How to Transfer Photos from Android to Computer

If you have photos on your Android phone that you would like to keep on your computer, you can copy them across in a few simple steps. Learning how to transfer photos from Android to PC is useful for making a backup, freeing up phone storage, or organizing pictures on a larger screen.

The easiest method for a Windows computer is usually a USB cable. If you use a Mac, or would rather not connect a cable, Google Photos can be a convenient alternative.

What you’ll need

• Your Android phone.
• A computer with enough free storage space.
• A USB cable that supports data transfer, if you plan to use the cable method.
• Your Google Account details, if you plan to use Google Photos.

Step 1: Connect your Android phone to your Windows PC

A USB cable can transfer photos directly without using the internet. Use the cable that came with your phone if possible, as some charging cables do not transfer files.

1. Unlock your Android phone.
2. Connect it to your Windows PC with the USB cable.
3. Look at your phone’s notifications for a message such as Charging this device via USB or USB preferences.
4. Tap that notification.
5. Under Use USB for, choose File transfer or Transferring files.

The wording varies between Android brands and versions. On Samsung Galaxy phones, you may see a USB notification with options such as Transferring files or Android Auto. Choose the file transfer option.

Tip: Keep your phone unlocked while connecting it. If the USB notification does not appear, unplug the cable, reconnect it, and check the phone’s notifications again.

Step 2: Open your phone’s photos on the PC

Once file transfer is enabled, Windows should recognize your Android phone as a connected device.

1. On your PC, open File Explorer. You can select its folder icon on the taskbar or press Windows key + E.
2. Select This PC in the left-hand panel.
3. Look for your phone under Devices and drives or in the navigation panel.
4. Double-click the phone’s name.
5. Open Internal shared storage, if shown, then open the DCIM folder.
6. Open Camera to see photos taken with your phone’s camera.

DCIM is a common folder name for photos and videos captured by a camera. Pictures saved from messaging apps, downloads, or other apps may be stored in different folders, such as Pictures or Download.

Step 3: Copy photos to your computer

You can copy individual pictures or a whole group of photos. Copying is safer than moving because it leaves the originals on your phone until you have checked the computer copies.

1. In the Camera folder, select the photos you want.
2. To select several separate photos, hold Ctrl while clicking each one. To select everything in the folder, press Ctrl + A.
3. Right-click the selection and choose Copy.
4. Open a folder on your PC where you want to keep the photos, such as Pictures.
5. Right-click in the folder and choose Paste.
6. Wait for the copying process to finish.

You can create a new folder first, using New > Folder, and give it a name such as “Phone photos - November 2026.”

Careful: Do not delete the photos from your phone immediately. Open a few of the copied pictures on your PC first and check that they look right.

Step 4: Use the Windows Photos app to import pictures

If you prefer a guided import instead of copying files through File Explorer, the Windows Photos app may be able to import pictures from your connected phone.

1. Connect and unlock your Android phone.
2. Set the USB connection to File transfer, as described in Step 1.
3. Open the Photos app on your Windows PC.
4. Select Import, then choose your connected Android device if it appears.
5. Follow the prompts to select and import the pictures.

The layout and import options can vary with the version of the Photos app. If your phone does not appear, use File Explorer instead.

Step 5: Transfer photos using Google Photos

Google Photos is useful if you do not have a suitable USB cable or if you are using a Mac. It uploads photos to your Google Account so you can access them from a web browser on your computer.

1. On your Android phone, open Google Photos.
2. Tap your profile picture or initials.
3. Open Photos settings and look for Backup.
4. Turn on Backup if you want your photos uploaded to your Google Account.
5. Wait for the backup to finish. This may take time if you have many photos or a slow internet connection.
6. On your computer, open a browser and go to photos.google.com.
7. Sign in to the same Google Account.
8. Select the photos you want, open the More menu if needed, and choose Download.

The exact menu wording can vary by Google Photos version. You can also download a photo by opening it and using the download option.

Good to know: Google Photos backup uses your Google Account storage, which is shared with services such as Gmail and Google Drive. Check your available storage before uploading a large photo collection.

Step 6: If you use a Mac

You can use Google Photos as described above to download pictures to a Mac. This avoids the extra steps that can be involved in connecting some Android phones directly to macOS.

1. Make sure your photos have finished backing up in Google Photos on your Android phone.
2. On your Mac, open Safari or another browser.
3. Visit photos.google.com and sign in to the same Google Account.
4. Select the photos you want to save.
5. Choose Download.
6. Open the downloaded files from your Mac’s Downloads folder, then move them into Photos or another folder if you wish.

If you want to transfer directly by cable, check your phone manufacturer’s current support instructions for macOS. Avoid downloading file-transfer software from unfamiliar websites.

Troubleshooting: If your computer cannot see your phone

My phone only charges when connected. The USB connection may be set to charging only. Unlock the phone, open the USB notification, and choose File transfer. If no notification appears, try another cable or USB port.

My phone does not appear in File Explorer. Disconnect and reconnect it, keep it unlocked, and check that file transfer is selected. Restarting the phone or PC may also help. Some USB cables are designed for charging only.

I cannot find all my pictures in the Camera folder. Photos from other apps may be stored in Pictures, Download, or an app-specific folder. You can look through the phone’s storage folders or use Google Photos to find backed-up images.

The transfer stops partway through. Try copying a smaller group of photos at a time. Make sure the computer has enough free storage and avoid disconnecting the cable while files are copying.

Google Photos is not showing my latest pictures. Open Google Photos on your phone and check the backup status under your profile. Connect to Wi-Fi if you prefer not to use mobile data, and leave the app time to finish uploading.

Keep a safe copy of your photos

A USB cable is a straightforward way to copy pictures to a Windows PC, while Google Photos can work well for both Windows and Mac computers. Whichever method you choose, open the transferred files and make sure they are safely stored before deleting anything from your phone.

For more help, visit Google’s Back up photos and videos guide or your phone manufacturer’s support website.