How to Easily Transfer Files Between Android Devices

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methods

1Using Bluetooth

2Using NFC

3Using an Email or Messaging App

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Article Summary

This How.com.vn teaches you the quickest and easiest ways to transfer files between two Androids. If the Androids are within a few feet from one another, you'll probably want to use Bluetooth or NFC to make the transfer. If there's a little more distance between Androids, you can attach files to email and direct messages in various apps.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Bluetooth

1. 
   1
   Open the Settings

   

   app on both Androids. A quick way to do this is to pull down the notification bar from the top of the screen and tap the gear icon.
2. 
   2
   Scroll down and tap Connections or Connected Devices. The name of this menu (and others) varies by model.
3. 
   3
   Slide the Bluetooth switch to the On

   

   position. If Bluetooth was already enabled you can skip this step.
4. 
   4
   Tap Pair new device. This will start searching for Bluetooth devices in range and display them on the screen.

   • If you don't see this option, try just scrolling down a little—some Androids will immediately display nearby devices without you haven't to tap anything.
   • If you don't see the right device, tap the three-dot menu at the top-right corner and select Refresh.
   • The Androids should be within 20-30 feet of one another for best results.
5. 
   5
   Select the appropriate device on both Androids. This pairs the Androids together.
6. 
   6
   Open the File Manager app on the Android with the files. This app is usually called something like My Files, Explorer, or File Manager.
7. 
   7
   Navigate to the folder with the file you want to send. This displays all files in the selected folder.

   • If you want to send a photo, try the folder called DCIM.
8. 
   8
   Select the file(s) you want to send. If you want to send multiple files, you'll usually have to tap the menu at the top and choose Select before tapping.
9. 
   9
   Tap the

   

   Share icon. It's the icon containing an angle with dots at each line's end. This opens your sharing menu.
10. 
    10
    Tap Bluetooth. You may have to scroll down to find it. Once selected, you should see the name of the paired Android on the screen.
11. 
    11
    Select the other Android. This displays a transfer request notification on the other Android.
12. 
    12
    Tap Accept on the receiving Android. Once the transfer request is accepted, the files will be transferred wirelessly between the two Androids.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using NFC

1. 
   1
   Enable NFC on both Androids. NFC (Near Field Communication) allows you to easily transfer files between two Androids, as long as both Androids support NFC. Here's how to enable it:

   • Open the Settings app by tapping the gear icon labeled Settings in the app drawer.
   • Scroll down and tap Connections or Connected devices.
   • Tap Connection preferences.
   • If you see "NFC" here, enable it on both Androids now. If you don't see NFC, you'll need to use another method.
   • Enable "Android Beam" on both Androids.
2. 
   2
   Open the file you want to send. You'll want the file to be displayed on the screen now that NFC is enabled. The receiving Android should be unlocked in an active state (at the home screen is fine).
3. 
   3
   Place the two Androids back-to-back. After a moment or so, you'll either hear a tone or feel haptic feedback from one or both Androids. This indicates that the Androids have detected one another.
4. 
   4
   Tap Touch to beam on the sending Android. It's at the top of the screen. The file will now transfer to the other Android.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using an Email or Messaging App

1. 
   1
   Open your email or messaging app. If the file you want to send is only a few MB or less, you can quickly attach it to an email message or private message in your favorite messaging app.

   • Some messaging apps that support file attachments are WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. As long as both Android users have accounts on either service and are able to send each other messages, you can use the app to transfer files.
   • If the file you want to send is really big, see How to Share Large Files Google Drive.
2. 
   2
   Create a new message. If you're using email, you can usually do this by tapping a plus + icon, New, Compose, or a pencil and note icon. If you're using a messaging app, open a conversation with the other user.
3. 
   3
   Enter the recipient's email address. If you're sending via email, use an address that can be easily accessed on the other Android, such as the Gmail address associated with that phone or tablet.
4. 
   4
   Tap the paperclip icon. This is the universal icon for attaching files. You'll usually find it at the top or bottom of a new message.
5. 
   5
   Select the file(s) you want to attach. You can attach more than one file if you wish. If the files are more than a few megabytes, it's best to break them up and attach them to multiple messages.
6. 
   6
   Tap the Send button. It may look like a paper airplane, an arrow, or just the word Send.
7. 
   7
   Open the message on the receiving Android. The message should display the attached filename(s) and likely a thumbnail.
8. 
   8
   Tap the file to download it. You may be prompted to choose a saving location or whether you'd like to open it in a specific app. Just follow the on-screen instructions to do whatever you wish with the file.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  How can I transfer progress data from an old Android device to a new Android device?

  

  CJ

  Community Answer

  Do you have Android Zap? You can do it that way. Just download the app on both devices to do it.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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