How do I transfer photos from Android to PC wirelessly?

Use Quick Share for Windows, Phone Link, Google Photos, or open uploadqr.com/transfer on the PC and scan its code with the phone.

Why can't I see my photos when I connect my Android phone?

The phone is probably set to Charging only. Unlock it, tap the USB notification and choose File transfer.

Does Google Photos download the original quality?

Only if the photos were backed up in Original quality. Photos backed up in Storage saver are compressed.

How to transfer photos from Android to PC

Android phones give you more ways to move photos to a PC than an iPhone does. A cable is the fastest for everything, Google Photos and Phone Link keep things in sync, and a QR code works on any computer without setup.

1. With a USB cable

Connect the phone to the PC and unlock it. Pull down the notification shade, tap the USB notification and choose File transfer (some phones call it Transferring files or MTP).

Open File Explorer, then This PC, then your phone, then Internal storage, DCIM and Camera. Copy the photos to a folder on the PC. This is the quickest way to move a whole camera roll.

2. With Phone Link

Microsoft's Phone Link app on Windows pairs with the Link to Windows app on Android. Once linked, your recent photos show up in Phone Link on the PC, and you can drag them into a folder. It's handy for the occasional photo, but it isn't built for copying a whole library.

3. With Quick Share

Google's Quick Share app for Windows lets nearby Android phones send files to the PC over wifi or Bluetooth. Install it on the PC, then share photos from the phone and pick the PC. Both devices need to be close to each other.

4. With Google Photos

If the phone backs up to Google Photos, open photos.google.com on the PC, select the photos and download them. For the whole library, Google Takeout exports everything as zip files. Photos backed up in Storage saver quality are not the full originals.

5. Wirelessly, with a QR code

Open uploadqr.com/transfer on the PC, scan the code with the phone's camera, tap the link and pick your photos and videos. They appear on the PC in full quality within seconds. Nothing to install on either device, and it works on any computer with a browser, including someone else's.

If the phone doesn't show up on the PC

Make sure the phone is unlocked and set to File transfer, not Charging only, in the USB notification. Try another cable: some cheap cables only charge. Try a USB port on the PC itself rather than a hub, and restart both devices if it still doesn't appear.

Send photos to your computer now

Open the transfer page on your computer and scan its code with your phone. Free, no app.

Open the transfer page

Questions

How do I transfer photos from Android to PC wirelessly?: Use Quick Share for Windows, Phone Link, Google Photos, or open uploadqr.com/transfer on the PC and scan its code with the phone.
Why can't I see my photos when I connect my Android phone?: The phone is probably set to Charging only. Unlock it, tap the USB notification and choose File transfer.
Does Google Photos download the original quality?: Only if the photos were backed up in Original quality. Photos backed up in Storage saver are compressed.