Troubleshooting a Droid Transfer USB Connection

In most cases, simply connecting your Android device to your PC with a USB cable should establish a connection with Droid Transfer (after completing the initial setup as detailed in our quick-start guide).

If you're encountering issues with the USB connection, follow the steps below to resolve them.

How to ensure a successful USB connection with Droid Transfer

1. Verify that you're using the latest version of both Droid Transfer 2 AND Transfer Companion. You can check for updates in Droid Transfer Settings -> Updates.

   • Get the latest Droid Transfer update
   • Get the latest Transfer Companion app update

   Note: If you are using Droid Transfer 1, you'll need an older version of the Transfer Companion app. Find out how to get Transfer Companion 4.

2. Keep your phone's screen active with the Transfer Companion app open while using Droid Transfer. Avoid navigating away from the app.

   

3. Disable mobile data on your Android device during the connection. Mobile data can sometimes interfere with a USB connection. You can re-enable it after disconnecting.

4. Ensure your Windows Firewall is properly configured. Follow the instructions on how to configure Windows Firewall to allow Droid Transfer to connect to your phone.

5. Restart both your PC and Android device, then attempt the connection again. This can often resolve any lingering issues.

6. Check the USB settings on your Android device. Swipe down from the top of the screen, tap the "Charging this device via USB" notification, and select "File Transfer" under USB Preferences.

   

7. Verify that your device appears in Windows File Explorer when connected. If it doesn't, the issue may be related to the USB cable, port, or drivers.

   • Try a different USB cable— make sure it's a data-transfer cable, not just for charging.
   • Switch to a different USB port on your computer, as the original port might be faulty.
8. Ensure your device's USB drivers are installed on your PC. You can download the correct drivers from your device manufacturer's website.
   For example, I could download a Samsung Galaxy USB driver from Samsung's website, or LG Universal Mobile Drivers from LG's website.
   Please ensure that Droid Transfer is closed on your PC during the installation, and then relaunch it once the drivers have been installed.

If the USB connection still doesn't work after following these steps, try connecting your device via Wi-Fi instead.