Transfer files between Android devices.

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PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#245157 21-Jan-2019 16:52

I need to find a simple and reliable way of transferring photo files from a Samsung A5 phone to a Lenovo Tab8 tablet.
BUT
I will be out of internet coverage much of the time, so want the transfer to be off-line.

I have an OTG cable that appears to be working, with the Tab8 as host.

However, using X-Plore, I cannot find a way to see the DCIM folder on the A5, to initiate a transfer.

If I use File Commander, again I cannot see the remote folder. If I set up "PC File Transfer" (in File Commander), I get to connect to the remote folder using a web browser, but cannot get it to transfer the files.

I suspect my problem is not knowing how to use the software - rather than the hardware set-up.

If there is a simple way to use WiFi Direct, I'm up for that, but I've been equally unsuccessful there too.
Using a cable SHOULD be more straightforward - I think.

What else do I need to tell you?

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#2164890 21-Jan-2019 17:00

Resilio Sync. Easy. Goes direct, doesn't need internet, does need WiFi. I sync all my devices, plus PCs from around the world to my PC.

Oblivian

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#2164894 21-Jan-2019 17:06

The majority of big players have tools that install on nearly any ol device

Samsung = Smart Switch https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sec.android.easyMover

Huawei = Phone CLone https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hicloud.android.clone&hl=en_SG

Of which you can use wifi or BT.

Dingbatt

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#2164941 21-Jan-2019 18:29

I guess you can't put a PC in the middle? Out of internet range implies this, so ignore the following if that is the case.

After trying all sorts of file transfer apps the simplest and quickest way I use is to connect both to my windows laptop and use file explorer to drag and drop.

Samsung Smart Switch sets up a hotspot to transfer files. But I must admit I have only ever used it to initially set devices up.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2164947 21-Jan-2019 19:06

From what I can see, Samsung SmartSwitch would be good to copy files from the Lenovo to the Samsung: but not the other way, which is what I need.

Lenovo have a similar App called Cloneit. Should to the trick .... except (for some reason) it is not compatible with the Tab 8, probably because it is not a phone?? (no phone or 4G capability).

And No - don't want to put a computer in between.

Resilio Sync is way more elaborate than I need, but it may come down to that if nothing else will do the job.

Can't believe how hard it appears to be to get two Android devices to talk to one another .

Jase2985

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#2164960 21-Jan-2019 19:44

SD card? or a USB stick and adapter?

i copy things from my phone to tablet that way, just need a USBC to USB adapter for my phone. and the inbuilt file explorer

timmmay

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#2165009 21-Jan-2019 20:27

Seriously, Reslio Sync (Android link this time). It'll take a bit of time to work out how to use it the first time, but if I was setting this up it'd take 5 minutes including download and install.

Just install on both, set up a "backup" folder on one, send the link to the other and add to the device, approve on the first device, done. Then just run sync on both devices at the same time, any time, and it'll sync at whatever speed your WiFi can do.

PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2165015 21-Jan-2019 20:46

So, does it create it's own WiFi?

Quic Broadband

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timmmay

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#2165020 21-Jan-2019 20:53

It connects to a WiFi router, but doesn't need internet. If you have no router you'll need to establish connectivity somehow before it'll work. I misdeed that part sorry.

PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2165021 21-Jan-2019 20:58

So, that won't work then :-(

Jase2985

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#2165022 21-Jan-2019 21:04

USB-C to USB-A*

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPUNI1032/Unitek-Y-A025CGY-USB31-Type-C-to-USB-A-Adapter-Con

and

Micro USB to USB-A*

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPEDT1001/ednet-micro-USB-Type-B-M-to-USB-Type-A-F-Adapter

and a USB stick

use a file manager programe like es file explorer (some pople dont like this)

find folder/files on one device, copy to usb, plug into other device copy to device

done

* i googled the connectors they might be different

timmmay

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#2165027 21-Jan-2019 21:16

WiFi Direct sounds promising.

According to specs I can see online they both have Micro SD cards. Just copy to the card, plug into the other, copy it off again.

PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2165059 21-Jan-2019 22:40

Jase2985:
USB-C to USB-A*

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPUNI1032/Unitek-Y-A025CGY-USB31-Type-C-to-USB-A-Adapter-Con

and

Micro USB to USB-A*

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPEDT1001/ednet-micro-USB-Type-B-M-to-USB-Type-A-F-Adapter

and a USB stick

use a file manager programe like es file explorer (some pople dont like this)

find folder/files on one device, copy to usb, plug into other device copy to device

done

* i googled the connectors they might be different

Looks like this may be what I have to go with, until Google manages to provide Android to Android transfers.
I've transferred some files from the A5 to a USB stick, but now will have to buy a different adaptor to allow the transfer from USB stick to the Lenovo.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

1eStar

1604 posts

Uber Geek

#2165064 21-Jan-2019 22:50

I've tried various methods over the years. Used a mobile Wi-Fi to transfer wirelessly with varying successes. Most reliable is to transfer using an otg cable and some flash memory, ie usbkey or sdcard with reader etc. Never figured a direct method

fe31nz

1233 posts

Uber Geek

#2165075 22-Jan-2019 04:23

Set up a WiFi hotspot on one device and get the other to connect to it. Then you should be able to use X-plore's WiFi file sharing mode.

ZMF

12 posts

Geek

#2165081 22-Jan-2019 06:07

I have tried various WiFi apps for transferring lots of files (30GB+) with no real success. The most reliable I found is to use a PC, which might not solve your problem. I use goodsync (https://www.goodsync.com/download?os=windows) and Goodsync Explorer.

However if you find a direct solution I am also interested. After all these years I would think something so simple should be possible....

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