Sharing Files Between Android and Windows Phone: The Easy (and Slightly Harder) Ways
You’ve got a bunch of cool files on your Android phone and you want to share them with your friend’s Windows Phone. But what if the internet’s down, or you’re trying to conserve precious mobile data? Don’t worry, there are simple ways to transfer files between these two different operating systems, even without relying on the internet! We’ll explore both the easy and slightly more challenging options, so you can choose the best method for your needs.
The Easy Way: Using a Computer
The simplest solution is to leverage the power of a computer. Connect both your Android phone and your friend’s Windows Phone to the computer via USB cables. Your devices should show up as removable drives on your computer, just like external hard drives or flash drives. From here, simply copy and paste the files you want to share from your Android device to the Windows Phone, just as you would transfer files between two USB drives.
Important Note: While Android devices typically show up as removable drives on a computer without any extra configuration, Windows Phone devices might require you to install drivers for proper functionality. Check your phone and computer manufacturer’s websites for the latest drivers.
Windows Phone File Management: No Longer a Headache
Accessing the files on your Windows Phone after transferring them can be a breeze if you have Windows Phone 8.1 or a newer version. The update came with a built-in file management system that allows you to easily locate and organize transferred files. If you are still using Windows Phone 8, then finding these files after transferring them can be a bit more of a challenge.
Need help upgrading to Windows Phone 8.1? Check out this handy guide: How to Download and Install Windows Phone 8.1
The Slightly More Difficult Way: Leveraging Feem
For those who don’t have a computer or prefer a wireless solution, using an app like Feem is a viable alternative, albeit with some limitations. Feem allows file sharing over Wi-Fi, bridging the gap between different operating systems.
How to Use Feem for File Sharing:
- Download the Feem app for both your Android and Windows Phone devices. You can find it on the Google Play Store and the Windows Phone Store.
- Android: Google Play Store
- Windows Phone: Windows Phone Store
- Ensure that both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the Feem app on both devices.
- Allow Feem to scan for other devices on the network. All devices running Feem on the same network will appear in a list.
- Android: Tap the right arrow icon on the left side of the screen. You will see a list of folders on the right. Select the files you want to send from these folders.
- Android: Tap the right arrow icon above the ad at the bottom of the screen.
- Windows Phone: At this point, Feem will automatically connect to the Android device.
- Select the target device from the list of connected peers. Feem will start transferring the selected files.
Limitations of Feem:
- File Sharing on Windows Phone: While Android users can send a wide variety of files, Windows Phone users are currently limited to sending only photos. Feem’s developers are working on a new version that will enable full file sharing for Windows Phone 8.1 users but until then, it’s primarily designed for receiving files from Android.
- Background Operations: Feem cannot run in the background on Windows Phone and will display a persistent notification prompting you to open the app.
- Ads in the Free Version: The free version of Feem includes ads, which can be somewhat annoying.
While these limitations make Feem a bit more of a hassle, it remains a great option for sharing files between Android and Windows Phone devices without relying on the internet and a computer.
Alternatives to Feem:
While Feem is a popular option, there are other apps available for file sharing between Android and Windows Phone devices. Some popular alternatives include:
- SHAREit
- Xender
- AirDroid
Choosing the Right Method
Ultimately, the best method for sharing files between Android and Windows Phone depends on your individual needs and preferences.
- For convenience and speed, using a computer is the simplest option.
- If you prefer a wireless solution, Feem offers a relatively straightforward way to share files, even though it has a few limitations.
Regardless of the method you choose, you can now easily share files between your Android and Windows Phone devices. Keep experimenting with different apps and techniques to find the best workflow that suits your needs!
