Cannot connect my phone to machine

ICIT2LOL · Jul 12, 2022

I have some photos that I would like to download from my Google Pixel Pro 6 phone to my computer but it is just not being recognised as a USB connected device.
Any tips or info really appreciated.

Try3 · Jul 12, 2022

As a workaround, using whatever USB-C / MicroUSB adapter is necessary, connect a Fat32-formatted USB stick to the phone to copy the files to.
- The USB needs to be formatted Fat32 to avoid problems with Android apps.
- I use the Android app TotalCommander as my Android File manager but there are lots of choices [as long as you format the USB stick as Fat32].
- {added after Berton's post below} You can circumvent Fat32's 32GB limit using a variety of methods including Use MTPW to fat32 format large drives - Bree #11 - TenForums

Your photos are probably in a subfolder of DCIM such as DCIM/Camera on the main internal storage drive.

Best of luck,
Denis

Berton · Jul 12, 2022

A note adding to what @Try3 said, most USB Thumb drives come factory-formatted as FAT32, at least up through 256GB, largest I have on hand. FAT32 is commonly needed with Mac OS X/newer macOS and Linux, however Windows cannot format over 32GB as FAT32. Also of note is the limit of single-file-size of 4GB on FAT32.

Try3 · Jul 12, 2022

And now, to address the problem itself:

- I think that you need to get another USB cable to connect your phone to your computer. I think this is the most likely cause of the problem.
- If the replacement cable also shows the same problem then I suggest you try connecting your phone to somebody else's computer using both the original & the replacement cable.
- If the connection to another computer does not work then try connecting somebody else's Android phone to your computer.

Best of luck,
Denis

Winuser · Jul 12, 2022

Try3 said:
And now, to address the problem itself:

- I think that you need to get another USB cable to connect your phone to your computer. I think this is the most likely cause of the problem.
- If the replacement cable also shows the same problem then I suggest you try connecting your phone to somebody else's computer using both the original & the replacement cable.
- If the connection to another computer does not work then try connecting somebody else's Android phone to your computer.

Best of luck,
Denis

The USB cable could be a charging cable only and not a data cable. I have run into this problem a few times.

ICIT2LOL · Jul 12, 2022

Ok folks thanks for the tips I shall try the straight hookup as mentioned first because I don't know how to transfer files from the phone to the stick yet.
I remember doing this once before and it worked and that was on my main laptop perhaps the main desktop doesn't like doing this?

Try3 · Jul 12, 2022

ICIT2LOL said:
perhaps the main desktop doesn't like doing this?

I really do think the cable is the most likely culprit.

You have not mentioned your Android version. I've USB-connected up to version Android 11. I don't know if there are any special considerations for connecting Android 12 by USB.

Best of luck,
Denis

ICIT2LOL · Jul 12, 2022

Ok I have used a power cable instead of the smaller data cable and plugged in the phone to my main laptop running on Windows 10. It picks up the phone but says it has nothing in it?
Oh well it was worth a try and the photo I wanted was in text message anyway so I suppose it would not be found.

Try3 · Jul 12, 2022

ICIT2LOL said:
It picks up the phone but says it has nothing in it?

Your phone should bring up a dialogue box asking if you want to allow a data connection or just a charging connection.

Denis

bobkn · Jul 12, 2022

Some Android phones show up as a device when connected to a Windows PC. Mine (a OnePlus 7T) does not.

The Phone Link apps permit the connection.

idgat · Jul 12, 2022

Have/Do you check your pone for permission to connect/access? Seen a number of people "trapped" by this not realising when they connect, they need to check the phone to give access permission.

ICIT2LOL · Jul 12, 2022

No Denis I don't get a message to have data or charging connection it just shows the Pixel phone an icon in This PC.

Now as for permission to connect/access idgat I don't know on the phone just where that would be in the settings but the connections setting is greyed out on the phone so I cannot set it..

Try3 · Jul 12, 2022

ICIT2LOL said:
it just shows the Pixel phone an icon in This PC

So double-click on it then look at the phone screen.

Denis

ICIT2LOL · Jul 12, 2022

Ok I might have found a workaround I connected the phone via the 3.0 USB to the 3.0 USB port on my computer and it allowed the settings to be changed to transfer data. So am going to try it again on my desktop.

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