PC won't recognize my Windows phone as external drive

[Loopus]

I’m trying to pull some photos off my phone by USB cable, but I can’t seem to get any computer to recognize my phone so that I can do so. I know that it used to work, I’m not sure when it stopped. I have a Lumia 1020 running Windows Phone 8.1 Lumia Denim. I’ve tried multiple data cables with my MacBook Air running macOS Sierra, my Lenovo Thinkpad T410 running Windows 7, and my girlfriend’s custom-built desktop running Windows 7. Nada on any of them. The phone charges, but the computer doesn’t recognize it.

The only real advice I’ve found online is to shut the phone off and then connect it, or to try the rear USB port, but neither of those things did anything.

Any advice?

[Colibri]

Thread title edited at request of OP.

[astro]

Windows Phone OS is a mystery to me but as a workaround a free Dropbox account will give you 2 gigs of storage space on a new account. Install Dropbox on the phone and PCs. Then using a wifi connection you can then easily throw the photos onto the Dropbox cloud from the phone then move them to the PC.

Get Dropbox for S mode from the Microsoft Store

[drachillix]

Try turning the phone off, plugging it into the PC, then turning the phone on.

I see many mentions of incompatibilities with win 8.1

Windows phone app for desktop may help too
http://www.windowscentral.com/tag/windows-phone-app-desktop

[Mangetout]

I have two Windows phones, but neither is running the Lumia Denim version of the OS. A couple of things to try:

On the phone running Windows Phone 10, there is a ‘USB’ subsection of the settings app - this may allow you to choose what happens when you connect it via USB to something else.
(Windows phone 8.1 (on my other phone) has no such option)

Do you have a PIN lock set on the phone - you will need to unlock the screen before it will serve up the contents of memory and/or SD card over USB.

One other possibility is that one of the data pins on the connector in the phone may be damaged - so it might still power and dumb-charge from USB, but be incapable of connecting for data.

One last-ditch idea… do you have a case fitted on your phone? Is it preventing full and proper insertion of the USB cable?

[Doug_K]

Another thing: I have a few USB cables that are for charging only - they don’t have the data wires.

[aceplace57]

Android requires a special option to allow USB to see the drive. It’s a major nuisance.

With a USB cable, connect your device to your computer.

Swipe down from the top of your device’s screen to see your notifications.

Tap the USB for… notification. Then tap Transfer files (MTP).

A File Transfer window will open on your computer. Use it to drag and drop files, just like with other external devices and storage.

When you’re done, eject your device from Windows.

Unplug the USB cable.

[aceplace57]

Btw, You have to go through that notification / transfer allow EVERY time you want to transfer files by USB. A PITA

I started using the X-plore app. It has a feature to host a phone folder that can be open through a PC’s web browser. You can copy, delete files. Create new folders.

You can only use the X-plore server inside your Wi-Fi network. People outside can’t reach it.

[Baron_Greenback]

@aceplace57

Btw,. You have to go through that notification / transfer allow EVERY time you want to transfer files by USB.

A PITA

Any insight into how Windows phones work?

[aceplace57]

I’ve only used Android Lollipop and Marshmallow.

I’d guess the other platforms have a similar feature to enable USB file transfers.

Basically Android is protecting the drive. Preventing system folders from getting damaged. USB file transfer can only access certain folders.

[voltaire]

He was gently indicating that you keep answering as if the OP asked about an Android phone when he was asking about a Windows phone.

[aceplace57]

I didn’t notice the OP had specified a Windows phone.

My bad. Never mind then.

[galen_ubal]

Okay, you’ve tried multiple computers, and I’ll assume you’ve tried different USB cords.
This page seems most germane, especially the bit about the drivers, quoted below:

Update your Windows Phone 8 driver
If Windows Device Manager indicates a device problem, or if the driver version of Windows Phone 8 that’s installed isn’t the current version, update the driver. To do this, follow these steps:

Connect your Windows Phone to your computer by using the USB cable that was included with your phone.
Windows 8 users:From theStartscreen, type “Device Manager,” tap or clickSettings, and then tap or click Device Manager.
Windows 7, Vista, and XP users: Click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties.
A window will appear with the name of your computer and a list of files. (If you don’t see the files, click the name of your computer.) The name of your Windows Phone 8 should be listed under Portable Devices. If Windows Phone was incorrectly installed, it may be listed with a yellow exclamation mark. Or, it may be listed under Other Devices as a USB device or an unknown device.
Double-tap or double-click Windows Phone (under Portable Devices) or the unknown device to open the Properties window.
On the Driver tab, tap or click Uninstall.
In theConfirm Device Uninstallbox, select Delete the driver software for this device and then tap or click OK.
Return to the Device Manager window. Tap or click the Action menu, and then tap or click Scan for hardware changes.
Open Portable Devices, double-tap or double-click the name of your Windows Phone, and then click the Driver tab.
Note If you don’t see your phone’s name, tap or click the unknown device that is listed under Other Devices, and then tap or click the Driver tab.
Tap or click Update Driver.
Tap or click Browse my computer for driver software.
Tap or click Browse, locate the C:\Windows\Inf\ folder on your computer, and then click OK.
Click Next and if you’re prompted, click Install. You may only be given a Close option.
After the driver installation is complete, close the open windows until you exit Device Manager. Restart your computer if you’re prompted.