How to Connect an Android to PC [Windows 11/10/8/7]

For recovering deleted files from your Android device with any Android Recovery software, or accessing the files stored on your Android phone from computer, you should first connect Android to PC either with a USB cable or through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

In this article, we will explain how to connect Android phone to PC by using a USB cable or via wireless connection like AirDroid, Bluetooth, or the Microsoft Your Phone app. Read on to learn more details.

Part 1. How to Connect Android Phone to PC with USB

The most common way to connect an Android phone to PC is to use a USB cable. It is very easy, but you need make sure that you have enabled USB debugging on the device. If you don’t know how to do this, please first refer to Part 2.

Here’s how to connect an Android to PC with USB cbale;

Step 1: Connect the micro-USB end of the cable to your Android device and the other end to a USB port on your computer.

Step 2: A notification will appear on your Android device. Tap on this notification and then select “Transfer Files.”

Step 3: You will also see a notification on your computer offering options for the newly connected USB device. Click on this notification.

Step 4: In the window that opens, choose “Open Device to View Files.”

Now when you open Windows/File Explorer, you should see the device available as a storage option. You can simply click on it to view the files.

Part 2. How to Enable USB Debugging on Android Devices

What Is USB Debugging Mode on Android?

The Android USB Debugging mode is part of the Developer Options in Android devices. It is a set of options that app developers can use to make sure that their apps are working as they should and diagnose any problem that may arise.

There are usually strict rules governing what you can do when a device is connected via USB. For instance, you are not usually allowed to modify the device in any way or give it commands that may change its function.

But when you switch to USB debugging mode, you open a control channel meant for the Android Software Development Kit (SDK), allowing you to see what is happening with the device on the PC in real-time.

How to Activate USB Debugging Mode on Android?

To successfully connect an Android to PC, the USB debugging is always the first operation required. If you have no idea about it, the steps below outline how to enable USB debugging on different versions of Android.

For Android 4.2 or newer:

Go to Settings > About phone > scroll down to the bottom > Hit Build number for 7 times until you get a message “You are now a developer!”

Go back to Settings > Developer options > USB debugging > Tap OK on the prompt.

For Android 3.0 to 4.1: Go to Settings > Developer Options and enable it. Scroll down and check “USB debugging”, then tap OK.

For Android 2.3 or earlier: Go to Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging and enable it. That’s all.

Note: You can follow these steps to enable USB debugging on Android phones like Samsung Galaxy, HTC,  Huawei, Google Pixel, LG, OnePlus, Sony, Moto, Xiaomi, Oppo, etc.

How to Enable USB Debugging on Broken Screen Android?

It is quite simple to enable USB debugging on Android phone with good screen. What if the Android phone screen is broken? How to enable USB debugging on Android with broken/black screen? Don’t worry. Here’s the solution;

1. Buy an OTG Adapter and make sure your Android phone is compatible with it.
2. Use the OTG Adapter to connect your broken Android phone with a mouse.
3. Click the mouse to unlock your Android phone and turn on USB debugging on Settings.

Part 3. How to Connect Android to PC without USB Cable

If you don’t have your USB cable with you, you can prefer a wireless connection. Below are the three options you can use to connect an Android phone to PC without USB cable.

Option 1. Using AirDroid App

AirDroid is a popular Android file transfer app that you can use to not just transfer files between Android device and computer, but also comes with a number of remote-control features. Here’s how you can use it to connect your device to your PC;

Step 1: Install AirDroid on your Android device. It is available on the Google Play Store.

Step 2: Open the app and select the features you would like to use. You may need to create an account if this is the first time you’re using it.

Step 3: Now go to AirDroid Web and log in to the same account you’re using on the Android device. Once connected, you should see the main dashboard, a toolbox on the right with the storage information on your device, and all the apps on your device on the left.

Step 4: Click on the “Files” app from the options on the left and browse the files you would like to transfer to your PC.

You can also click on the “Messages” app to view the messages on the Android device or the “Camera” app to remotely control the device’s camera.

Option 2. Using Bluetooth

You can also connect your Android device to your PC using Bluetooth and transfer files that way. Here’s how to do it;

Step 1: First, make sure that Bluetooth is enabled on both the Android device and the PC. You should then see the computer appear on the Android phone as an available device to pair with.

Step 2: Tap on it to begin pairing. You should then see a pairing code appear on both devices. Tap “Pair” to connect the devices.

Step 3: When pairing is successful, right-click on the Bluetooth icon on your PC and select “Send a File” or “Receive a File” depending on your needs.

Step 4: Browse your PC for the file that you would like to transfer and click “Next” to begin the transfer process.

Option 3. Using Microsoft Your Phone App

For Windows 10 users, another way to connect your Android device to the computer is using the “Your Phone” service provided by Microsoft.

This service allows you to access your phone’s files, notifications, and text messages, making it the ideal solution if you have forgotten your phone at home. Here’s how it works;

Step 1: Install the Microsoft Your Phone app on your Android device. It is also available on the Google Play Store.

Step 2: Install the same app on your Windows PC. You can find it in the Microsoft Store.

Step 3: Open the app on both devices and then select “Android” as the type of device that you would like to connect to. Tap “Get Started.”

Step 4: Your computer will connect to the Android phone. Click on the “Photos” in the panel on the left to see the photos on your device.

In the same way, you can click on “Messages” to see the messages or “Notifications” to see any recent notifications on the Android device.

Part 4. Fix Android Phone Not Recognized by Windows PC

We already explained how to connect Android to PC with or without using a USB cable. If you are trying to connect your Android phone to the computer with a USB cable to transfer files or recover data, but the phone is not recognized by PC, you should try the following tips.

1. Check whether the USB cable and USB port is in good condition or not. Try another USB cable or another USB port on your computer.
2. Remove other USB devices that are attached to the computer, as they may be conflicting with the device you wish to connect with.
3. Check if you have install the proper USB driver for your Android device. Try to reinstall the old USB driver and install the latest one from its official site.
4. Restart both devices if your Android phone is not showing up on your PC.