DeviceHowTo
Windows 11⏱ 5 min

How to Transfer Files to Another Device on Windows 11

Move photos, documents, and files wirelessly or via cable to a PC or phone.

Last verified: February 21, 2026

Windows supports more file transfer methods than any other desktop OS — USB cable, Bluetooth, Nearby Share (Wi-Fi Direct to Android), network shares, and all major cloud services. The built-in File Explorer recognises phones connected via USB-MTP and displays them as a drive entry under This PC, making file management as straightforward as moving files between two local folders. For wireless transfers to Android devices, Nearby Share (now also available as an app on Windows) is the fastest no-cable option and doesn't require any account login.

Quick Steps

Follow in order for the fastest result.

  1. 1Connect your phone via USB. On the phone, select File Transfer / Android Auto from the USB prompt. Open File Explorer and navigate to This PC > [your phone].
  2. 2Drag files between the device and the File Explorer / Finder window, or confirm Nearby Share / AirDrop acceptance on the target device.
  3. 3Safely eject the device before unplugging the cable.

Still Not Working?

Try these if the steps above didn't help.

Verify the Fix

Confirm everything is fully working before closing this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to transfer files from a phone to Windows 11?
USB cable with File Transfer (MTP) mode enabled on the phone offers the fastest speeds. Nearby Share (Wi-Fi Direct) is the fastest wireless option for Android to Windows.
Why is my Windows 11 not recognising my phone over USB?
The most common cause is the phone defaulting to Charging Only mode instead of File Transfer when connected. Swipe down on the phone notification bar and tap the USB connection type option, then select File Transfer or MTP. Also try a different cable — many cables are charge-only with no data wires.
Can I transfer files between Windows 11 and iPhone wirelessly?
Yes. Use iCloud Drive (accessible from icloud.com in a browser), or the free app iTunes/Apple Devices for Windows. For photos specifically, Apple's iCloud Photos syncs automatically.
How do I transfer files larger than 1 GB on Windows 11?
For files over 1 GB, USB cable transfer is the most reliable option. Cloud services (Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive) can handle large files but require sufficient storage quota and a fast internet connection for the upload. Wi-Fi Direct methods like AirDrop and Nearby Share handle large files well over local Wi-Fi without using internet data.

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