Documents on android device are read only when opened through Windows Explorer via USB cable.

[Android Central Question]

I have a AT&T Note 9 with a Windows 10 computer, all up to date. I want to use my phone like a flash drive/external harddrive to store documents and folders, such as MS Word and Excel documents.

To access these files, I use my USB cable connected to the PC and view the files in windows explorer. If I click on a document to open/edit it, it is read-only.

Is there a way to change this? In contrast, if I had used a regular external hard drive or flash drive, I would be able to see the files as well, but can open and edit them normally.

 

[anon(10614692)]

Try installing Windows phone companion on your Pc. This should give you the ability to do that.

 

[mustang7757]

I'll leave a link to register so you can communicate here, as a guest account u cant .
https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[tlc264]

It could be that Microsoft is only allowing read only because the screen used is over 9" and the file is coming from an android product. You might have to have a paid version of office on the phone to be able to make changes. I dont use mine like you are but office on my Samsung Tabs will only allow read only. When I open the same files on my phones I have editing capabilities.