How to download smartphone photos to Windows 10

What about if the original cable is lost? Them kids took my whole adapter with the only original iPhone cable I've owned in my entire life.....

Snow Storm!

Downloading smartphone photos to Windows 10 using a USB cable is a classic way to do it, but like everything, it comes with its own set of hiccups and drawbacks. I’ve dealt with my fair share of frustrations when trying to transfer photos this way.

Sometimes, your computer might not recognize your smartphone right away. This can happen if the necessary drivers aren’t installed or updated. I’ve had moments when I was staring at my smartphone, waiting for that magical connection while my computer just sat there, clueless. It’s like when you want to join a party but your buddy forgets to pick you up!

Flaky cables or ports can make transferring photos infuriating. If your USB cable is worn or the port is dirty, the connection can drop mid-transfer, causing errors or corrupt files. I once had a cable that would work only if I held it at a precise angle—talk about a workout!

Depending on your smartphone, you may only be able to access certain folders (like DCIM) when you connect via USB. You might miss out on photos stored in different apps or cloud storage that don't easily transfer this way. If you’ve got pics in an app like Instagram or WhatsApp, it’s a whole different ball game, and you won't be able to grab them this way.

When you download smartphone photos to computer via USB, you're often using File Explorer to drag and drop files, which means you’re responsible for organizing them once they’re on your PC. If you’re like me and have a chaotic File Explorer, you might end up with a mess of files scattered everywhere. No one wants to play ‘Where’s Waldo?’ with their photos!

Depending on your smartphone’s manufacturer or operating system, you might hit some frustrating limitations. For instance, some Android devices require you to specifically choose a file transfer mode (like MTP) in the notifications after connecting, which is another step in an already tedious process. I've gotten into that situation and forgot to change the mode—so, my phone was like, "What files? I don’t see any!"

If you have tons of photos to transfer, doing it through USB can feel like a marathon. It’s not too bad for a few pictures, but when you’re looking at hundreds of files, waiting for them to transfer can be a total drag. I once decided to transfer a whole year’s worth of vacation pics while hoping to binge-watch a show—turns out I just ended up with that spinning wheel of patience!

There are many ways to transfer or download photos from your Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to your Windows 10 computer. Below, I'll provide a step-by-step guide to using a USB cable.

1.Connect Your Smartphone to PC:

• Use a USB cable to connect your Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to your Windows 10 PC.
• Use the original Samsung cable for the best performance.

2. Select the USB Mode:

• Once connected, your smartphone may prompt you to select a connection type. You should see a notification that says something like "Charging this device via USB".
• Tap on that notification, and select "File Transfer" or "MTP" (Media Transfer Protocol).

3. Open File Explorer on Your PC:

• On your Windows 10 computer, press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
• In the left sidebar, you should see "This PC" or "My Computer". Click on it.

4. Locate Your Smartphone:

• Under 'Devices and drives', you should see your Samsung device listed. Double-click on it.

5. Navigate to Your Photos:

• Once you open your device, navigate to the following path: Internal Storage > DCIM > Camera. This is where your photos are typically stored.
• You may also find other folders here, depending on your camera settings and other apps.

6. Select and Copy Photos:

• You can select specific photos by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on each image.
• Alternatively, you can select all photos by pressing Ctrl + A.
• Right-click on the selected files and choose "Copy".

7. Paste to Your Desired Location:

• Go back to your File Explorer window, navigate to the folder where you want to store your photos on your PC, right-click in the folder and select "Paste".

8. Eject Your Phone:

• Once you download smartphone photos to Windows 10 is complete, don’t forget to safely eject your phone by clicking the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon in your system tray.

Based on my experience. Downloading smartphone photos to Windows 10 can sometimes feel like navigating a minefield of tech issues. Make sure you're using a good-quality USB cable. Avoid those cheap ones—they’re the worst! Sometimes, it's not the software; it’s just a faulty connection causing hiccups. If Windows prompts you that it can’t find your smartphone, check if you’ve set your smartphone to file transfer mode (this varies by device, but it’s usually when you swipe down for the notification bar and select “File Transfer” or “MTP”).

If your drivers are outdated, your PC may struggle to communicate with your smartphone. Make sure your PC is up-to-date. You can do this by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

To download smartphone photos to Windows 10. Windows 10 has a built-in Photos app that should make it easy to import photos. But sometimes, it can be glitchy. If you find it crashing or not responding, you might consider resetting it. Head over to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find "Photos," and hit “Advanced options” to reset it.

If your smartphone uses a file format that Windows isn’t happy with (like certain types of HEIF images), you might see some bumps. Double-check to ensure your photos are saved in a universally compatible format (JPEG is always your safe bet). If your PC is low on storage space, the import process can fail. Check your disk space by going to This PC and see if there’s enough room for those sweet, sweet pics!

1. Disconnect all cables from the Samsung Galaxy

2. Hit the Windows key and type in Settings.

3. There should be an option called Mobile devices, click on it.
Turn on allow this PC to access mobile devices
Turn on Phone Link

It might take some time and you need to open settings on the Samsung Galaxy and connect the phone to the computer using bluetooth. Transfering 150GB will probably spend half the battery and take several hours. Useing the cable to transfer is more complex and less convenient.

Best of luck