Unsolved
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
43
February 21st, 2026 21:39
Viewing my phones files?
Windows 11 drives me crazy in this one way and I don't know how to fix it. I miss seeing the path to find various devices connected to my computer and the files they contain. My specific concern now is that I want to access files on my phone when it is connected by a cord to my laptop. I'm wanting to transfer pictures to my laptop. My phone is connected to my laptop via phone link so I can see text messages, etc. I want to connect my phone via a cable and transfer files of pictures that way. I've watched YouTube videos, but my laptop does not show what they are able to get on the screen. I've tried to get Dell Support to help me, but it replies that it can't do it at this time. Can anyone help me?
anne_droid
6 Professor
•
1.4K Posts
0
February 22nd, 2026 11:23
Hi
Well this is not a DELL technical problem, but if you give more details about the phone, computer etc some one may be able to help.
Please can you confirm the Make Model and OS, along with any configuration details like touch screen, backlit keyboard, SFF or tower etc etc.
Myself I use Linux mainly, so I can try, after we get more details.
Any screenshots?
You can connect a smartphone to a Dell PC either by cable (USB) or wirelessly; the steps mainly depend on whether it’s Android or iPhone and what you want to do (files, photos, or full screen).
Phone type: Android or iPhone?
Goal: file transfer, photos only, or see/control phone screen?
and then we get the results of a good internet search.............
Plug the phone into the Dell with a good USB data cable.
Unlock the phone, pull down the notification shade, tap the USB message.
Change USB mode to File transfer / MTP (or “Transferring files”).
On the Dell, open File Explorer → This PC → your phone appears as a drive; open it and browse DCIM, Downloads, etc.
You can now drag/drop files between phone and PC.
On Windows 11, open Phone Link from Start.
Choose Android, sign into your Microsoft account.
On the phone, install Link to Windows / Phone Link from Play Store if prompted.
Follow the QR-code pairing on both devices and accept permissions.
You’ll then see messages, calls, photos, and some apps directly in the Phone Link window.
Enable Developer options → USB debugging on Android (Settings → About phone → tap Build number 7× → back to System → Developer options → USB debugging on).
Install a mirroring app on the PC (e.g., AirDroid Cast, scrcpy).
Connect phone via USB, trust the PC on the phone, then select the device in the mirroring app.
Your phone screen will then appear in a window on the Dell, often with mouse/keyboard control.
Connect iPhone to the Dell with a proper Lightning/USB‑C to USB cable.
Unlock iPhone and tap Trust this computer, then enter passcode.
On the PC, open Photos app → Import → From a connected device, and follow prompts to pull photos/videos.
Alternatively, open File Explorer → This PC → iPhone → DCIM to copy photos directly.
Install iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store.
Sign in with your Apple ID and turn on iCloud Photos.
In Windows Photos app and File Explorer, you’ll see an iCloud Photos entry where you can view and download iPhone photos that are in iCloud.
Connect iPhone with USB, trust the computer, then click the device icon in iTunes.
Use the Photos, Music, and other tabs to configure what to sync between iPhone and PC.
Android: Phone Link can transfer photos/files and show notifications over Wi‑Fi once paired; no cable needed after initial setup.
iPhone: iCloud for Windows syncs photos and some data in the background over Wi‑Fi/Internet; you do not need the cable except for first trust/backup operations.
(edited)