Tip of the Week: Drag and Drop Between Android and Windows

Smartphones have proven to be excellent devices for enhancing an employee’s ability to be productive while mobile. However, this approach often means that company work is now on an employee’s mobile device, instead of on your network. This issue can be easily resolved if the mobile device in question runs the Android OS. We’ll go over how for this week’s tip.

Android-to-PC File Transfers
Due to the fact that an Android device allows you direct access to its file system, it can essentially serve the same purpose as your standard external hard drive. Just as you would plug an external hard drive into a computer to move data, you can most likely use the charging cable for your device to connect it to your workstation.

Once your smartphone is connected and unlocked, you should be able to find a notification informing you that the device is charging. Tapping the notification will bring up a menu of the USB connection capabilities, for which one option is “Transfer files.” With that enabled, open File Explorer on your workstation. Your Android device should be accessible through the File Explorer menu.

Accessing your device this way will allow you to browse through your files and copy them over to your PC.

Safely Leveraging BYOD
Of course, security should always be your first concern when implementing a new process. Even a process as small and simple as transferring files from a mobile device needs to be approached mindfully for the business’ safety. A Bring Your Own Device, or BYOD, strategy may be tempting to implement to help cut the costs of equipping your entire staff with company mobile devices. However, if you elect to enact BYOD practices, you need to be sure that you are properly prepared to deal with any risks associated with them. That’s where we come in.

k_Street Consulting, LLC can help you to establish a BYOD strategy that meets the needs of your business--without exposing it to undue risk. Call (202) 640-2737 to get started.