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Chrome OS Adds USB File Transfer Support for Android Devices

By under ChromeOS

mtp-files-app

Google has pushed out a new stable release of Chrome OS, adding native support for the widely used Media Transfer Protocol (MTP).

The arrival of the long-sought feature, which has been available to beta and dev channel users since earlier in the year, means you can now transfer files from a compatible Android device to your Chromebook without using the cloud.

To try it out, connect your Android smartphone or tablet to your Chromebook via USB and unlock the screen. The Chrome file manager should automatically open (as will Google+ Photos if installed on your Chrome device) from where you can browse, open and copy files across.

Write operations are not currently supported so you won’t be able to create folders, rename files or add media. But you can transfer content from your Android device to your Chromebook or Chromebase by dragging and dropping — which is more than you could do before!

Google Chrome OS 38(.0.2125.101, stable) is rolling out to all devices, excluding Chromeboxes. Head to Settings > About for more information.

As ever, today’s updated build also contains a batch of bug fixes, security updates and other changes including, Google say, features aimed at enhancing touch screen accessibility.

Source: Google Chrome Releases (h/t The Mukt)
  • Paulo

    Why no support for chromeboxes aren’t they running the same OS.

    • They are, but not every device is running the same hardware — which means there can be bugs of last-minute delays in rolling a feature (especially one related to hardware) to all devices at the same time.

      Assuming the bug can be fixed before the next minor stable update, it’ll get it then.

      • Boothy

        Be interesting to know what the blocker was.
        Only because I’ve been running 38-beta on my Series 3 Box, and not noticed anything.
        Just curious, not moaning……

  • Underdog

    Way cool! I just plugged in my Kindle Fire HDX and shazaam! Has not done that until now! Works like a champ.

  • ForSquirel

    Just use airdroid and have no issues. Only time you’d ever need to plug in is when you’re not on a network. Plus you can have write privileges all day long.

    • Marcel Jeannin II

      I’m gonna have to check that out, airdroid,thanks

    • Alucard291

      Wifi file transfer pro works wonders as well if one doesn’t wish to end up addicted to a subscription based product.

      • ForSquirel

        airdroid is subsription based? I’ve never paid for anything or signed up either.

        • Mike C.

          many chromebooks come bundled with a free year now. also you can transfer a certain amount a month for free but it’s not much.

  • Marcel Jeannin II

    Instead of usb how about over Bluetooth? That would be great.

    • wifi is better

    • Mike C.

      you can do wifi with airdroid and many chromebooks and chromeboxes come bundled with airdroid for free now.

  • Pietro Giovani

    +1 airdroid !! but nice to be able to connect android phone to chromebook

  • Boothy

    Anyone familiar with Chromium issues and know how write permissions are progressing?

  • Mike C.

    dude seriously it’s about time. Google developed both so it’s crazy they can’t integrate natively like if I bought an iphone and it didn’t work when plugging it into an imac

    • Deftdrummer

      Still not working with my Acer c720 and Nexus 6. Until Google adds write support it may as well be a Mac / iPhone relationship they have produced for their devices anyway -nice and closed.

  • THE NOODLE

    Still not working on Toshiba Chromebook 2.

  • Lou G

    I hate when updates take forever to get to my Samsung ARM chromebook -_- I want my brand spanking new Droid Mini to do this already! (yes, I finally caught up with the digital age LOL)

  • Reggie Romero

    How do you use the webcam on my Acer Chromebook? I can’t find any app or extension to activate it.

    • Josh

      On the C720 there should be a “Camera” app in the launcher. That opens up a photobooth type window.

  • Derek

    I have xe303c12-a01us and a galaxy s5 active, which would be nice to connect to my chromebook, but it still does not….

  • lermdoodles

    Still not working on Acer C720.

  • Zheng

    not working on asus c200ma :(

  • Cathal Brugha

    Oh, you can read but not write – amazing!
    “It’s more than we could do before!”

    So? That’s still terrible compared to Linux Distros which can not only recognise, but also have their own music clients to manage music and write to any media device. Seriously, Google need to step this up.

    • MTP Write support is currently in testing on Chrome OS — so it’s potentially on the way.

      Google Chrome is a very fast moving project with new releases every couple of weeks. This means new features/functionality arrives as it’s ready as there is no “one big release”.

  • armin

    can we download Chrome OS? may i have a link to it?

  • Well, try Coolmuster Android Assistant, we can use it to move almost everything from android phone to computer, and we can also use it to manage apps, contacts on computer, have a try!

  • dan taylor

    This is all bollox, I don’t know a single person who can do this. Lies all Google lies. Mac dont talk to samsung who dont talk to chrome who dont talk to android who dont talk to Macs who dont talk to IE11 who dont talk to Linux who dont talk to real plyer who dont talk to flash who dont talk to……………………………………………………….

  • Julie Brennan

    This worked great for a day when transferring pictures to Facebook on my Acer C720. Then it just stopped. Sometimes you can’t find the phone in your files. Sometimes you find the phone but no options to access the folders. Sometimes the pictures come up and you can select them but can’t transfer them. Sometimes they come up and it looks like they will transfer but it doesn’t do anything.

  • Polskder

    After google android file transfer, I find Vibosoft Android Mobile Manager, Coolmuster Android Assistant, iStonsoft Android File Manager

  • Ken M

    Not working on my HP 14″

  • Rachael Hughes

    how do i put music from my laptop to my computer

  • Ada Turanli

    It’s been working for a couple months when I connect my Samsung Galaxy s2 i9100 to my Acer C720 Chromebook but now it suddenly stopped working. Has anybody else had this problem?

    • Alex B

      Similar problem with my Philips android phone and my Asus C300 Chromebook. Not working any longer.

    • Sheray Nicholee

      Yes. Iys fairly annoying

  • Degru

    This is still spotty. It’s hilarious how Google can’t even get MTP file transfer functioning in their own OS. Both Windows and Linux support it better than ChromeOS at this point, and ChromeOS is built on Linux.

  • Queue

    It worked with my tablet for a while…. then it just stopped recognizing the device.