How to access files from your computer using your Android phone

There are probably hundreds of different apps and services that let you access your phone’s files from your PC.
But in this article, I’ll show you how you can easily manage your PC files from your phone with Google Drive using a method that’s
super simple and straightforward. Let’s get started!

Setting Up Google Drive on Your PC

First, you need to install Google Drive on your Windows computer and sync your files. Here’s what to do:

• Download and install Google Drive for Windows.
• Sign in with your Google account.
• Choose which folders should be synced with Google Drive.
• By default, Drive suggests syncing the Documents and Downloads folders.
• You can add as many folders as you want—just make sure you have enough storage space.
• The free plan gives you 15 GB of space, and If you’re subscribed to Google One, you won’t need to worry about space limitations.

That’s it! Once your folders are selected, Google Drive starts syncing them in the background.

Accessing Your Synced PC Files on Your Phone

Now that your files are synced, here’s how to see them on your phone:

• Open the Google Drive app on your phone.
• By default, My Drive is selected, but we need to access our PC files.
• Tap “My Computer” from the top right OR swipe left with two fingers to go to the Computers tab.
• You’ll see your synced computer (whether it’s a desktop or laptop).

You can now tap on your computer’s name to access all of your synced folders and files.

Managing Your PC Files from Your Phone

Once you’re inside your computer’s folder, here’s what you can do:

• Browse through your synced folders and open files.
• Use accessibility actions to find more options and rename your computer, check details, or change the color for easier identification.
• Even add your PC folder to your home screen, which I think is awesome!
• Delete files from your PC directly from your phone.

Real-Time Syncing – How It Works

Any change you make syncs instantly between your PC and phone:

• Download a new PDF on your PC? → It will show up on your phone.
• Move a file into a synced folder from your phone? You’ll see it on your PC.
• Delete a file from your phone? It moves to the Recycle Bin on Windows.
• Delete a file from your PC? It goes to Google Drive Trash and will be permanently deleted after 30 days.

Final Thoughts

And that’s it! No extra apps, no complicated setup—just Google Drive doing all the work.
This method is super handy if you want quick access to your PC files from your phone without any hassle.