How To Transfer Pictures From Android Phone To Computer



I will show you how to transfer pictures from Android phone to computer. We’ll cover both Mac and Windows, as well as Chromebooks too. Here’s how it’s done…


You probably have taken some fantastic pictures with your smartphone that you want to transfer to your computer, and you are wondering how to go about doing it?

There are various ways you can go about it, and we will outline the best ways to quickly transfer photos from your phone to your computer below – including methods for Mac, Windows, and Chromebooks.

Here’s how it is done…

How To Transfer Pictures From Android Phone To Computer

Transfer pictures from phone to PC, Mac & Chromebook...

Method 1: Use USB Cable Transfer

This might be the most popular method yet. You can use your USB cable to transfer pictures and other files to your mac computer, Chromebook, and Windows computer.

For Mac computer:

  • Download and install Android file transfer on your PC
  • Launch Android file transfer
  • Unlock your phone
  • Connect your phone to your PC with a USB cable
  • Tap the Charging this device via USB notification on your phone
  • Select File Transfer under Use USB for
  • Android file transfer window will open, you can drag files there
  • Unplug your USB cable when you are done.

Note: Your PC must be running on Mac OS X 10.5 and higher for the above process to work.

For Chromebook:

  • Unlock your phone
  • Connect your phone to your Chromebook with a USB cable
  • Tap the Charging this device via USB notification on your phone
  • Select File Transfer under Use USB for
  • The Files app will open, you can use it to drag files
  • Unplug your USB cable when you are done.

For Windows computer:

  • Unlock your phone
  • Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable
  • Tap the Charging this device via USB notification on your phone
  • Select File Transfer under Use USB for MTP File transfer
  • Now, copy the pictures you want to save from your Android device to your computer
  • Eject your phone from windows when you are done
  • Unplug your USB cable when you are done.

Method 2:  Use A Phone App

This method works for those using a Windows computer. The advantage of this app is that asides from being able to transfer photos to your computer, you can make calls and read text messages on your computer. 

But your computer must be Windows 10 running the May 2019 update or later with Bluetooth capability.

To use this method:

  • From the Google Play Store, download and install the Your Phone Companion app on your phone
  • Once downloaded, sign in with your Microsoft account details and tap continue (you can sign up for a Microsoft account before you begin the process)
  • Allow permissions by tapping Continue
  • Grant access to your photos and media, texts call manager by tapping Allow
  • After granting access, tap continue to allow the app to refresh in the background
  • Go to your computer, launch the phone app (you should be signed in already)
  • Pair the phone to the system
  • Go back to your phone and tap my system is ready
  • Tap the allow button
  • Tap the done button
  • Your last photos should display automatically, if not click photos and select the see photos option
  • Right-click on any image to display options, copy option is available
  • You can then copy and paste the images on your computer.

Method 3: Use Bluetooth Transfer

Bluetooth is another great way to transfer photos from phone to system and vice versa. For this to work, both the system and the phone must be Bluetooth enabled.

To use this method on Windows:

  • Switch on Bluetooth on your device
  • Launch windows app and search for Bluetooth, it will bring out Bluetooth and other devices in the search
  • Click on it and switch on the Bluetooth on the system
  • Go back to your phone and pair the phone to the system
  • On your Android device, long-press the photo you want to send, and select the option of share 
  • When you select share, search for the options to share via Bluetooth
  • Select the system from the options of paired devices on your phone and send
  • On your system, you will see the photos sent in the list of the Bluetooth window.

On Mac OS:

  • Switch on Bluetooth on the device and the Mac system
  • Pair both devices
  • On your Android phone, long-press the photo you want to bring out options
  • Select share and then select Bluetooth from the options
  • Select your Mac Pc from the options of paired devices and then send.

Method 4: Use A Third-party Apps

Different apps have been developed to help in transferring photos from phones to your computer. They come in versions that work on Android, Apple (for your MacBooks), and Windows.

Notable file transfer apps include Xender, AirDroid, SHAREit, Zapya, Send Anywhere, etc. They are readily available on the Google Play Store, just download and follow the instructions for installation and use.

Related Android User-Guides:

Check out how long Chromebooks last here! And check out The 4 BEST Tips You Need To Know About Notifications On iPhone!

Sharing is Caring!
KnowYourMobile
KnowYourMobile
@knowyourmobile.com@www.knowyourmobile.com

Your no bullsh*t guide to tech and tech trends, with a focus on data privacy and the open web

2,340 posts
0 followers

Recommended Creator Tools & Platforms

There’s a million and one creator tools on the market for speeding things up getting more done. Most are overkill. Here’s all the tools and software we use and recommend. None are essential, however, but you might find some useful…

Just starting out? Click the button below to get a free, downloadable list of free creator tools.


  • ConvertKit (Kit)

    If you’re serious about growing and monetizing your audience as a creator, ConvertKit (now Kit) is one of the best email marketing platforms out there. It’s built specifically for creators, not corporate marketers which means everything from automation to product sales is tailored to the way you actually work.

    🔗 Learn More About This Tool



  • Manychat

    Manychat helps you collect emails and SMS opt-ins directly inside Instagram or Facebook, turning engagement into owned audience data

    🔗 Learn More About This Tool



  • Liquid Web

    If you’re a creator or developer building something serious—apps, membership sites, viral shops, or subscriber funnels, Liquid Web is one of the best managed hosting platforms you can use right now. It’s fast, reliable, and comes with next-level support that makes backend headaches a thing of the past.

    🔗 Learn More About This Tool



  • InstaPage

    If you’re an influencer or creator looking to turn your social followers into paying customers or email subscribers, InstaPage is one of the best tools you can use. It’s built specifically for high-conversion landing pages and is packed with features that help you grow faster without needing to touch a line of code.

    🔗 Learn More About This Tool



  • Squarespace

    For creators and influencers, building an online presence can feel overwhelming. Squarespace makes it simple by combining a drag-and-drop website builder, stunning templates, and built-in tools that help you showcase your work and monetize your audience without needing coding skills.

    🔗 Learn More About This Tool



  • SurfShark Antivirus

    Protect your camera, your identity, and your inbox from silent attacks — all in one simple app.

    🔗 Learn More About This Tool



  • Shopify

    If you’re a creator or influencer thinking about launching your own product, brand, or store, Shopify lets you do e-commerce on easy mode. It powers millions of live stores, integrates natively with social platforms, and makes managing sales, customers, and commissions stupid simple — no tech headaches required.

    🔗 Learn More About This Tool



  • Fiverr Pro

    Hiring freelance talent can be expensive and a pain in the butt. Fiverr Pro fixes this by bringing in all of its best talent into one place, so you only get access to the best of the best from its massive, globe-spanning pool of freelancers and experts.

    🔗 Learn More About This Tool



  • Kinsta

    It’s fast, secure, and developer-friendly, supporting Node.js, React, Vue, Vite, Docker, and more. With Git-based deployments, serverless functions, and global edge hosting, you can scale quickly without worrying about infrastructure.

    🔗 Learn More About This Tool



  • SurfShark One

    If you’re a student, a family household, or a digital nomad looking for an all in one digital security platform, SurfShark One puts all the essentials under one roof and prices it just right, saving you money versus buying them all separately. 

    🔗 Learn More About This Tool



  • OxyLabs

    If you’re deep into data, scraping, or running side projects that push past normal browser limits, you’ve probably already outgrown basic VPNs and shared proxies. Oxylabs is where you go when you want serious, reliable firepower with speed, stealth, and stability baked in. It’s not cheap, but if you’re building anything automated, it’s one of…

    🔗 Learn More About This Tool



  • Incogi

    If you’ve ever Googled yourself and found your phone number, email, or home address listed on shady people-finder sites, you’ll understand why this kind of service matters. Incogni automates the entire process of getting your data deleted — and it actually works.

    🔗 Learn More About This Tool



  • SurfShark VPN

    SurfShark VPN

    We test a ton of VPNs here — Surfshark consistently ranks as one of the best for value, features, and overall usability. It’s not just about hiding your IP; this one actually gives you more control over your digital life.

    🔗 Learn More About This Tool