Android to Windows

[testcy]

On a PC, when using USB 2.0 ports to transfer files from Android to Windows (with Type-C to Type-A cable) causes freezing. When using USB 3.0 ports (with the same cable) there is no freezing. When using the same USB 2.0 ports with memory sticks again there is no freezing. Any ideas what might be causing this? 

[Timme]

Slightly off-topic, but why do you use cables and not an app, like Phone Link?

[testcy]

15 minutes ago, Timme said:

Slightly off-topic, but why do you use cables and not an app, like Phone Link?

Never heard of Phone Link before, probably because I am simply trying to backup files? 

[the_helper417]

12 minutes ago, testcy said:

Never heard of Phone Link before, probably because I am simply trying to backup files? 

I would use phone link.

[Guest]

There's probably a technical reason for it, but my guess is because USB 3.0 can handle more bandwidth. Accessing files from smartphones on Windows has always seemed slow and inefficient for me (atleast Android, I don't think you can even do that on iPhone), and the extra bandwidth on USB 3.0 certainly helps. Connecting physically has also proven to be a little finicky, so here's a few tips from my experience:

• If you're going to move/copy folders, first navigate into it, let the files fully load, go back and only then move/copy it. Otherwise you'll just get an empty folder.
• Leave the device window open, especially if you want to cut/copy/paste

If you want a wireless way to do it there's...

• Quick Share for Windows: works with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, internet and auto accepts files when signed in to the same account.
• LocalSend: open-source, more reliable but Wi-Fi only, no account required for auto accept and finish, install app on computer and phone.
• Phone Link: built-in into Windows. Others here have suggested this but note that it requires an online account. I also don't have much experience with it.

[Timme]

3 minutes ago, testcy said:

probably because I am simply trying to backup files?

Didn't intend any sarcasm. Was just asking why you don't use wireless transfer between Android and PC, because Windows has built-in apps and features, like the Phone Link app, to provide almost seamless integration with an Android device. It does need blue-tooth though, I think.

[testcy]

25 minutes ago, treysblackshoes said:

There's probably a technical reason for it, but my guess is because USB 3.0 can handle more bandwidth.

Strange thing is that when using USB 2.0 ports on a much older PC, there is no freezing.

23 minutes ago, Timme said:

It does need blue-tooth though, I think.

The PC has no Bluetooth, but would again a Bluetooth adapter work with a USB 2.0 port?

[Timme]

9 minutes ago, testcy said:

Strange thing is that when using USB 2.0 ports on a much older PC, there is no freezing.

The PC has no Bluetooth, but would again a Bluetooth adapter work with a USB 2.0 port?

Yeah, np

[Thomas53]

Send your self an e-mail with the file as an attachment, woks 100% for om any OS. Advantage, no extra software needed on either end.

[the_helper417]

16 minutes ago, testcy said:

Strange thing is that when using USB 2.0 ports on a much older PC, there is no freezing.

The PC has no Bluetooth, but would again a Bluetooth adapter work with a USB 2.0 port?

yeh it would work great

[Crunchy Dragon]

1 hour ago, testcy said:

Strange thing is that when using USB 2.0 ports on a much older PC, there is no freezing.

Are all your drivers up to date?

[Blue4130]

1 hour ago, Thomas53 said:

Send your self an e-mail with the file as an attachment, woks 100% for om any OS. Advantage, no extra software needed on either end.

Fine for small files I guess, but what a kludgy way to do things. 

 

I still use wire, since most of the time, I am sending 2gb+ files to the tablet. 

[Kilrah]

USB 2.0 ports can't provide as much power as 3.0, and the phone may be trying to charge too fast from the 2.0 port. 

[testcy]

20 hours ago, Blue4130 said:

I still use wire, since most of the time, I am sending 2gb+ files to the tablet.

That's why I thought it was the way to go.

9 hours ago, Kilrah said:

USB 2.0 ports can't provide as much power as 3.0, and the phone may be trying to charge too fast from the 2.0 port. 

Is the phone supposed to charge at the same time it is transferring files?

[Kilrah]

37 minutes ago, testcy said:

Is the phone supposed to charge at the same time it is transferring files?

Most will yes

[Blue4130]

13 hours ago, Kilrah said:

USB 2.0 ports can't provide as much power as 3.0, and the phone may be trying to charge too fast from the 2.0 port. 

I don't see how it would though. The PC should not be able to handshake the fastcharging protocol, can it?

[Kilrah]

11 hours ago, Blue4130 said:

I don't see how it would though. The PC should not be able to handshake the fastcharging protocol, can it?

That's assuming the phone is respecting that

[Blue4130]

1 hour ago, Kilrah said:

That's assuming the phone is respecting that

It's my understanding that the chip is physically not present on a PC to initiate fast charging. I've never seen nor heard of a phone trying to use fast charging on something that doesn't have the chip on the other end. Is that wrong? Do you have examples of it happening?

 

(granted, I am not a phone charging expert by any means)

[Kilrah]

We don't know what phone it is, if its some $100 aliexpress no-name I wouldn't be surprised. 

 

Other possibility is the wiring in the USB3 ports being thicker e.g. if it's front panel ports and causing less loss of their own before the outside cable. No info about that either though.

[testcy]

7 hours ago, Kilrah said:

We don't know what phone it is, if its some $100 aliexpress no-name I wouldn't be surprised. 

 

Other possibility is the wiring in the USB3 ports being thicker e.g. if it's front panel ports and causing less loss of their own before the outside cable. No info about that either though.

It's not some $100 AliExpress no-name. It's a $300 XIAOMI. Both USB 2.0 and 3.0 are front panel ports, if this is what you are asking.

[Kilrah]

Then that may be the reason as explained above.

[testcy]

47 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

Then that may be the reason as explained above.

Do you mean the problem are the USB 2.0 wires of the front panel that connect to the motherboard?

[Kilrah]

The power wires for the USB 2 ports might be thinner and causing more voltage loss than the ones that go to the USB 3 ports, yeah. 

[Taz900]

On 1/21/2026 at 8:46 PM, Timme said:

Didn't intend any sarcasm. Was just asking why you don't use wireless transfer between Android and PC, because Windows has built-in apps and features, like the Phone Link app, to provide almost seamless integration with an Android device. It does need blue-tooth though, I think.

 

On 1/21/2026 at 9:02 PM, testcy said:

Strange thing is that when using USB 2.0 ports on a much older PC, there is no freezing.

The PC has no Bluetooth, but would again a Bluetooth adapter work with a USB 2.0 port?

Phone link does not need Bluetooth.

I do use phone link.
PC is connected to the internet via power line and phone is on Wi-Fi.
As long as you are on the same network, it should work.

[Timme]

2 minutes ago, Taz900 said:

 

Phone link does not need Bluetooth.

I do use phone link.
PC is connected to the internet via power line and phone is on Wi-Fi.
As long as you are on the same network, it should work.

I had an Android phone a few years ago, so I wasn't sure if it was yes or no. iPhone does need BT pairing... But if it results in having Bluetooth available on the PC, still a win