Android USB file transfer not working on Windows? Check USB mode

On the phone, open the notification panel and tap the USB charging notification. Under Use USB for, choose File transfer. On a Samsung Galaxy, the option may be called Transferring files/Android Auto. If the phone asks whether to allow access to its data, approve the prompt only on a computer you trust.

Open File Explorer → This PC and select the phone, then open its internal storage. If the phone is listed but you cannot see its folders, unlock it and check the selected USB mode again. Copy a small file to the PC and open the copy before transferring a whole folder.

Charging can work with a cable that carries power only. Reconnect with a cable that has transferred files before. If that makes no difference, try another USB port directly on the PC. If possible, connect the phone to another computer or try another phone on the same PC and cable. That comparison helps you isolate the problem before changing Windows settings.

If File transfer is selected and Windows still does not show the phone, restart both devices and repeat the connection with the known data cable. For an urgent transfer, Google also documents Quick Share for compatible Windows PCs. When USB transfer works, let copies finish and eject the phone in Windows before unplugging.