How to Easily Share Files Between Smartphones and Computers (PC / Mac)

A few years ago, one used to save most of the data on their computer, as smartphones didn’t exist, or they weren’t smart enough just yet. These days, we have so many ways or saving files, that it’s almost impossible not to have a few files here and a few more there.

When this happens, it is important to know how we can synchronize the data we have on our smartphones with the one on our laptops. You may already be familiar with one or two of the ways to share files between a phone and a computer, but you might not know them all.
This article will take you through the easiest ways to share some of your favorite files from your smartphone with your computer and vice-versa. Using a cable is the old-style method, but we have 7 more to share with you, so let’s get started!

Connect via USB cable

As mentioned before, the most direct and probably easiest way to transfer your data to the computer is via the USB cable. Most smartphone we buy are equipped with a cable that is compatible to all computers and laptops.
All you need to do is connect the smartphone to the computer by placing the cable into the USB slot. The computer will automatically detect your device, and a window will probably pop up asking what you’d like to do. You will then be able to choose “Transfer files” directly from this tab.
Depending on the smartphone you have, you may also have an app that makes this kind of transfer easier. It could be BlackBerry Desktop Manager in case you own a BlackBerry phone or iTunes if you have an iPhone. By connecting the device to your laptop and then opening the app you normally use, you will be guided through synchronizing the files you need. Similarly, you can also copy files from the computer to the phone using the same steps as mentioned before.

Use Wi-Fi or your mobile data

Turning your data on or using the Wi-Fi you have at home, you can transfer files to everyone. So why not transfer them to your own computer?
Another simple way of sharing the files, especially in the case of a few small documents that are easy to copy, is to use the Wi-Fi to send an email. You can also make the transfer over social media networks. You simply attach the desired files and send them to your own email address or account on a different website. When you will then check your email using the computer, you will be able to save the documents.

Via Bluetooth

Some computers are just as smart as our phones – they also support Bluetooth. A good example is a Windows 7/8 computer that can easily connect with Android or iOS phone via Bluetooth. All you need to do is switch it on and get going. Once you switch Bluetooth on both your phone and your laptop, you can select the device you’d like to send a file to. This is done by checking the devices that your phone has found. You will then be able to select the file or files you want to share and click send via Bluetooth.
Similarly, you can identify your phone on your computer, select the desired files, and then send them to your phone. All the steps you need to follow are identical in both cases. The only downside will be the sending time – it’s typically a method to use for small files.

Use a Memory Card Reader

Many smartphones these days (not iPhones!) have a slot for memory card, or at worst, will support USB On-The-Go. All you need to do is to insert the card into your phone first and save the files you want to share. Once you’re done transferring everything, you simply unplug the reader and plug it into the computer.
This one will be detected on your laptop or desktop the same as any other connected device is detected. You will be prompted by a pop-up window that will ask you what you want to do with the information you now have access to. You could simply open the folder and select what you wish to copy.
In case you’re looking to transfer documents from the computer to the smartphone, the same can be done in reverse. You will need to insert the card reader into the laptop or desktop computer first, save the documents, and then connect it to the smartphone.

Cloud Storage does it too

Using clouds to store information has become increasingly popular, and many people use it in order to share files across various devices. You can use this with desktops, laptops, tablets, servers, mobile devices and many others.
Dropbox is a good and well-known example of a cloud, but you can also use Google Drive or SkyDrive. All of them provide users with free space that is usually large enough to save big amounts of data. Once the data has been saved on the cloud, you can simply go onto the same account using your computer and save it. To make things easier, you can also send yourself a link to the exact files on the cloud.
This way of doing it is perfect for bigger documents that cannot be easily transferred otherwise. It works wonders with the tons of pictures you have to save from your latest trip or big files you need for work purposes.

Why not use an app?

If the Wi-Fi option sounded intriguing, here’s some more good news – there are also many apps that make this kind of transfer a lot easier. Developers came up with applications such as Wi-Fi File Transfer that let you access all of your files on the internal memory of the phone. All you need to do is type a certain URL into your browser – this one is automatically created by the tool.
Lenovo’s Share It app is something I’d recommend wholeheartedly. You can share any file of any size wirelessly without having to use internet connection – be it from your android phone or iPhone or Windows Phone to any Windows PC. Mac isn’t supported yet though.
Wi-Fi File Explorer Pro is another similar app that has been specifically designed for Android smartphones. You simply have to connect both the phone and the computer to the same internet network, and then enter the URL given by the tool into a browser on your computer.

Use a QR Code

This solution is specifically good when you’re trying to transfer files from your computer to your smartphone. If you’re more of a sophisticated person, and you are familiar with creating QR codes, this might also be an option. It may sound complicated to those who didn’t try it before, but it’s as easy as we promised it will be.
All you need to do is find a QR code creator on the internet – there are various websites where you can do this for free. You can put anything into a QR code form – you can use it for pictures, text, videos or a link to a specific website.If you don’t already have a reader app, you can look for one and download it. This one will let you scan the QR code, and then the files will be automatically revealed. Does it still seem difficult for you to send data to your phone?

Synchronize files with WiFi Sync

Depending on the kind of phone you have, you should be able to automatically sync all files using your smartphone’s settings. It is true that in this case, you won’t be able to choose specific documents to be sharing, but all data will be transferred.
For example, your iPhone will have such an option included within the Settings Menu. Go to the Home Screen and look for the Settings icon, click on the iTunes Wi-Fi Sync tab, and then click on Sync Now. The procedure will take a couple of minutes, depending on how much data you have to synchronize.