Help file transfer on Android 10

[Pedro Vera]

My phone automatically updated to a new version: Android 10. Whoot!

But of course it has changed. When I connect to Windows PC via USB, I cannot get the phone mounted as a file system on Windows.

I followed the directions found elsewhere:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap About Phone.
   
3. Scroll down to the bottom.
   
4. Tap Build Number (seven times is the magic number) until you are informed Developer Options have been enabled.
5. Set "default USB configuration" in settings
6. Select File Transfer as the default

It looks like this change took effect, but when I connect the USB cable nothing happens on Windows. I even restarted the phone.

When I search settings for USB, there are some entries:
"USB controlled by" - the settings are grayed out: I cannot change this setting
"USB preferences" - the settings are grayed out: I cannot change this setting

What to do?

I have a motorola G(7) supra. The Android build number is QC030.95-Q3-10-17

 

[ocnbrze]

do you have the right drivers for your moto phone on your pc? never had a moto phone, but there should be specific drivers for the phone.

also check your cables.

 

[mikedt]

If the phone was updated, maybe you need to update the Windows drivers for it? Just a guess.

 

[Pedro Vera]

On Windows, I also installed the Motorola Device Driver app from here: https://support.motorola.com/us/en/drivers but nothing seems to happen differently. When I plug in the USB cable, I get a vibrate and a 'ding' on the phone but Windows does nothing.

Then later:
I cannot explain it... I have a second phone, identical to the other, but it is still on Android 9. I plugged it in to verify that the USB cable works. When I plugged in USB, the device manager woke up and said 'setting up' the phone. Later, when I plugged in the Android 10 phone, it worked correctly.

 

[Trom]

My phone automatically updated to a new version: Android 10. Whoot!

But of course it has changed. When I connect to Windows PC via USB, I cannot get the phone mounted as a file system on Windows.

I followed the directions found elsewhere:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap About Phone.
   
3. Scroll down to the bottom.
   
4. Tap Build Number (seven times is the magic number) until you are informed Developer Options have been enabled.
5. Set "default USB configuration" in settings
6. Select File Transfer as the default

It looks like this change took effect, but when I connect the USB cable nothing happens on Windows. I even restarted the phone.

When I search settings for USB, there are some entries:
"USB controlled by" - the settings are grayed out: I cannot change this setting
"USB preferences" - the settings are grayed out: I cannot change this setting

What to do?

I have a motorola G(7) supra. The Android build number is QC030.95-Q3-10-17

I know that my phone, upon plugging it in, defaults to charging only, and I need to go to settings > Bluetooth and device connection to make it available to the computers file system, perhaps the update took you back to a default state on that.

 

[Pedro Vera]

perhaps the update took you back to a default state on that.

Yeah, but then I took explicit steps to set the default to be 'file transfer'. My original complaint was that my change did not take.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Are you dead-set on using cables, Pedro Vera?

I transfer files throughout the day, from and to my Android devices and computers--and I haven't used a cable in eons. I use Wi-Fi, which is much more convenient.

If you're interested in sharing files without cables, let us know! There's nothing difficult involved, nor do you need drivers or special software.

 

[Pedro Vera]

Are you dead-set on using cables... There's nothing difficult involved, nor do you need drivers or special software.

Tell me how to do.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Tell me how to do.

You bet!

First, you need a good file manager on Android; my hands-down favorite is MiXplorer Silver. Please see this post and thread for more info, including pics of MiXplorer giving me access to my computers.

Your computer(s) and Android device(s) must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Your computer(s) must be networked, i.e., their drive(s) must be shared. I only use Linux so someone else will have to step in if you're in need of help with that.

That's it! You're good to go. As you'll see in my pics, my computers' drives are available to me in my file manager just as if they were local. Also, some file managers give you a completely separate way of transferring files; in this case, they're more like Airdroid, using a web browser on the computer to connect to the FM on Android. I never use that method as it's unnecessary for me, but if you have problems networking your computer(s), this would be a viable alternative.