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How to transfer Samsung photos to PC without USB

Written by

William Johnson

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Transferring photos from your Samsung phone to your PC doesn’t always require a USB cable. In today’s wireless world, there are several convenient and efficient methods to move your precious memories. Whether you’re looking for a quick transfer, a cloud-based backup, or seamless integration, this guide will show you how to transfer Samsung photos to PC without USB, covering various wireless solutions.

Why Transfer Photos Wirelessly?

  • Convenience: No need to search for a specific cable.
  • Accessibility: Transfer from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Automation: Many cloud services offer automatic syncing.
  • Flexibility: Use various devices, not just the one with a USB port.

Let’s explore the best ways to get your Samsung photos onto your computer wirelessly.

  1. Using Cloud Storage Services (Google Photos, OneDrive, Dropbox)

Cloud services are arguably the easiest and most reliable way to sync and transfer photos automatically. They also provide a secure backup.

  • Step 1: Choose Your Cloud Service.
    • Google Photos (Recommended for Android users): Often pre-installed on Samsung phones. Offers unlimited storage for “Storage saver” quality (formerly high-quality) photos or uses your Google Drive storage for original quality.
    • Microsoft OneDrive: Integrates well with Windows PCs and offers Samsung Gallery sync.
    • Dropbox: A popular general-purpose cloud storage solution.
  • Step 2: Set Up Automatic Backup on Your Samsung Phone.
    • For Google Photos:
      • Open the Google Photos app on your Samsung phone.
      • Tap your profile icon (top right).
      • Tap “Photos settings” > “Backup”.
      • Toggle “Backup” on.
      • Configure “Backup quality,” “Mobile data usage,” and “Backup device folders” as desired.
    • For Microsoft OneDrive (via Samsung Gallery):
      • Open the Samsung Gallery app.
      • Tap the “More” (three horizontal lines) icon in the bottom right.
      • Tap “Settings”.
      • Look for “Sync with OneDrive” or “Cloud Sync” and tap it.
      • Follow the prompts to link your Microsoft account and enable sync.
    • For Dropbox:
      • Download and install the Dropbox app from the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store.
      • Sign in to your Dropbox account.
      • Go to Settings within the Dropbox app.
      • Tap “Camera uploads” and toggle it on.
  • Step 3: Access Photos on Your PC.
    • Once photos are backed up, open a web browser on your PC and go to the respective cloud service’s website (photos.google.com, onedrive.live.com, dropbox.com).
    • Sign in with the same account used on your phone.
    • Your photos will be accessible. You can view, download specific photos, or download entire albums.
    • Alternatively, install the desktop client for Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox on your PC. Your synced photos will appear directly in a designated folder on your computer.
  1. Using Samsung Flow or Link to Windows (Microsoft Phone Link)

These tools provide a direct, local wireless connection between your Samsung phone and your Windows PC.

  • Method A: Samsung Flow (for Samsung Ecosystem)
    • Step 1: Install Samsung Flow on Both Devices.
      • On your Samsung phone: Download Samsung Flow from the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store.
      • On your PC: Download Samsung Flow from the Microsoft Store.
    • Step 2: Pair Your Devices.
      • Open Samsung Flow on both your phone and PC.
      • Follow the on-screen prompts to pair them via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network). You’ll typically confirm a passkey.
    • Step 3: Transfer Photos.
      • Once connected, in the Samsung Flow PC app, click the “+” icon or the paperclip icon to attach files.
      • Select “Image” and browse your phone’s gallery to select photos.
      • Click “Send”. The photos will be transferred to your PC’s downloads folder or a designated Samsung Flow folder.
      • You can also drag and drop files from your phone’s gallery into the Samsung Flow window on your PC.
  • Method B: Link to Windows / Microsoft Phone Link (Windows 10/11)
    • Step 1: Set Up Link to Windows on Your Samsung Phone.
      • On your Samsung phone, swipe down from the top to open the Quick Panel.
      • Look for the “Link to Windows” toggle and tap it (you might need to add it from Quick Panel editor).
      • Follow the on-screen instructions to link your phone to your Microsoft account.
    • Step 2: Open Phone Link on Your PC.
      • On your Windows PC, search for and open the “Phone Link” app.
      • Ensure it’s connected to your Samsung phone.
    • Step 3: Access and Transfer Photos.
      • In the Phone Link app on your PC, go to the “Photos” tab.
      • You’ll see your recent photos from your Samsung phone.
      • Right-click on any photo to “Save as” to your PC or “Copy” it. You can select multiple photos.
  1. Using Wi-Fi Direct or File Sharing Apps (e.g., ShareIt, Nearby Share)

For quick, ad-hoc transfers between devices on the same Wi-Fi network or nearby, these methods are effective.

  • Method A: Wi-Fi Direct (Less Common for PC)
    • While Wi-Fi Direct is excellent for phone-to-phone transfers, direct PC support can be hit-or-miss as PCs often don’t have built-in Wi-Fi Direct interfaces visible to users. However, some newer PCs and specific software might leverage it. Generally, cloud or shared folders are more reliable.
  • Method B: Nearby Share (Google’s Ecosystem)
    • Step 1: Ensure Nearby Share is Enabled.
      • On your Samsung phone: Go to Settings > Connected devices > Nearby Share and ensure it’s on and set to “Everyone” or “Your devices.”
      • On your PC: Download and install Google’s Nearby Share app for Windows. Sign in with your Google account.
    • Step 2: Share from Phone to PC.
      • Open your Samsung Gallery app.
      • Select the photos you want to transfer.
      • Tap the “Share” icon.
      • Select “Nearby Share”.
      • Your PC (with Nearby Share app open) should appear as a discoverable device. Select it.
      • Accept the transfer on your PC. Photos will be saved to your PC’s Downloads folder.
  • Method C: Third-Party File Sharing Apps (e.g., ShareIt, Xender)
    • Step 1: Install App on Both Devices.
      • Download and install the chosen app (e.g., ShareIt) on both your Samsung phone and your PC (usually via an official website or app store).
    • Step 2: Connect Devices.
      • Open the app on both devices.
      • Follow the app’s instructions to connect, often by scanning a QR code or creating a temporary Wi-Fi hotspot.
    • Step 3: Transfer Photos.
      • On your phone, select “Send,” choose “Photos,” and then select the images.
      • Send them to your connected PC.
  1. Using Email or Messaging Apps (for small numbers of photos)

For one-off transfers of a few photos, email or messaging apps are simple, though not ideal for bulk transfers.

  • Step 1: Select Photos.
    • Open your Samsung Gallery app.
    • Select the photos you want to send.
  • Step 2: Share via Email/Messaging.
    • Tap the “Share” icon.
    • Choose your preferred email app (e.g., Gmail) or messaging app (e.g., WhatsApp Web).
    • Attach the photos and send them to yourself or a contact.
    • Note on size limits: Email usually has attachment size limits (e.g., 25MB for Gmail). Large photos might need to be sent individually or compressed.
  • Step 3: Download on PC.
    • Open your email or messaging app on your PC.
    • Open the message and download the attached photos.

By utilizing these wireless methods, you can efficiently transfer Samsung photos to your PC without a USB cable, keeping your digital memories organized and accessible across your devices. Choose the method that best suits your needs for speed, automation, and convenience.

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