Transfer over a USB cable (Windows)
Photo Transfer for Windows can connect to your phone with a USB cable instead of WiFi. It's useful when there's no shared WiFi network, or when the network blocks devices from finding each other. USB works on the free plan too; without PRO, the usual limit of 5 items per batch applies.
USB is available in the Windows app. The Mac app connects over WiFi.
Before you begin
- Photo Transfer for Windows 5.7 or later.
- The latest Photo Transfer App on your phone: 10.5 or later on iPhone or iPad, 10.4 or later on Android.
- A USB cable that carries data, not a charge-only cable.
iPhone or iPad
- On your PC, install Apple Devices from the Microsoft Store. It's free and includes Apple's USB driver, which Photo Transfer uses to reach your iPhone. You only need to do this once.
- Connect your iPhone or iPad to the PC with the cable. Unlock it, and tap Trust or Allow if asked.
- Open Photo Transfer App on the iPhone or iPad and keep it open.
- In Photo Transfer for Windows, click Find Devices. Your iPhone or iPad appears, marked as USB.
If the iPhone app warns that there's no WiFi, you can ignore it while the cable is connected.
Android
- Connect your phone to the PC with the cable.
- On the phone, turn on USB tethering. Open Settings and search for "USB tethering" — the menu name varies by phone.
- Open Photo Transfer App on the phone and keep it open.
- In Photo Transfer for Windows, click Find Devices. Your phone appears, marked as USB.
USB tethering can also share your phone's mobile data with the PC, so carrier charges or restrictions may apply. USB tethering support depends on your phone and computer.
If your phone doesn't appear
- Click Manual Entry → Advanced options → Search via USB. If you changed the HTTP port in the phone app's settings, enter it there (the default is 8080).
- iPhone or iPad: check that Apple Devices is installed and open, then reconnect the cable. Unlock the phone and answer any Trust or accessory prompts.
- Android: check that USB tethering is on and that Windows shows a new network connection for the phone.
- Keep Photo Transfer App open on the phone during the whole transfer.
If you unplug the cable during a transfer, the transfer stops. Reconnect, then use Retry all failed to finish the remaining items.