I saw a comment on the website about a solution to one small problem that arises when exchanging files between a Windows 10 laptop and an Android smartphone, and decided to write a separate article on this topic. There are many options for transferring files from computer to phone and from phone to computer. You can use the same USB cable, cloud, or even Wi-Fi (I talked about this in the article sharing files via a Wi-Fi router between an Android phone and a computer). But for some reason, many people forget about Bluetooth. There are no problems with file transfer on Android smartphones. This method, of course, will not work on iPhone and iPad.
Compared to USB cable and Wi-Fi (FTP, LAN), Bluetooth has one big drawback. This is the baud rate. It will take a very long time to transfer a lot of music, videos, etc. But if you need to quickly transfer some photos, documents, or other small files from your phone to your computer, you can also do this via Bluetooth. Moreover, this method can be used not only on Android phones and tablets, but also on push-button phones.
I tested on Windows 10 and Windows 7 - everything works perfectly. All we need is a phone with Bluetooth (and almost every phone has one) and a laptop or computer with Bluetooth. If it is already built-in in a laptop, then most likely you will have to purchase a USB Bluetooth adapter for the computer. I have already told you how to choose a Bluetooth adapter for your computer.
The driver needs to be installed and working. Usually a blue Bluetooth icon is displayed in the tray. If you have it, everything is fine. If not, it is possible that Bluetooth is not configured on your computer. In this case, the following articles can be useful to you:
- How to enable and configure Bluetooth on a Windows 10 laptop
- Setting up Bluetooth on a computer (PC)
- How to turn on Bluetooth on a laptop
Once configured, you can proceed to transfer files.
Transfer files from laptop or PC to phone in Windows 10
If you plan on frequency sharing between your computer and your phone, then I recommend pairing the devices. To do this, turn on Bluetooth on your phone and make it available to other devices. On your computer, go to "Start" - "Settings" - "Devices" - "Bluetooth & Other Devices" tab. Click on "Add Bluetooth or other device" - "Bluetooth". Our phone will appear in the list. We select it and confirm the connection on the phone and computer. After that, the status "Paired" will appear next to the Teflon.
But this is not necessary, you can immediately proceed to transferring files.
Make sure Bluetooth on your smartphone is turned on and searchable. In Windows 10, select a file or several files and right-click on them. Select "Send" - "Bluetooth device".
Select your phone in the list of available devices and click "Next". Pay attention to the item "Use Authentication". If you have already paired the devices as I showed above, then it will be installed and you cannot turn it off (and it is not necessary). If the smartphone and computer are not paired, then the checkbox next to "Use authentication" can be removed. If you are sure that you have chosen your phone exactly. In order not to send files to someone else's device. If you leave authentication, then you first need to confirm the connection on Android, and only then will the files be accepted.
The files will begin sending.
On the phone, you need to confirm the receipt of files.
When the transfer is complete, a report appears on the computer.
The files are saved in the Bluetooth folder on the phone. It may be a different folder on your Android device.
How to transfer a file from a phone to a computer via Bluetooth?
No more complicated than PC to phone. Before that, it is also advisable to pair the devices, as I showed above. In Windows 10, click on the tray icon and select "Accept File".
Open any wiring on the phone (if there is no normal standard one, I recommend "ES Explorer"). Select any file, or select several files that you want to upload to your computer and select "Share" (Transfer) - "Bluetooth". And select our computer in the list of devices.
Then the computer will start receiving files.
When the files are received, a list of files will appear and the opportunity to select the folder in which they will be saved.
This is how it all works. Nothing complicated. If the transfer rate were still higher, it would be generally excellent. But if you need to transfer several photos, then there is even no point in looking for a cable, connect all this, etc. It's easier to transfer via Bluetooth.
Bluetooth file sharing in Windows 7
Initially, I planned to make the instruction separately for Windows 10 and Windows 7. I even checked everything and took screenshots. But in Windows 7, the process of transferring and receiving files is practically no different from Windows 10. Therefore, it makes no sense to write again about what I wrote about above. All actions are the same. The windows and elements are the same.
In Windows 7, the pairing process is only slightly different. During the transfer of files to the phone, if you leave the checkbox next to "Use authentication", then you need to confirm the pairing on the phone, and in Windows 7 a pop-up message will appear at the bottom, which you need to click and also confirm the connection with the phone via Bluetooth.
This must also be done when receiving files sent from the phone to the computer. But it seems to me that it is easier to make a connection once and in the future it will be possible to simply send and receive files between devices. To do this, click on the Bluetooth icon in the Windows 7 tray, select "Add device" and follow the instructions on the screen.
Write in the comments how you transfer files between your smartphone and computer. Do you use a cable for this, or do you send it by air?
