Best file transfer apps for Android
File transfer apps move files between phones, tablets and computers or clone data to a new phone, with no cable, cloud account or email size limit.
9 apps ranked · How we rank
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Number 1: SHAREit: Transfer, Share Files
Smart Media4U Technology Pte.Ltd.
4.3 out of 5 (18.3M) 1B+ installs
A free, ad-supported transfer tool whose main strengths are fast device-to-device sending and phone clone.
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A free, ad-free file manager that makes clearing space and sharing files offline easy for everyday Android users.
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Number 3: SHAREit Lite - Fast File Share
Smart Media4U Technology Pte.Ltd.
4.3 out of 5 (699.7K) 100M+ installs
A free, ad-free file transfer tool that suits anyone moving large files between devices without using data.
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A focused, free transfer tool that moves the essentials between two phones over WiFi with minimal fuss.
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Number 5: Samsung Smart Switch Mobile
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
3.9 out of 5 (535K) 1B+ installs
Samsung's free migration tool is the straightforward way to move your data onto a new Galaxy, provided you meet its version and cable requirements.
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A free, broad one-time migration tool that suits anyone moving from Android to a new iPhone or iPad.
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A free, ad-supported phone clone and file transfer tool whose guided AI assistant makes large device-to-device moves less fiddly.
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A free, guided way to move photos, contacts and files to a new Android phone, best used once and then forgotten.
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A free, ad-free Android transfer tool that covers phone migration, cloud backup and duplicate cleanup in one app, with a mixed reception so far.
About file transfer apps
Switching phones, sending large photos and videos to friends without compression and moving work files between devices are the common jobs, and they skip the slow uploads of messaging apps. Some focus on speed over Wi-Fi Direct, others on encrypted transfers, and some on reaching desktop computers or phones on other platforms. They also differ in whether transfers work only between nearby devices or across the internet, how easy they are to set up, and which features are free or paid.
What to look for
- Check whether transfers happen directly between devices or through a remote server, because server-based transfers can be slower and may expose your files to a third party.
- Look at the security measures, such as end-to-end encryption and password protection, since files can contain personal or sensitive data.
- Consider cross-platform support if you need to send files to iPhones, Windows PCs, or Macs, as some apps only work between Android devices.
- See if the app works offline using Wi-Fi Direct or a local hotspot, which is useful when you have no internet or want to avoid mobile data charges.
- Find out how the app is paid for, whether through ads, a one-time purchase, or a subscription for extra features, and what you get for free.
How we rank
Apps are ranked by their Google Play rating (weighted by how many people rated them), their number of installs, how recently they were updated and how closely they fit the category. Only apps we've reviewed are included.