This free resource was originally developed in early 2020 to support people who found themselves unexpectedly moving their work into virtual environments during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was updated in 2026 to reflect current smartphone technology and recording practices.
…
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION WITH SMARTPHONES
Part II: Transferring video files from phone to computer
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
iPhone
Use a USB cable that supports data transfer, not only charging. Depending on your iPhone and computer, this may be a USB-C cable or a Lightning cable. If your computer does not have a USB-C input and your current phone cable is USB-A you may need a dongle adapter (welcome to the dongle-verse of Apple).
Keep your iPhone unlocked while the computer detects it. The first time you connect the devices, you may be asked whether to allow the connection or Trust This Computer. Approve the request and enter your iPhone passcode if prompted.
Importing normally copies the video to the computer; it does not automatically remove the original from the phone. Open and check the transferred file before deleting anything from your iPhone.
Apple iPhone to PC
Install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store. This allows Windows to communicate properly with current iPhones.
Connect the iPhone to the PC using a compatible USB data cable.
Unlock the iPhone. If prompted, tap Trust or Allow.
On the PC, open the Photos app from the Start menu.
Select Import, then choose the connected iPhone.
Allow the computer a moment to locate the photos and videos stored on the device.
Select the videos you want to transfer and choose where they should be saved.
Complete the import and wait until the transfer has finished before disconnecting the phone.
If the videos do not appear
Confirm that the iPhone is unlocked and that you approved the Trust or Allow message.
Try another USB cable or port. Some cables provide power but do not transfer data.
Keep the phone awake during a large transfer.
If you use iCloud Photos with Optimize iPhone Storage, the full-resolution video may be stored in iCloud rather than on the phone. Download the original to the iPhone first, or access it through iCloud for Windows or iCloud.com.
Apple iPhone to Mac
There are two useful options. Choose based on where you want the files to be stored.
Option 1: Import into the Photos app
Use this method when you want the videos added to your Mac’s Photos library.
Connect the iPhone to the Mac using a compatible USB data cable.
If the Mac asks to allow the accessory to connect, select Allow.
Open the Photos app on the Mac.
Select the iPhone from the Photos sidebar. If asked, unlock the iPhone and tap Trust.
Choose an existing album or create a new album for the imported material.
Select the videos you want and click Import Selected, or choose Import All New Items.
Wait until the import is complete before disconnecting the phone.
Option 2: Save videos directly into a folder
Use Image Capture when you need ordinary video files saved to the Desktop, a project folder, an external drive, or another specific location rather than placed inside the Photos library.
Connect the iPhone to the Mac using a compatible USB data cable.
Unlock the iPhone and approve any Trust or connection prompts.
Open Image Capture, which is included with macOS.
Select the iPhone under Devices in the sidebar.
Select the videos you want to transfer.
At the bottom of the window, open the Import To menu and choose the destination folder.
Click Download, or click Download All to import everything.
Check the files in the destination folder before disconnecting the phone or deleting the originals.
Android
Android phones and tablets vary by manufacturer, model, and operating-system version, so the exact names and locations of controls may differ slightly.
When using a cable, make sure it supports data transfer, not only charging. Keep the device unlocked while the computer connects to it. Transferring normally copies the video to the computer; it does not automatically remove the original from the Android device. Open and check the transferred file before deleting anything from the phone.
Android Device to PC
Option 1: Import with the Windows Photos app
Use this method when you want Windows to locate the photos and videos on the connected device and guide you through the import process.
Connect the Android device to the PC using a compatible USB data cable.
Unlock the Android device.
Swipe down from the top of the phone’s screen and tap the USB notification. It may say Charging this device via USB, USB preferences, or something similar.
Under Use USB for, select File Transfer, Transferring files, or the closest available option.
On the PC, open the Photos app from the Start menu.
Select Import, then choose the connected Android device.
Allow the computer time to locate the available photos and videos.
Select the videos you want to transfer and choose where they should be saved.
Complete the import and wait until the transfer has finished before disconnecting the device.
Open the copied video and confirm that it plays correctly before deleting the original from the phone.
Option 2: Copy files through File Explorer
Use this method when you need the video saved directly into a particular project folder.
Connect and unlock the Android device.
Select File Transfer or Transferring files from the phone’s USB options.
Open File Explorer on the PC.
Select This PC, then select the connected phone or tablet.
Open the device’s internal storage and locate the video files. Camera recordings are often stored in a folder such as DCIM or Camera, although the location may vary by device and recording application.
Select the videos you need and copy them into the appropriate folder on the PC.
Wait until copying is complete, check the files, and eject the device from Windows before unplugging it.
Using Copy rather than Move is safer because the original remains on the phone if the transfer is interrupted.
If the Android device does not appear
Confirm that the device is unlocked.
Check the USB notification and make sure the connection is set to File Transfer, not Charging only.
Try another USB port or cable. Some cables provide power but cannot transfer files.
Disconnect and reconnect the device after changing the USB setting.
Keep the phone awake during a large transfer.
Optional wireless transfer: Quick Share
Android devices can also send files wirelessly to compatible Windows computers using Quick Share for Windows. This can be convenient when a cable is unavailable, although transferring a large video may take longer than using USB.
There is no single direct USB process that works consistently across every combination of Android phone and Mac. Google’s current general USB instructions provide steps for Windows and Chromebook, while some phone manufacturers offer their own Mac software. For a broadly applicable workflow, transfer selected videos through an authorized cloud-storage service.
Option 1: Transfer an individual video with Google Drive
Use this method when you want to transfer a specific project file without turning on automatic backup for your entire photo library.
On the Android device
Open the Google Drive app.
Sign in to the Google Account you will also use on the Mac.
Open the folder where you want the video to be stored.
Tap New or the plus sign, then select Upload.
Locate and select the video.
Keep the app open or the device connected to the internet until the upload is complete.
On the Mac
Open Google Drive in a web browser and sign in to the same account.
Locate the uploaded video.
Select the video, open its additional options, and choose Download.
Select the project folder where the file should be saved.
Open the downloaded video and confirm that it plays correctly before deleting the original from the Android device.
Option 2: Download a video backed up to Google Photos
Use this method when the video has already been backed up through Google Photos.
On the Android device
Open the Google Photos app.
Sign in to the appropriate Google Account.
Locate and open the video.
Check that the video has been backed up. If necessary, select Back up now and wait for the upload to finish.
On the Mac
Open Google Photos in a web browser and sign in to the same account.
Locate and select the video.
Open the More menu.
Select Download.
Save the video in the appropriate project folder and confirm that the downloaded file plays correctly.
Manufacturer-specific Mac software
Some manufacturers provide their own computer applications. For example, Samsung offers Smart Switch for compatible Galaxy devices on both Windows and Mac. Check the phone manufacturer’s official support information before installing transfer software.
Android Device to Mac
Google Pixel
Transferring a video normally copies it to the computer; it does not automatically remove the original from the phone. Open the transferred file and confirm that it plays correctly before deleting anything from the Pixel.
When using a cable, make sure it supports data transfer, not only charging. Keep the Pixel unlocked while the computer connects to it.
Option 1: Transfer with a USB cable
Use this method when transferring long videos, multiple files, or footage that should not be uploaded to a cloud service.
Unlock the Pixel phone.
Connect the phone to the PC with a compatible USB data cable.
Swipe down from the top of the Pixel screen to open notifications.
Tap the notification labeled Charging this device via USB or USB preferences.
Under Use USB for, select File Transfer.
On the PC, open File Explorer.
Select This PC, then select the Pixel phone.
Open Internal shared storage.
Camera videos are usually stored in DCIM > Camera. Videos created by another application may be stored in Movies or in a folder associated with that application.
Select the videos you need and copy them into the appropriate folder on the computer.
Wait until the transfer is complete.
Open the copied files and confirm that they play correctly.
Eject the Pixel from Windows before disconnecting the cable.
Using Copy rather than Move is safer because the original remains on the phone if the transfer is interrupted. Google’s current Pixel instructions support wired file transfer directly to Windows through the phone’s File Transfer USB setting.
If the Pixel does not appear on the PC
Confirm that the phone is unlocked.
Make sure File Transfer is selected rather than Charging only.
Try another USB cable. Some cables provide power but cannot transfer data.
Try another USB port.
Disconnect and reconnect the phone after changing the USB setting.
Restart the phone or computer if the device still does not appear.
Option 2: Transfer wirelessly with Quick Share
Use this method for one or several videos when you do not have a cable nearby.
Prepare the Windows PC
Install Google’s Quick Share for Windows application.
Open Quick Share and sign in to your Google Account.
Under the receiving or visibility setting, select Your devices when the Pixel and PC use the same Google Account.
Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on.
Send the video from the Pixel
Open the video in Google Photos or the application where it is stored.
Tap Share.
Select Quick Share.
Select the Windows computer.
Approve the transfer on the computer if prompted.
Wait until the transfer is complete.
Received files are normally placed in a folder named Quick Share inside the Windows Downloads folder. Google recommends keeping the devices nearby, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled; device-to-device sharing may be restricted on some institutional or office networks.
Google Pixel to PC
Option 1: Transfer directly with Quick Share and AirDrop
Supported Pixel phones can now send files directly to a Mac through Apple’s AirDrop receiving system. Google currently lists Pixel 8a and later among the devices that can send files this way. Make sure the Pixel has current software before beginning.
Prepare the Mac
Open Finder.
Select AirDrop in the Finder sidebar.
Set Allow me to be discovered by to Everyone for 10 Minutes.
Keep the Mac awake and nearby.
Send the video from the Pixel
Open the video on the Pixel.
Tap Share.
Select Quick Share.
Select the Mac from the list of nearby devices.
On the Mac, select Accept when the AirDrop notification appears.
Wait until the transfer is complete.
Look for the video in the Mac’s Downloads folder.
Open the video and confirm that it plays correctly.
After the transfer, return the Mac’s AirDrop visibility to Contacts Only or No One if desired. Google’s current instructions specify setting the receiving Apple device to Everyone for 10 Minutes, selecting it through Quick Share, and accepting the AirDrop notification.
Option 2: Transfer through Google Drive
Use this method with any Pixel model when direct nearby sharing is unavailable. It is particularly useful when transferring a specific project file rather than automatically backing up the entire photo library.
Upload the video from the Pixel
Open the Google Drive app.
Sign in to the Google Account you will use on the Mac.
Open or create the folder where the video should be stored.
Tap New, represented by a plus sign.
Select Upload.
Locate and select the video.
Keep the Pixel connected to the internet until the upload is complete.
Google Drive allows files to be selected and uploaded directly from an Android phone.
Download the video to the Mac
Open Google Drive in a web browser on the Mac.
Sign in to the same Google Account.
Locate the uploaded video.
Control-click or right-click the video.
Select Download.
Save the file in the appropriate project folder.
Open the downloaded video and confirm that it plays correctly.
Multiple files can be selected by holding Command while clicking them.
Option 3: Download a video from Google Photos
Use this method when the video has already been backed up to Google Photos.
Check the backup on the Pixel
Open Google Photos.
Locate and open the video.
Check its backup status.
When necessary, select Back up now.
Wait until the backup is complete before continuing.
Google Photos allows individual videos—or several selected videos—to be backed up manually.
Download the video to the Mac
Open Google Photos in a web browser on the Mac.
Sign in to the same Google Account.
Locate and select the video.
Open the More menu, represented by three dots.
Select Download.
Save or move the downloaded file into the appropriate project folder.
Confirm that the video plays correctly.
Backed-up videos can be accessed from another signed-in device and downloaded as local files.
Important note for Mac users
Google’s current Pixel support documentation provides a universal wired USB workflow for Windows and Chromebook, but not for macOS. Quick Share/AirDrop on supported Pixels, Google Drive, and Google Photos are the clearest current workflows.