There are many ways to transfer files between devices. You can use a cable, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or an Internet connection. Let’s find out how you can transfer files between your smartphone and computer, bypassing such an archaic method as USB connection.you no longer need to look for a cable, install drivers, and wait for Windows to detect an unfamiliar device, that is the process gets as simple as winning at the National casino.
With the development of messengers and cloud technologies, we have practically stopped using “offline” storage devices, external hard disks, flash drives and, especially, CDs. All because now you can transfer data instantly over any distance or even to yourself, for example, to download some file to your smartphone.
And not all modern devices have the ability to quickly upload or download files over the wire, for example, iPhones and iPads don’t easily connect to a computer as a storage device, and cannot boast of fast data transfer speeds, as they still work on the slow protocol USB 2.0.
Sending by Email
- Pros: you can transfer a file from almost any device, even to an old smartphone or PC.
- Cons: this way isn’t always fast; there is a weight limit of 25 MB for all attachments.
The oldest but still popular way of sending files is by mail. With the help of email, you can transfer any data, the weight of which does not exceed the maximum allowable limit of the used mail service. Usually servers “digest” up to 25 MB. This is enough to send office documents, scans in PDF or 2-3 photos taken with a modern smartphone camera.
Recently, this method is used mainly in corporate environments, where it’s forbidden to install cloud disks, messengers and other programs on the computer, as well as to insert flash drives and other media with unknown information on board.
Via Cloud Storage
- Pros: any type of data is supported.
- Minuses: free space is limited, and you will have to pay for additional space.
Another convenient way to share files is the cloud. There are no size limits here, so you can upload both small files weighing a few kilobytes and heavy images weighing 100 GB or more. You can upload and download data on both smartphones and computers. Cloud storage can be used to send files to yourself and to transfer data to users on the Internet. To do this, just form a link and send it to the recipient.
But there are a couple of nuances. First, you will need a powerful internet connection to quickly upload heavy files to the cloud. However, this problem applies to any method involving sending heavy files. Secondly, cloud disks aren’t free. Usually services provide only a small amount of free space for free.
Using AirDrop
- Pros: high transmission speed; no need to configure anything.
- Cons: not always stable connection; works only within the Apple ecosystem.
With the transfer of files between Apple devices things are much simpler. Here, you do not need a cable or the Internet. It’s enough to turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and allow the reception and transfer of files from contacts or strangers. This method is called AirDrop, Apple’s proprietary technology that is used to send data directly over Wi-Fi without connecting to a router. It’s the easiest and safest way, though not without nuances.
Firstly, AirDrop can only be used to transfer files between branded smartphones and computers; you can’t upload photos and videos to an Android or Windows computer in this way. Also, the technology implies the work of the transmitting and receiving devices in close proximity, usually no more than 10 meters from each other.
If the condition is violated, the connection will be unstable and will break. This happens quite often and even at closer distances.
“Quick Send” on Android
- Pros: native functionality that should work without additional customizations.
- Cons: works stably only at a close distance.
Unlike the iPhone, you can transfer data between two Android smartphones via Bluetooth without problems. It will be slow, because the bandwidth of this type of wireless communication is low by modern standards. So, it’s better to use the “Quick Send” feature, which is a copy of Apple’s AirDrop.
To send a file to another smartphone, you need to turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, then press the “Share” button on the desired file and select “Quick Send” in the menu that opens. This way you can send files both to your devices authorized under the same Google account, and to contacts and even strangers.