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Try the best solution for transfer files on Mac

How to Transfer files from Android to Chromebook

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Laptops running on Chrome OS are quite popular: they are compact, optimized for Google apps and boast long battery life. Moving files to Chromebook is also quite easy when it comes to Android file transfer. You can use USB, third-party apps, etc. Keep reading to know how to transfer files from Android to Chromebook.


Table of contents:

  1. Best 3 ways for transfer files from Android to Chromebook
  2. Transfer Android files on Mac and PC

Best 3 ways for transfer files from Android to Chromebook


Today it's hard to imagine workflows without two gadgets: a smartphone and a laptop. Therefore, it is important for many that transferring files between devices is easy and not time-consuming. If you own a Chromebook and Android phone, there are several ways available for exchanging files. You can use a USB cable or perform a wireless transfer with the help of third-party apps and cloud storages.

Here are the detailed guides for file transfer Android to Chromebook you can try.

Transfer files with a USB cable


Chromebook supports USB file transfer and the process is similar to transferring files to Mac and Windows, you don't need a lot of effort to figure it out. So, if you are looking for an answer to “How to transfer file Android phone to Chromebook”, here is a brief step-by-step guide:

This method is universal and works with almost every Android model.

1 blank
Unlock your phone and plug it in the Chromebook with a USB cable.
2 blank
As soon as you receive the “Charging device via USB” notification, click on it and select “File Transfer” under “Use USB for”.
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The File app will open on your Chromebook. Now you can start using it to drag files you need.
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When you're done, don’t forget to unplug the USB cable.

File transfer cable Android to Chromebook is quite reliable, but the process itself is not very fast. If you are looking for a high transfer speed or advanced features, consider other methods.

icon pros Pros:

  • Straightforward process
  • Reliable way to transfer files.

icon cons Cons:

  • The transferring process is a bit slow.

Android file transfer with SnapDrop


There are different third-party applications that enable Chromebook Android file transfer. One of them is SnapDrop - an open-source P2P file transfer service that allows exchanging files between two devices of any operating system. SnapDrop is a Progressive Web App, which means it can be accessed online. So, you can transfer files just by opening the web app in the browser.

If you are an iPhone owner, you will definitely notice that SnapDrop is similar to AirDrop. To transfer files, you just need to open SnapDrop on both devices. Note, your devices should be connected to the same network.

The application works very simply and it will take you a little time to understand it.

icon pros Pros:

  • Easy-to-understand web app
  • You don’t need to install anything.

icon cons Cons:

  • Internet connection is required.

Google Drive solutions for files transfer


Another great way to transfer files between your devices is cloud services. Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud storages and web applications for creating documents, spreadsheets, etc. You can access the files from any device at any time, making it much easier to transfer files from one device to another. Simply upload files from your Chromebook or phone to Google Drive and get access to those files anytime from any device.

icon pros Pros:

  • Wireless file transfer
  • Is compatible with any operating system
  • To transfer files from one device to another, a second device is optional.

icon cons Cons:

  • To use it, your devices should be connected to the internet
  • Users are limited to the 15GB free storage, for the additional amount you need purchase the Google One subscription
  • It may take a long time to upload big files.

Transfer Android files on Mac and PC


Transfer files with MacDroid on Mac

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Requirements: macOS 10.15. 19.47MB free space. Version 2.0.211. (23 May, 2024). 4.7 Rank based on 556+ users, Reviews(439)
Category: Utilities

If you use macOS devices and search for a file sync Mac app that can easily move your photos from Android to Mac, don’t look further. MacDroid is a macOS app that provides the easiest way to exchange your photos, videos, and entire folders between these two devices.

Best solution for Android file transfer to Mac.

With MacDroid, you can also transfer your favorite music and enjoy it anytime anywhere. On top of that, the app lets you edit Android files directly on Mac without transferring them.

To transfer files using MacDroid, follow these steps:

1
First, download MacDroid on your Mac. Then install the app following the prompts.
2
Connect your Android to Mac using a USB cable. Open MacDroid on your computer and navigate the “devices” in its main menu.
3
Select one of the available connection modes - ADB or MTP. And follow the steps so that the computer can access Android data.
4
And that’s it! Now your device is connected to Mac - go to the Finder and start transferring files.

icon pros Pros:

  • There are Single- and Multi-Operation Mode
  • Allows editing Android files on Mac without having transferred them to the computer
  • Compatible with all MTP and Android devices
  • Efficient and fast file transfer.

icon cons Cons:

  • Not compatible with Windows
  • The free version only supports file transfer from Android to Mac.

Move files from Android on PC


To exchange files between Android and PC, you can use a USB cable or your Google account:

Move files with a USB cable

1
Plug in your phone to your computer with a USB cable.
 Please note that your phone is unlocked.
2
On your phone, the "Charging this device via USB" notification will open, tap on it.
3
Choose “File Transfer” under "Use USB for".
4
A file transfer window will open on your computer. Use it to drag files.

Move files using Google account

1
To upload files, just go to the Google Drive mobile app on your phone and drag and drop everything you want to transfer. Then you just have to download the uploaded files on your computer.
2
If you want your favorite songs to be on all your devices, you can use YouTube Music.
3
Google Photos allows storing and sharing photos. It is compatible with Android and iOS devices and also provides automatic backup and sync.

As you can see, there are many ways to transfer files from Android to Chromebook. Like Mac and Windows, Chromebooks support USB file transfer, which is considered a more reliable way.

Those who prefer to exchange files wirelessly can use Google Drive and simply upload files to disk on the phone, and then, if necessary, upload them to the computer and vice versa. Another great option is third-party apps that support Android Chromebook file transfer, some of them even eliminate the need for USB cables. And what kind of file transfer do you prefer?

FAQs concerning transfer files from Android to Chromebook

If you use Chromebook and need to connect Android to it, first navigate to the “Settings”. You can find it either in the app launcher or click on the clock in the bottom right corner. Under “Connected devices” click the Setup button. Choose the device you want to connect and enter your Google account password. Once the devices are connected, you will receive a notification both on your phone and Chromebook. To transfer files from Android to PC or Chromebook you can use USB file transfer.

Yes, you can transfer any file from your Android phone to Chromebook or vice versa using cloud services like Google Drive. Just go to the Google Drive app on your smartphone and upload the required file. You will then be able to access the file through Google Drive on your Chromebook. Another way to transfer apps is dedicated apps and USB cable transfer. Sometimes you may find Android file transfer not working. The common reasons for this issue are incorrectly connected devices or not updated software and drivers.
There are several methods you can use to move files to a new Chromebook. You can simply upload any files to Google Drive or transfer files using USB and third-party apps. There are also applications designed for macOS that make it easy to transfer photos and music from Mac to Android and vice versa.
To transfer photos from phone to Chromebook, you can copy them to your Google Drive and then access your photos from another device, by just logging into Google Drive. Chromebooks have a USB port, so it is possible to connect devices using a USB cable and transfer photos this way. If you use a Mac, you will need a dedicated Android file transfer app like MacDroid. It is the best way to transfer photos from Android to Mac.