Copying files (photos) from Pixel 9 Pro XL to Windows PC

[Ltripreno]

Generally, I am a PC centric person. I like to get things from the mobile to my PC.
I am new to the Pixel 9 Pro XL. My previous phone was a Samsung A53. When I plugged in the USB cable to the A53, File Explorer would recognize it, and I could copy and paste easily.
The pixel 9 has an app "Link to Wondows" Connecting did not seem to be automatic. i had to open the app and re-connect. When I finally got a list of photos from the Pixel and tried to copy/paste, I get an error. Something about a cloud service. I found a solution on line and it pointed to OneDrive. I tried to turn OneDrive off/disconnect it. Nothing seems very intuitive or simple.
When I connect the Pixel to the PC via a USB cord, I have to open "connections" in the Pixel and select "file transfer" File Explorer does NOT see the Pixel as a USB device. And I have to select "file transfer" every time I connect via USB. When I try to copy/paste, I get a different error.
I simply want to copy files from the Pixel to the PC!! This should not be hard, but I can't figure it out!
It worked easy on the Samsung, but not on the Pixel!
Thanks in advance!

 

[B. Diddy]

After connecting to your Windows PC via USB, on the phone, swipe down the notification panel and look for an Android System notification (that might say "Charging this device via USB, Tap for more options"). Tap that, then in the USB Preferences options, select File Transfer. In Windows File Explorer, you should now see your Pixel show up in the lefthand panel. Select it, then double-click on Internal Shared Storage, then look in the /DCIM/Camera folder. That's where your locally saved photos taken by the Camera app are located -- you can drag and drop those to your PC's hard drive.

 

[Ltripreno]

After connecting to your Windows PC via USB, on the phone, swipe down the notification panel and look for an Android System notification (that might say "Charging this device via USB, Tap for more options"). Tap that, then in the USB Preferences options, select File Transfer. In Windows File Explorer, you should now see your Pixel show up in the lefthand panel. Select it, then double-click on Internal Shared Storage, then look in the /DCIM/Camera folder. That's where your locally saved photos taken by the Camera app are located -- you can drag and drop those to your PC's hard drive.

B. Thank you for the reply. I have done all that. Please let me recap/update......
I uninstalled the Link to Windows app from the phone to ensure that is not the problem.
I connect the phone to the PC via a USB cord. On the phone, I select "transfer" from the USB screen. On the PC, I go to Settings - "Bluetooth & devices" - Devices. I look down and I can see that the phone is connected, under "other devices". I go to file explorer on the PC and the phone does NOT show up.
I have an app on the PC called "Free Commander" which is an alternative file explorer. Free Commander does not see the phone either.
So, the phone knows it is connected, the PC knows it is connected, but it does not show up in file explorer. I am confused and frustrated!
I have done this many many times with my previous Samsung phone. I know how to navigate to the photos on the phone. I need the phone to show up in file explorer and I will be all set!!!
Thank you!

 

[B. Diddy]

First things first -- can you test using another USB cable? Sometimes a faulty cable can cause issues with data transfer.

 

[VidJunky]

Just couple of questions.

After selecting Transfer, do you relock or close the phone screen or leave it open?

Have you checked YouTube or done a Google search for suggestions?

Anyway, I asked Google and it gives instructions just like what B. Diddy and you have talked about, change the connection type, open windows explorer, find the phone listed as device, etc. ... but it doesn't work for you. Seems odd that you're having issues. Please try to transfer in the typical manor using the USB while the phone is in Safe Mode.

There are multiple videos on YouTube that show how-to. This was just the top video delivered. (I don't watch or read everything I recommend.)

More videos.

It's just odd that everywhere we look show us the typical steps we've all used but they don't work for you. What's different about your device? The first thing that comes to mind is a bad app. The second thing would be a procedural issue, like needing the phone unlocked and open, or some other little thing that is unique to Pixel.

Let us know what you find.

 

[Ltripreno]

Thanks for your replies!!! Sorry I am late...I had a busy day yesterday.
I am trying with 2 USB cables. Blue and white. The blue is the "regular" one I use, and the one I used before. The white is, I believe, the one shipped with the Pixel, but not sure.
I took my wife's Samsung, I plugged it in using the blue cable. It worked like we all expected. It showed up in file explorer, I opened it, I saw files. Just like my old Samsung.
I connected the Pixel with the white cable. Got the same problem. Did not resolve it. I opened file explorer and the Pixel is not there. The Samsung is. I went into Windows settings and went to devices. Both Samsung and Pixel show up under devices. I "removed" the Pixel, then unplugged it and plugged it back in. It showed up in devices.
I will look at some of the videos, but I suspect they will only tell me what we already know.
Could it be a faulty Pixel phone?

 

[B. Diddy]

It's definitely odd. My Pixel 9 Pro XL has no issues with USB connection to Windows 11.

What version of Windows are you using? Also, try booting the phone into Safe Mode and see if it connects then: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/2852139?hl=en

I also just want to clarify which menu you were looking at in the Pixel's system settings. You went to Settings>Connected Devices>Connection Preferences, correct? (You can also search "USB" in the system settings.) The reason I ask is that you said the "Connections" menu before, and that's not the exact name of the menu in a Pixel phone (I realize you may have just been paraphrasing it).

 

[Ltripreno]

I sincerely appreciate all your suggestions and help!!!
I booted the Pixel in safe mode. No difference. Tried both cables.
So, I go connected devices > USB > File transfer
Sorry, sometimes I do abbreviate or try to simplify.
I am using Windows 11 and keep up to date with updates/upgrades.
In windows, I go to settings > bluetooth & devices > devices I see the Pixel listed under "Other devices" The Samsung showed up here as well.
OK, here is something I haven't mentioned yet.....
- When looking at the Pixel phone listed in the windows devices list, there is a message in the box that reads "Device can perform faster when connected to USB 3.0" I didn't mention it before because I assumed it was a speed/performance issue, not a connection issue.
Thanks again!

 

[B. Diddy]

Have you tried using all of the PC's USB ports?

On the phone, when you tap the USB notification to choose File Transfer, is the "USB Controlled By" option set to "This device" or "Connected device"?

Also, on Windows File Explorer, you're looking under "This PC", right? Make sure that selection is fully expanded, since the phone should appear nested under This PC.

 

[mustang7757]

You have Google drive and photos on the pixel if you sign into your computer with same account you will have everything your phone does.

I'll move this to the pixel 9 forum

 

[1Coopgt]

I use phone link on my Windows PC. Pretty sure it comes with Windows. Works great. Also I have Nearby Share Beta from Google in my PC .

 

[Ltripreno]

Responding to B. Diddy
- Yes, I have tried all 3 USB ports on the laptop. Remember, this works fine with the Samsung, but not the Pixel.
- USB notification is set to "this device" I tried tapping "Connected device", but the phone said "couldn't switch"
- Yes, in file explorer I am looking in "this PC" I have a lot of experience with this. And it works fine with the Samsung.

Responding to Mustang7757
- OK, accessing Google drive for my photos on the Pixel might work. I looked at my Drive, and there are no photos there. It seems my phone is not sending photos to the drive. I just spent time on the Pixel to try to figure out why. When I open drive on the phone it says the last photos uploaded were in 2015!! Yikes! (So, the Samsung didn't either!)
- Now I have a different problem!!!

Responding to 1coopgt
- I was frustrated with Link to Windows and I uninstalled it to focus on USB, I will try again.

 

[B. Diddy]

Do you recall when you first connected the Pixel to the PC -- did you get a popup asking to choose an automatic action when plugging in? I'm not sure if any of those selections might have done something. When I connected, I just ignored that popup, so maybe try forgetting the Pixel in the Windows connected device settings again, then connect the Pixel to the PC via USB and ignore that popup. Still no joy?

 

[B. Diddy]

OK, accessing Google drive for my photos on the Pixel might work. I looked at my Drive, and there are no photos there. It seems my phone is not sending photos to the drive. I just spent time on the Pixel to try to figure out why. When I open drive on the phone it says the last photos uploaded were in 2015!! Yikes! (So, the Samsung didn't either!)

Don't look in Drive to access your backed up photos -- you need to go to the Google Photos website instead. Google Photos used to integrate directly with Google Drive such that you could access backed up photos in Drive, but Google stopped that in 2019. Since then, Google Photos has been its own thing (although the storage is still shared with the total Drive space).

To make sure your Google Photos is auto-backing up, open the Photos app on your phone, tap your profile pic at the upper right, then Backup. Make sure that toggle is on. By default, only your Camera roll will backup, but if you want other folders backed up, tap Collections at the bottom, then On This Device. Select any of the folders there and turn on the Backup toggles that you want.

 

[Ltripreno]

Responding to B. Diddy...
- Earlier I did disconnect the device in Windows, then reconnected the cable. No popup.
The only thing I always need to select is the file transfer option. And that is a pain in the a**
- Re: Google photos and drive. Going back to my first post.... I am basically PC centric. I want to open File explorer and access the photos on the Pixel. As I reported, this is simple with Samsung, but is not working with my pixel.

So, I am going to give up. I am going to Spectrum and claim the phone is defective and get a Samsung.

Oh and one more thing. I tried the Phone link in Windows connecting to Link to Windows on the phone. No go! I get to where phone link displays a QR code, and I get to where the phone is scanning the code. Will not connect.

Thanks for all you have done to help me. But I give up! This is a deal breaker! I think the phone is defective.

Cheers!

 

[mustang7757]

Responding to B. Diddy
- Yes, I have tried all 3 USB ports on the laptop. Remember, this works fine with the Samsung, but not the Pixel.
- USB notification is set to "this device" I tried tapping "Connected device", but the phone said "couldn't switch"
- Yes, in file explorer I am looking in "this PC" I have a lot of experience with this. And it works fine with the Samsung.

Responding to Mustang7757
- OK, accessing Google drive for my photos on the Pixel might work. I looked at my Drive, and there are no photos there. It seems my phone is not sending photos to the drive. I just spent time on the Pixel to try to figure out why. When I open drive on the phone it says the last photos uploaded were in 2015!! Yikes! (So, the Samsung didn't either!)
- Now I have a different problem!!!

Responding to 1coopgt
- I was frustrated with Link to Windows and I uninstalled it to focus on USB, I will try again.

If you go to settings>passkey/password/Accounts tap then search your Google account and tap make sure sync is on for Google drive as for Google photos in its app make sure sync and back up is on