Android to Mac. It’s been designed to facilitate file transfers between Android and Mac devices, overcoming any of the compatibility issues that have previously caused problems with these processes.

MacDroid lets you mount both internal and external storages, making file and folder transfers the work of a few seconds. It doesn’t require you to download any additional plugins or extensions, all you need to do is download the app and start using it. Plus you can manage your files and folders directly from MacDroid, rather than through your Android device. MacDroid is easy to use, just follow these steps:


You can connect your Android to Mac and transfer files easily using MacDroid.

1
First of all, download the MacDroid app from the homepage and install it.
2
Open the app, go to "Devices" in the main menu, and connect your Android device to your Mac.
3
Select either ADB or MTP mode in MacDroid. ADB is recommended for higher speeds.
4
Follow the steps to give your computer access to your Android device.
5
You’re all set! You can now move files between your computer and Android device.
Quick guide how to transfer files from Android to Mac.

Android File Transfer

Android File Transfer is Android’s own program for transferring files between an Android device and a computer. It offers the basics and, as Android’s own native program, is one of the more popular solutions for file transfer. It’s been designed to overcome the compatibility issues between Android devices and the Mac operating system. Android file transfer is easy to use, here’s how to connect phone to laptop with AFT:

AFT is one of the most popular solutions for file transfer.
1
First of all, download Android File Transfer from the homepage and install it.
2
Open the app.
3
Connect your Android device to your Mac using a USB cable.
4
You can now browse files and folders on both devices, and move them between.

Using a USB cable with Windows

Using a USB cable, you can transfer files on Windows without the need for an additional program. However, this only works with the Windows operating system. Mac is not compatible and requires a third-party program. If you’re asking "how to connect my phone to my computer", here’s how to move files using a USB:

You can connect your Android to Windows computer without additional program using USB cable.
1
First of all, connect your Android device to your computer.
2
Tap the "Charging this device" box on your device’s screen, and change it to "File transfer".
3
If you’re doing this for the first time, Windows may take a couple of minutes installing the necessary drivers.
4
Open your File Explorer, and you should be able to access your device and move files between it and your computer.

Ways to wirelessly connect Android to a Computer

USB is one of the ways to connect your Android device to a computer. But you can also carry out this task using a wireless connection. A wireless connection is useful because it means that you do not have to worry about USB cables. On top of that, if you set up an automatic sync, your device will sync with your computer whenever in wireless range. The following are a few of the ways you can wirelessly connect.

AirDroid

AirDroid has been around for about ten years. It’s a reliable way to connect your Android device to your computer, and it’s able to work completely wirelessly. You can download it completely free, or pay for an additional version that gives you extra features. It’s also available in both personal and business editions. The following is how to transfer files using AirDroid personal:

AirDroid allows you to transfer files between devices and control devices remotely Android.
1
First of all, download and install AirDroid from the homepage.
2
Open the personal client.
3
Search for devices in the list on the left-hand side, and select the one you want to use.
4
All you need to do is drag and drop files into the "Send" box to send them between devices.

Microsoft Your Phone

Your Phone is Microsoft’s own app designed to pair an Android phone to a Windows PC. It’s a straightforward management program designed to let you sync, back up, and move files between folders. The app is available for free, and the following is how you connect Android to computer:

Microsoft Your Phone is a free app that allows you  to let you sync, back up, and move files between folders.
1
First of all, download the app from the homepage and install it.
2
Search for the Phone Link app on your Android device and select "Android".
3
Sign in to your Microsoft account.
4
Install the Your Phone companion app on your phone.
5
Sign in with the same account you use on your PC.
6
Use your phone camera and the companion app to scan the QR code displayed on your PC screen.
7
Your devices are now connected, and you can use the send files feature to move files and folders between them.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is one of the earliest wireless technologies and is one of the ones with the most compatibility options. While it may not be the fastest option out there, it is definitely one of the most common. The following is how to connect Android to PC using Bluetooth:

Bluetooth is one of the earliest wireless technologies, but isn’t fast and often has bugs.
1
Ensure that the Bluetooth on your Android device is on and that your device is visible.
2
Go to the Bluetooth settings on your computer.
3
Select your Android device, and pair it with your computer.
4
You will be given codes on both devices, exchange them to confirm the pair.
5
Use the "Send or receive files via Bluetooth" option to move files between the two devices.

Why Your Android Phone Won't Connect to Your PC

There are a number of different reasons why you might be having difficulties connecting your Android phone to your computer. One of the most common issues is a problem with the USB. You can get around this by trying a different USB cable or using a different USB port on your computer.

Another USB issue is providing permission. The biggest mistake that people make when they’re trying to connect an Android phone to a computer via USB is they don’t check the box that allows the phone to be used as a USB drive.

Compatibility issues are something else to bear in mind. You may need to renew your drivers, update your operating system, or ensure that you have no other file transfer systems running in the background.

The most common errors that occur when connecting an Android to a computer.

Conclusion

That’s pretty much all you need to know about connecting your Android device to a computer. We’ve covered all the bases for both Mac and Windows. You’ll probably want to use different ones depending on your requirements. That said, we’re happy to recommend MacDroid for any Mac users, we found it by far the most convenient of all the options we covered for macOS.

For Windows, you’ll need to check out one of our other solutions. Whatever you use, bear in mind the issues we’ve covered in our troubleshooting section in case you run into any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions:

As we’ve mentioned in our troubleshooting section, the issue is probably with either your USB or your operating system. Try a different cable and slot, or update your system.
Simply connect with a USB, ensuring that you check the settings on your phone are set to sharing.
The wireless options we’ve looked at above, such as third-party programs or Bluetooth, are the ideal way to connect wirelessly.
MacDroid

Break transfer barrier between Android and Mac

Requires macOS 10.12 or newer; compatible with all Android and MTP devices
View Android files on Mac with MacDroid.
Requires macOS 10.12 or newer; compatible with any Android and MTP devices
4.7 overall rank,
based on 556+ users, Reviews(439)
Version 1.6.1.131,
released on 9 Sep, 2022