Android Phone To PC Without USB Cable

[paradroidx]

I have a Samsung S10 mobile phone. When transferring files from the phone to the PC, I still find it easier connecting the USB cable between the 2, and simply using Windows Explorer to copy of paste from the phone (to the PC).

I would like this straight forward interface to be available without the cable - via Wifi (I would probably even settle for slower Bluetooth to get a simple cut/copy & paste operation). The apps I have tried all seem to add extra layers and steps to the process, making the 'plug in a cable' method easier.

For example, I installed Samsung Flow. To get a photo from the phone to the PC, you have to select the photo, share it, select Flow (to share it to), then it transfers to the Flow app on the PC (or you can find the photo in a specially created Flow folder under user/pictures) - where you just have to move it to desired place on PC.

I can connect the cable, and simply copy (or cut) and paste (to the PC) in less time.

I am sure I am missing something - someone please put me out of my misery.

 

[Dannydet]

There are tons of file managers in the play store that can do this.

 

[paradroidx]

I believe you, but please mention 1 or 2 freeware apps. If they fit the bill, I will declare you an Android hero.

 

[Dannydet]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.solidexplorer2 this is the one I have used for years and works great over wifi... No cable needed.

 

[Dannydet]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lonelycatgames.Xplore

 

[Dannydet]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander

 

[puppykickr]

NitroShare (Cross-platform network file transfer) - https://f-droid.org/packages/net.nitroshare.android

https://en.freedownloadmanager.org/Windows-PC/NitroShare-FREE.html

 

[paradroidx]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.solidexplorer2 this is the one I have used for years and works great over wifi... No cable needed.

So I have installed this on the phone. Nice explorer like interface on the phone end. It installed very simply, but how do I view the phone from the PC?

 

[Dannydet]

It only works on the android side, you transfer directly to your pc folder.

 

[Dannydet]

Technically you copy and paste your file to the pc. Once copied you can then delete the file from your phone

 

[paradroidx]

Technically you copy and paste your file to the pc. Once copied you can then delete the file from your phone

OK, perhaps what I am looking for really does not exist then. I want it to be similar to connecting the phone via USB cable. Be able to use Windows explorer to gain access to the root directory of the phone, and be able to browse (mainly to the photos section).

Goto "\Phone\DCIM\Camera" select a photo or photos. Copy or cut, and then simply paste onto the PC. Same as if I had the cable connected.

 

[Dannydet]

Just install the Google photos app on your phone, using your Gmail account. It will backup all of your photos automatically.
Login to your Gmail account on your computer, go to photos.google.com on a browser and there is all your photos. No cable needed

 

[mikedt]

OK, perhaps what I am looking for really does not exist then. I want it to be similar to connecting the phone via USB cable. Be able to use Windows explorer to gain access to the root directory of the phone, and be able to browse (mainly to the photos section).

Goto "\Phone\DCIM\Camera" select a photo or photos. Copy or cut, and then simply paste onto the PC. Same as if I had the cable connected.

I don't know the S10, but unless it's got some form of wireless remote access built in, e.g. FTP, you're going to have to install a third-party app, and open it when you want your Windows Explorer to connect. Does Windows have FTP support built-in?

I can do this with my Huawei as it has FTP built in, and I can connect immediately with WiFi using Finder on my Mac.

 

[puppykickr]

OK, perhaps what I am looking for really does not exist then. I want it to be similar to connecting the phone via USB cable. Be able to use Windows explorer to gain access to the root directory of the phone, and be able to browse (mainly to the photos section).

Goto "\Phone\DCIM\Camera" select a photo or photos. Copy or cut, and then simply paste onto the PC. Same as if I had the cable connected.

Isn't this basically the same effort as opening your gallery or file manager, selecting the desired file, sharing them with the app, then designating the destination?

 

[MoodyBlues]

You might want to take a look at Airdroid. As long as your phone and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network, you can use it the way you want. It lets you view your phone from a web browser on your computer; you can transfer files in both directions.

But for heavy-duty file management, using an Android file manager is much easier and more powerful. I see that several have been suggested, and they're all good, but my personal favorite is MiXplorer Silver. I use it day in and day out to manage files on my Linux network, transfer files from and to my Android devices and computers, as well as do file management tasks.

For example, I use it to mass rename hundreds of files on my PCs; its features include things like replacing one character string with another. So say there are 500 files on an external drive named:
DCP_XXXX_four_PeacockChicks.JPG

and I want all of them renamed:
dcp_XXXX_4_female_peachicks_052716.jpg

it takes about 5 seconds to accomplish that.