Pixel 3 – How to Move Files to PC

Just because smartphones act a lot like actual computers, it doesn’t mean that you don’t use your PC anymore. For example, think of all the photos and videos that you can take with your phone. If you want to edit them, smartphones offer very few options.

Although the Pixel 3 seems to be a powerhouse in terms of photo and video editing, there are still plenty of instances where you might need something like Photoshop to resize and edit images. It’s not just about editing files but also about saving space.

Direct Transfer

If you have a USB cable, then a direct transfer from your Pixel 3 to your PC is the fastest option.

1. Insert USB Cable
2. Tap USB Notification
3. Tap Transfer Files
4. Switch to the PC
5. Wait for the Transfer Window to Open
6. Drag and Drop Files to Transfer Them
7. Eject Device from Toolbar
8. Unplug the USB

Sometimes this option may not work from the get-go. If the Pixel 2 and Android 8.0 in general are any indication, USB 3.0 cables may sometimes cause problems. If you can’t establish a connection between your devices, check the PC’s settings and ensure that it can detect new hardware when plugged in.

You can also try to update the OS to the newest version. Otherwise, a simple reboot may also work. Press and hold the Power button for around 30 seconds or until the phone restarts.

Checking the quality of the cable or the USB is also important. Test and see if you can connect other devices to your PC through the same USB port or with the same cable to get a sense of what may be causing the interference.

Of course, a USB 2.0 cable has a higher success rate. These days, however, no one likes waiting too much, especially on large file transfers such as recorded videos, music, large high-res photo albums, etc.

Google Drive Transfer

If for some reason you don’t have a USB cable on hand, you can use your Wi-Fi connection to move files from the Pixel 3 to your PC or laptop. Simply upload the files that you want to transfer to your Google Drive. Then you’ll be able to log into your account form your PC, access Google Drive, and download the files to whatever partition you like.

1. Go to Home Screen
2. Select the Google Drive App
3. Tap Add
4. Tap Upload
5. Select the Files That You Want to Upload

Although this method is considerably slower and requires that your phone has an internet connection, it’s still OK as long as you don’t transfer multiple large files at the same time. You can use this if you want to save certain photos and videos for future use but don’t want to keep them on your phone.

It’s also a good way of saving important documents or media files when you’re on vacation. Upload what you want on Google Drive and just download it to your PC when you get back home.

A Final Thought

If you want to keep your phone clean, you may have to start transferring photo albums and large video files to your PC. That way, you can still see them and your phone’s performance won’t suffer from running low on space and memory.