Android → PC, Mac, Chromebook, or Linux
How to transfer photos and files from Android to a computer
QuickBeam transfers selected files from an Android phone or tablet to a computer through two browser pages. The receiving computer displays a QR code, and the Android device scans it to open a temporary sender page.
This is useful when you want to get photos from Android to a PC or Mac without finding a cable, signing into cloud storage, or installing desktop software. The files are encrypted in the sending browser and decrypted by the receiving browser.
Step-by-step instructions
-
Start on the destination computer
Open quickbeam.app in a current browser. The page creates a short-lived receiving session and shows its QR code.
-
Scan from the Android device
Use the Camera app's QR feature or Google Lens. Tap the quickbeam.app result to open the sender page in Chrome or your preferred browser.
-
Select what to send
Tap Choose Files and pick photos, videos, audio, documents, or other files from the Android picker. Tap Take Photo if you want to capture and send a new image.
-
Let the upload and download finish
Keep both screens active. QuickBeam encrypts the file in chunks on Android, temporarily stores only encrypted chunks, and downloads and decrypts them on the computer.
-
Open the computer's Downloads folder
The receiving browser saves completed files using their original names. Your browser settings determine whether downloads are automatic or require confirmation.
Good to know
- If the standard Camera app does not detect QR codes, use Google Lens or the QR scanner in Android quick settings.
- Disable battery-saving restrictions temporarily if Android pauses a long browser upload in the background.
- Use stable Wi-Fi for large videos and keep the sender browser in the foreground.
- The free transfer limit is five files, each up to 32 MB; the paid one-year version supports larger files and unlimited file count.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer Android photos to a computer without USB?
Yes. QuickBeam uses the browsers and network connection instead of a USB cable. Both devices need internet access and must remain on their transfer pages while the files move.
Does the computer need to be a Windows PC?
No. The receiver can be a Windows PC, Mac, Chromebook, or Linux computer with a supported modern browser.
Will QuickBeam remove files from Android after sending?
No. Sending creates a copy on the receiving computer. The originals remain on the Android device until you decide to delete them.