If I were helping you set this up, I’d start with the Windows app and make sure both devices can see each other. Then, I’d send one small file as a test. Once everything works, you can easily transfer files between Android and Windows, including photos, videos, and documents, in either direction without plugging in a cable.
Before you start
You’ll need:
– An Android phone with Android 6.0 or later.
– A Windows PC with 64-bit Windows 10 or later. ARM-based PCs need Windows 11 or later.
– Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on for both devices. Google says they should be on the same network and within about 5 meters of each other.
If you have a Samsung PC, install Samsung’s Quick Share app from the Microsoft Store. On other PCs, get Google’s [Quick Share for Windows]( https://www.android.com/quick-share/with-windows-pc/ ) from the official Android page.
1. Set up Quick Share on your PC
1. Install and open Quick Share for Windows. Don’t run it as administrator; Google says to open it with a regular Windows account.
2. Sign in to your Google Account to access all sharing options.
3. Choose a name for your PC under Visible to others as.
4. Open Settings > Device visibility and choose who can send files to your PC.
For sharing between your own devices, Your devices is the most private option when both are signed in to the same Google Account. If that doesn’t fit your setup, choose Contacts or temporarily use Everyone while you transfer. Set visibility back to your preferred option afterward.
2. Send a file from your phone to your PC
1. On your phone, open the photo, video, or file you want to send.
2. Tap Share > Quick Share. On some phones, Quick Share may appear directly in the share menu.
3. Select your PC from the list.
4. If the PC asks you to accept, check the request and choose Accept. If you see a PIN on both screens, make sure they match.
5. Find the received file in your PC’s Downloads\Quick Share folder.
If your PC is not listed, leave Quick Share open on the computer and check its visibility setting. The computer needs to be discoverable for the direction you’re sending.
3. Send a file from your PC to your phone
1. Open Quick Share on your PC.
2. Drag a file into the app window, or choose the file from the app.
3. Select your phone. If you get a PIN, compare it with the one shown on your phone.
4. On your phone, review the request and tap Accept.
The phone may need to be unlocked and visible to nearby devices. When both devices use the same Google Account, Google says the receiving device can accept the transfer automatically.
If the devices can’t find each other
Try these in order:
1. Check visibility on the receiving device. On Windows, open Quick Share settings and check Device visibility. On Android, open Quick Share and make the phone available to receive.
2. Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices. Connect them to the same Wi-Fi network and bring them closer together.
3. Keep Quick Share open on the PC while you try again. On Windows, make sure the app is not running as administrator.
4. Check the network. Some office, school, or public Wi-Fi networks block devices from finding each other. If you trust the devices and your mobile plan allows it, Google’s troubleshooting steps suggest using your phone’s hotspot and connecting the PC to it.
5. Restart the connection.** Close and reopen Quick Share on the PC. If needed, toggle Airplane mode on and off on the phone, then try again.
If it sends one way but not the other
That usually means the receiving device is not visible for that direction, or its request is not appearing. Check the receiving device’s visibility again. On Windows, also check that notifications are enabled for Quick Share and that Focus Assist or Do Not Disturb is not hiding the request.
If the transfer is slow or fails
Keep the devices close, confirm Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on, and try a smaller file. If you’re on a managed network—such as work or school Wi-Fi—try a trusted home network instead. Both devices need to stay nearby while the transfer completes.
Quick Share is for nearby transfers. If it isn’t available on your PC or the network keeps getting in the way, a USB cable is a simple fallback. Phone Link is a separate Windows feature; you don’t need it to use Quick Share.
I’d test with one photo first. Once it arrives in the right folder, you’ll know the setup is working before you send a larger batch.
