Sometimes it becomes necessary to transfer files from computer to Android and vice versa. Most of my not very tech-savvy friends use a USB cable or Bluetooth for this..
But the wire method is rather cumbersome and inconvenient, and the transmission speed over Bluetooth is poor. We have a WiFi network almost everywhere, so let's consider the option of exchanging files between a computer and a phone wirelessly.
AirDroid
AirDroid is the most popular application that allows you to exchange files between your Android smartphone or tablet with your computer. Its advantage is that it gives you full remote access to your smartphone. For example, you took a screenshot or received a notification - all of this will be immediately displayed on your computer. There is a version for Windows, Mac OS and Linux..
To do this, just install AirDroid on your mobile device and enter the resulting IP address into any browser on your PC. If you transfer files very often, we recommend that you additionally install a program on Windows that will automatically start when you turn on your computer. This saves you the trouble of typing the IP address into your browser window every time.
AirDroid is free. There are no advertisements in it, although sometimes you will be encouraged to install other sponsored apps. If you want, you can upgrade to the paid premium version. You will be entitled to unlimited file transfers over the local area network and several additional features such as remote camera control..
Pushbullet
Pushbullet is popular with sysadmins and regular users, and this is not surprising. This is a very simple application that connects your smartphone and computer. Once you start using it, you will not understand how you used to work without it.
To send a file to your phone, you just need to drag it into the desktop program, which will be located in the Windows system tray. It will immediately download to your phone and appear in the notification bar. If you need to send from your mobile to your computer, then select the desired file, click the "Share" button and select Pushbullet from the menu.
Filezilla
FileZilla is one of the oldest FTP client / server programs. If you have no idea what this is, then it is better to look for other options. However, if you are not intimidated by a few networking terms and the command line, then be sure to give FileZilla a try.
All you need to do is start an FTP server on Android using FileZilla. The app will show you the IP address and other information required to log into the server. After that, you need to start the Windows command line and connect to the newly created FTP server. The put and get commands are used to upload and download files (no size limit). Unfortunately, there is no SFTP support.
Resilio Sync
Resilio Sync , formerly called BitTorrent Sync, is the easiest way to share files. Unlike the options mentioned above, Resilio Sync works on the peer-to-peer architecture that is used in torrent trackers. This means that data is transferred directly, without the involvement of third-party servers or cloud storage.
Once you install the app on your phone and computer, select the file you want to transfer - the app will generate a link and a QR code. Now all that remains is to enter this link into the browser or scan the QR code. As soon as you do this, the download will begin.
Resilio also offers a ton of other features, including folder sync, including encrypted cloud storage . In this way, you can easily transfer the contents of entire folders from your computer to Android and vice versa.
However, in the free version, the transfer is limited to only between two devices. If there are more gadgets, you will have to buy the paid version, which costs $ 60.
Portal
Appendix Portal also operates on P2P protocol. It was developed by the same team that created PushBullet. But unlike the latter, Portal has no file size limit.
After installing the application on Android, go to portal.pushbullet.com from your PC and authorize using the QR code. Now you can simply drag the files you want to the web browser window.
Everything seems to be good. However, there are still some drawbacks. For example, you can send files from PC to Android, but the reverse operation cannot be performed. And even though Portal works over the P2P protocol, it does not support mobile networks.
WiFi File Transfer
In WiFi File Transfer, just like in AirDroid, the transfer takes place using a web interface, through which you can access all files without restrictions. You can perform any actions with them: rename, delete, archive, download several files at the same time, download entire catalogs, view photos.
Unfortunately, the free version cannot download files larger than 5 MB. However, this is the only limitation. To remove it, you need to buy a paid version for 100 rubles. The disadvantages include a somewhat outdated design.
SHAREit
SHAREit, in addition to standard functions, can move installed programs. This is very useful when you need to save them on another device or share with friends. To open files from Android on your computer, you need to install the Remote Desktop client. But you won't be able to access the system files.
Xender
Xender is similar in functionality to Shareit, but it has a significant difference. It can use both the web interface and the desktop version for Windows. You can transfer any type of file: documents, music, photos, videos and applications. You can create groups of up to 4 devices and transfer files to all four at the same time.
All you need to do to activate the web interface is to click on the "Receive data" button and then select the "Connect to PC" option. The application will show the IP address that you need to open in the browser and confirm the connection on the phone. Xender is free to use, but you'll have to be distracted by advertisements for that.
SyncThing
Although SyncThing uses Block Exchange (BEEP) rather than P2P, its functionality is almost identical to Resilio. However, it has a big drawback - the lack of support for live transmission. You first need to fully configure the remote device and then copy the file to the shared folder. And only after that, the synchronization of the contents of the folder from Windows to Android or vice versa will begin. But maybe it will suit someone.
Recall
Recall is a free Android app that creates a server on your phone to communicate wirelessly with your PC. To transfer the files you want, you just need to scan the QR code - nothing needs to be installed on your PC. There are no restrictions on transfer, including the size of the transferred files.
With Recall, you don't even need to create an account, and it has no ads. Exchange is possible between the phone and any PC connected to the Internet, the transfer is peer-to-peer without any intermediaries.
After installation, the application will automatically generate a list of files and folders on the device that you can share. Select the desired one, click the Share button and the application will generate a peer-to-peer link. Open it on any PC and download it - it's simple.
If you do not want to work with links, you can connect your phone and PC - open the menu in the upper right and select the web-share function. Next, scan the QR code on the Recall website page and you can start transferring files - no big deal.
There are several applications to exchange data between the phone and the PC, but there are bugs in KDE Connect at times, and in ShareMe you have to create an FTP server, so we advise you to pay attention to Recall. It's not a top app, but it's perfect for sharing documents and apps.