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Article ID : 00299105 / Last Modified : 15/09/2023Print

How to manage and transfer Xperia pictures to your computer - About the Album app & Google Photos

    In this article, we'll cover some basics of using the Album app or Google Photos and show you how to save your pictures on your computer (tap to jump to section). 

    Album app versus Google Photos

    All Xperia phones before the Xperia 1 II (released May 2020) have the Album app. Since 2020, all Xperia phones use Google Photos as a main picture management app.

    It is not possible to download the Album app on Google Play Store, as it is no longer supported. There are, however, third-party picture management apps you can use as an alternative. 

    Additionally, you can find all your pictures in the Files folder on your Xperia phone. 

    Google Photos Basics

    All the information on how to use Google Photos can be found in the Google Photos Help Center. 

    Album App Basics

    How to select all photos at once  

    How to move photos to a different folder in the Album app?  

    What if a picture is not displaying in the Album app and a broken image icon is shown?   

    How to hide web albums in the Album app?  

    How to customise date and/or time of an image in the Album app  

    How to transfer & download pictures from your Xperia phone to your computer

    You can transfer your pictures from your Xperia phone to your computer using the Files folder and by copying the DCIM folder. 

    What's a DCIM folder

    The DCIM folder stands for "Digital Camera Images." It is a standard folder name used on digital cameras, smartphones, and other devices to store photos and videos captured using the device's built-in camera. The DCIM folder is a common way for devices to organize and store image and video files in a structured manner.

    Within the DCIM folder, there are usually subfolders that further organize the media files. These subfolders might have names like "Camera," "100MEDIA," "2013-08-15," or similar. The naming conventions can vary based on the device and its operating system.

    When you connect a digital camera or a smartphone to a computer, the DCIM folder is the location where you can find the pictures and videos you've taken. This folder structure makes it easier to manage and transfer media files between devices and computers.

    What are the steps to transfer or copy pictures to your computer?

    1. Connect Your Phone to the Computer.
      Use a USB cable to connect your Android phone to your computer. Make sure the phone is unlocked and the screen is on.
       
    2. Enable File Transfer Mode (MTP):
      On your Android phone, when you connect it to the computer, you should see a notification in the notification shade. Tap on it and select "File transfer" or "Transfer files" (MTP mode). This enables the computer to access the phone's files.
       
    3. Access the Files Folder:
      Once connected and in file transfer mode, your computer should recognize the phone as a removable storage device. Open the "Files" or "File Explorer" on your computer to browse through your phone's files.
       
    4. Locate the DCIM Folder:
      Inside the phone's storage, navigate to the "DCIM" folder. This is where the camera pictures and videos are typically stored.
       
    5. Copy Pictures to Computer:
      Open the DCIM folder, and you will find subfolders with names like "Camera" or "100MEDIA." These folders contain your images and videos. Select the pictures you want to transfer and copy them (Ctrl+C on Windows or Command+C on macOS).
       
    6. Paste Pictures on Computer:
      Navigate to the destination folder on your computer where you want to save the transferred pictures. Paste the copied images (Ctrl+V on Windows or Command+V on macOS) into this folder.
       
    7. Eject and Disconnect:
      Once the transfer is complete, safely eject the phone from your computer. On Windows, you can do this by right-clicking on the phone's icon in the notification area and selecting "Eject." On macOS, drag the phone's icon from the desktop to the Trash.
       
    8. Check the Transferred Pictures:
      Open the destination folder on your computer to ensure that the transferred pictures are successfully copied.

    Remember that this method may vary slightly depending on your computer's operating system and the Android version on your phone. Additionally, ensure that the USB cable you're using is in good condition and your phone is set to transfer files (MTP mode) when connected.