Transferring files like photos, videos, and documents from your Samsung Galaxy S8/S8 Plus to a Windows PC is easy with the right cables and settings. As a tech writer and Samsung device owner for over 5 years, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process I’ve used successfully.
Table of Contents
Prerequisites
- A Samsung Galaxy S8/S8 Plus
- A Windows PC
- A USB-C to USB-A cable
Enable USB Debugging
First, enable USB debugging on your S8/S8 Plus for proper file transfer connections – this allows USB data connections with computers.
To enable:
- Open Settings
- Tap Developer options
- Toggle on USB debugging
Connect with USB Cable
Simply plug one end of your USB-C cable into the charging port at the bottom of your S8/S8 Plus, and plug the other end into an open USB port on your Windows PC.
Allow Connection Requests
You may get pop-up requests on your phone to allow the USB connection – tap Allow to enable data transfer.
Transfer Files & Media
On your Windows PC, open File Explorer and look for your S8/S8 Plus under Devices. Click on it to open the phone storage folders.
From here, you can:
- Drag and drop files like photos/videos between phone and PC
- Copy and paste files like documents
- Transfer music, downloads, and other media
The most common folders you’ll want are:
- DCIM – for camera photos/videos
- Pictures – for screenshots and downloaded images
- Music – for audio files
- Documents – for Word, PDFs, etc
Troubleshooting Tips
If you can’t establish the USB connection:
- Reboot both devices
- Try another USB cable
- Disable USB debugging and re-enable it
- Change USB connection mode to PTP or MIDI if MTP does not work
Also, check that you don’t have software like Samsung Kies or SmartSwitch interfering with the file transfer connection.
Alternative Transfer Methods
If connecting by USB cable doesn’t work or is inconvenient, consider these wireless options:
Windows Link Sharing
The Link Sharing feature in Windows 10 and 11 lets you access phone files directly in File Explorer over WiFi, without cables.
To set up:
- Enable Link Sharing in Windows 10/11 settings
- Enable Link Sharing on your phone
- Sign in with same Microsoft account on both devices
You can then access a special Phone folder in File Explorer.
Cloud Storage
Upload files from your phone to cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive, then access them from your Windows PC for easy transfers without cables.
Most cloud services have phone apps that make uploads easy.
Bluetooth Transfer
You can transfer files like photos directly to your PC using Bluetooth:
- Pair your S8/S8 Plus with your Windows PC via Bluetooth
- On your phone, open the file you want to transfer and select Share > Bluetooth
- Pick your paired Windows PC and send the files over
While slower, this works for quick wireless transfers.
Summary
I hope this guide gives you a thorough overview of how to transfer files from your Samsung Galaxy S8/S8 Plus to a Windows PC. Let me know if you have any other questions! With the right cables, settings, and troubleshooting, you’ll be moving files between phone and computer in no time.
