Is Google Pixel File Transfer Not Working? Worked Out the Issue

Charlotte Smith
2024-05-06
Home > Resources > Google > Is Google Pixel File Transfer Not Working? Worked Out the Issue

Summary

We often need file transfers between our smartphones and computers, so, when Google Pixel file transfer is not working, the users of Google Pixel devices feel frustrated. If you are confronted with this problem, don't worry, you can learn about effective methods from this guide, and use them to fix the file transfer issue without effort. Hopefully, you will be able to transfer your data seamlessly soon.

fix google pixel file transfer not working

Part 1: Reasons Google Pixel File Transfer Not Working

If you want to solve a problem thoroughly, you will need to find out the prime reason first. Thus, above all, we will help you firgure out why Google Pixel file transfer isn't working. You can check the causes displayed below and find the most possible one, and then use the corresponding solutions in Part 2.

  • Faulty Cable or Port: If the USB cable or port on your Google Pixel phone or computer is damaged, you cannot move or copy files between the devices.
  • Mistaken USB Configuration: If you haven't chosen "MTP" or "File Transfer" on your Pixel phone, you cannot access your phone on your computer.
  • System Glitches: There may be a small bug on your phone or PC that prevents your data transmission.
  • Outdated Software: An old operating system on your Pixel device or computer may lead to incompatibility.
  • Unavailable Network: When the network is unstable, you will fail to transfer files from Google Pixel to a computer wirelessly.
  • Outdated Driver: A driver acts as a middleman while you connect your Android phone to your Windows PC. If it is too old to work, you cannot complete the file transfer.

Part 2: How to Fix File Transfer Not Working on Google Pixel [7 Solutions]

Now, we've identified possible reasons why your Google Pixel file transfer isn't working. Let's solve this issue with the correct solution.

2.1 Check the USB Connection

If you establish the connection between your Pixel phone and your PC with USB but file transfer doesn't work, please check the USB connection without delay. First of all, make sure that you have chosen "File Transfer" on your Pixel device.

check the usb configuration

If there is no popup of the USB configuration on your Android phone, it means that your computer doesn't detect your mobile device at all. In this case, please use another USB cable to connect both devices again, or plug the cable into another port on your PC.

In case the rest of the built-in USB ports on your computer are not enough, you can use an external USB hub to expand the number of available USB ports.

use usb hub to increase the number of usb ports

2.2 Restart Your Google Pixel Phone

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve minor software glitches that may be causing file transfer issues. You can restart your Pixel phone if it fails to transfer files.

Please press and hold the "Power" and "Volume Up" buttons on your Google Pixel phone for several seconds. Then choose "Restart". Your Pixel 7 phone will restart itself immediately.

restart pixel phone if it cannot transfer files

By the way, if your Pixel phone is Pixel 5a or earlier, please reboot it by pressing and holding the "Power" button for 30 seconds. The device will reboot automatically.

2.3 Relaunch or Reinstall the Transfer App

Did you want to transfer data from a Google Pixel phone to Mac with Android File Transfer, but the process was unsuccessful? In this case, you can close the app first, and then relaunch it. Or uninstall it from Mac, and then install it again. If the problem is due to Android File Transfer, restalling the app often works.

reinstall android file transfer on mac

2.4 Reinstall Driver

While your current driver on your Windows PC is corrupted, you cannot transfer files between your Pixel phone and the PC unless you fix the driver. So, how can you repair it? Actually, it's easy. You can reinstall the driver on your computer with simple clicks.

  • Link your Pixel phone to your Windows PC with a USB cable, and choose "File transfer/Android Auto" if prompted.
  • Click "Windows" and "X" keys on the keyboard, and then choose "Device Manager" on the list.
  • Tap "Other Devices" if your Pixel phone isn't recognized by the PC.
  • Right-click your Google Pixel device and choose "Uninstall device".
  • Check the option "Delete the driver software for this device" and click "Uninstall". Then remove the connection between your phone and PC.

uninstall driver first

  • To reinstall the driver, please right-click the empty space on the "Device Manager" window, and click "Scan for hardware changes". The PC will search for and install a driver for your Android device.
  • Now, reconnect your Pixel device and computer.

reinstall driver on the pc for google pixel

2.5 Update Software

The software on your Google Pixel phone or computer plays an important role in transferring files. When the operating system is old, which leads to incompatibility with other devices. To solve this problem, you can update the software on both devices.

Update OS on a Pixel phone:

  • Launch the Settings app on your Google Pixel smartphone, and find and tap "System".
  • Click "Software update" > "Download & install" to start the process.

update os on pixel

Update Windows OS on a PC:

  • Tap "Start" > "Settings" > "Update & Security".
  • Click "Check for updates" and then install the latest OS on your PC.

download and install the latest os on pc

2.6 Check the Network

If you transfer your Pixel files with Wi-Fi or mobile data, the network between both devices will be the key. It requires a stable network to send your files, especially when your files are large in size. When there is a problem with the network, you can reset it first.

  • Open the Settings app on your Pixel device, and choose "System" > "Reset options".
  • Click "Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth" > "Reset settings".

reset options on pixel phone

  • Then enter your PIN or pattern to confirm your operation, and click "Reset settings" again. Then the network on the Pixel phone will be reset.

reset network on pixel phone if the file transfer doesn't work

2.7 Using Another Transfer Method

When you have tried the previous methods, but they don't work out the file transfer problem on your Google Pixel device, what can you do now? Many people think that using another transfer method is a good idea. For instance, you can use this transfer software - Samsung Messages Backup, to transfer data between your Google Pixel and computer.

This tool is widely compatible with all Pixel phones and tablets, such as Google Pixel 8 Pro/8/Fold/Tablet/7a/7 Pro/7/6/5/4/3/2/1. Besides, it supports Windows 8 or later, and Mac OS X 10.9 or higher. Thus, you can transfer files without any compatibility issue. Furthermore, it supports multiple file types, like contacts, photos, SMS, call logs, videos, apps, etc.

Main features of this transfer software:

- Seamlessly transfer music, videos, photos, user apps, documents, text messages, contacts, and call logs from Google Pixel to a computer or vice versa.

- Display your Pixel files on the interface and allow you to select them before transferring them.

- Help you manage your Pixel data on your computer with a large screen and keyboard, like editing contacts, replying to SMS, taking screenshots of your Android phone.

- Back up and restore Pixel data on a computer with ease.

- Read data only without leakage.

- Easily transfer files via Wi-Fi and USB.

- Work for most Android devices, including Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Tecno, OnePlus, Vivo, OPPO, Motorola, Xiaomi, etc.

Download the file transfer software.

download windows version of pixel to computer transferdownload mac version of pixel to computer transfer

Use this transfer tool to transfer files from a Pixel phone to a computer:

Step 1: Download and install the software on your computer, and then click "Android Assistant" to launch it.

Step 2: Connect your Pixel phone to the computer with a data cable. Then enable USB debugging on Pixel to make the program recognize your phone fast.

use another tool to transfer files from pixel to computer

Step 3: Choose a file type on the left panel, and tick off the specific files that you want to transfer. Finally, click "Export" to save your Pixel files on your computer.

select and transfer pixel data

By the way, if you want to import files from your computer to your Android device, please tap the "Import" icon.

Part 3: FAQs on Google Pixel File Transfer

Q1: Why doesn't MTP work but PTP does on my Google Pixel 7 when I connect it to my computer?

If only the MTP mode doesn't work, it is possible that your computer lack an MTP driver or that the driver is damaged. You can reinstall the driver on your computer by following the steps in 2.4.

Q2: Can I transfer files from a Pixel phone to a PC without USB or a network?

Yes, you can. As long as your computer supports the Bluetooth connection, you can transfer files from a Pixel phone to a PC with Bluetooth without USB or a network.

Q3: If my Pixel and PC devices haven't connected to a Wi-Fi network, can I use Quick Share to send files?

No, you can't. Quick Share requires Wi-Fi Direct, which needs both devices to use the same Wi-Fi network. If your Pixel phone and computer are connected to different networks, you cannot send files with Quick Share.

Conclusion

The transfer issue on your Google Pixel device will slow you down, but now you can fix it with 7 effective solutions by following this post. If you want to transfer large files stably, you can utilize Samsung Messages Backup, a helpful transfer tool, to complete the data transmission. It enables you to select the files you want, or transfer all of them at once.

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Charlotte Smith Senior Editor

Charlotte Smith, an accomplished editor in the dynamic landscape of mobile technology, has distinguished herself with her abundant experience and skills for iPhone, OnePlus, Sony, Vivo, Motorola, ZTE, Huawei, etc. Help readers and users solve the problems in iPhone Transfer and Mobile Data Management. Her proficiency extends beyond mere functionality, delving into the nuances of each brand with precision and clarity.