How to Change the Default Android USB Connection to File Transfer Mode, Picture Transfer Mode, etc.

By default, Android is set to Charging Mode when it detects a USB cable has been plugged in but we can change this to default to MTP Mode, PTP Mode, MIDI, or USB Tethering.

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Video Description
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When you plug in a USB cable to a modern Android smartphone, you'll likely get a notification to inform you that your device is currently in Charging Mode. If you want to transfer files from the smartphone over to your PC using that USB cable, you'll need to tap the notification to bring up a USB Preferences option.

This is a security measure Google has put in place for Android that helps to prevent malicious users from plugging the device in and transferring your accessible data to them. However, I understand that these extra steps can add up over time and in some instances it may be favorable to just default the device to File Transfer Mode (aka MTP or Media Transfer Protocol). Or maybe you want it to default to the Picture Transfer Protocol mode (aka PTP).

Either way, in this video I want to show you how to set the default USB Preference on Android to either MTP, PTP, MIDI, or USB Tethering Mode.

to start, we first need to enable the hidden developer mode settings menu.

I've shown how to do this before so if you have never done this on your smartphone or tablet then check the video description and I'll include a link to a tutorial so that you'll be caught up with me here.

Now, once you have enabled that hidden developer options menu, we can then start to scroll through all of those options
we're actually looking for the networking section which is almost half way through the list.

be on the lookout for an option called "Default USB Configuration" and tap it.
If you're on a Samsung device you'll see a toggle next to this option

this needs to be enabled if you want that new default option to work

Mentioned Links
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Step by Step Tutorial
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1. Intro [00:00]
2. Enable Developer Mode [01:45]
3. Locate the "Default USB Configuration" option [02:42]
4. Then select MTP File Transfer Protocol as default [03:25]
5. Or select PTP Picture Transfer Protocol [03:52]

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The Gear I Use
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[ManikArchitects]

I struggled to download photos from my new moto13 phone, and couldn't get through the Motorola customer service. Your videos helped to resolve the issue. Thank you so much for the videos.

[Anubalfer]

Thank you so much! I have been looking for a way to fix my data transfer problem for a very long time. I put it off for months because I simply could not find a solution. My phone wouldn't charge at all before, but when I fixed that in the USB settings, I couldn't then get my phone to transfer data unless I restarted my phone while connected to my PC. This solved the issue! My phone now connects to my PC for data transfer and my phone is charging fast again. What's more is I found a lot of useful features in developer mode like "mobile data always active" mode and pointer location data. I'm testing out some other options too like disabling absolute volume.

[MrSauld]

I really thought my USB port was broken until I found this video. Thank you!

[naturalobserver]

Thank you. I had the opposite issue where my Samsung A52 always defaults to transferring files - maybe they've been listening to most people's preferences :) - but I mostly connect to the laptop when need charging only. Developer mode worked beautifully!

[GR..]

bro thank you - as someone who downloads/ torrent a lot it was making me crazy to " switch the usb mode " every time !

[kwikd]

My stupid A71 won't go on transfer even tho it's the default setting. Still saying battery charging and if i select it, it goes to battery options. I hate this phone with a passion !

[foxwithgrapes]

you're a lifesaver
I sometimes forget to tap "usb controlled by this device" when I charge my phone and find the battery almost drained later
good thing my charger is also a powerbank so I could just carry it with me and charge my phone when I go out
thanks for the video!

[WujjuNoob]

THANK YOU SO MUCH BRO!!!
I Kinda Forgot that And Was Looking Everywhere in My Mobile... Lol You Made It Simple and Easy Again!!!

[kevinmoore]

Okay, on my Samsung, it was always throwing up an Allow/Deny dialog, which is a nuisance, and following your steps I managed to turn on developer mode and set the default USB behavior to transfer files, but it still throws up that same dialog. If I just plug in the phone without looking at it, the PC sees the phone but when I open it, it doesn't show the internal unless I unplug and replug the cable and manually answer Allow to the dialog if I can catch it in time (it goes away if you're not careful). Still looking for a way to have it automatically show up in Windows Explorer when I plug it in.

[parablax]

Thanks - helped me switch to file transfer mode on my broken screen

[jayeshkaushik]

Hi, I have changed default USB configuration to transfer images and transfer files too, still I do not get any notification or pop up when i plug any usb cable, it just charges the phone. Using andriod 11 and Samsung A30, pls help

[paulaann]

Hi and thank you so much for all your informative videos. I just wanted to ask, if I set the phone to "transferring files" which is the first option on my phone, will it transfer everything? ...images and video clips as well please? Because I want it to transfer everything.

[seannaeger]

Developer mode? Who would have thought. You saved my day! Now I can transfer files again. Thank you!

[jeffescortlx]

Thanks so much. This was driving me crazy. Once this is complete, should developer mode be put back off? Or will that put the settings back to factory default?

[andrewthomasfinney]

Big thumbs up for getting rid of the annoying default charge only option.

[noise]

THANK U SO MUCH. I HAVE A ONE PLUS NORD200 5G AND JUST GOT THAT ANDROID 12 UPDATE AND WHEN I GO TO TRANSFER THRU USB LIKE USUAL I GOT NOTHING. I STARTED PANICKING LIKE I THOUGHT MY PHONE JACK WAS BROKEN. I TRIED TO RESTART MY LAPTOP. MY PHONE. TRIED 3 DIF CHARGERS. AND NOTHING. WENT TO GOOGLE ND YOUTUBE FOR HELP. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH FOR UR HELP AND CUREING MY ANXIETY. I WAS SO SAD WHEN I THOUGHT I COULDNT TRANSFER ANYMORE. STEP BY STEP EVERYTHING WORKED PERFECTLY

[CactoCactus]

Thank you so much this helped with my MIDI Keybord

[MrSamBowers]

My LG Stylo 3 Android 7 won't change from Charging mode to File Transfer Protocol mode in Developer Options Mode. It's like the device driver file has been turned off or deleted. And I have already tried the restore the phone to factory settings. That, too, doesn't work. Is there a QUE like book for the Android OS? The ins and outs of the OS. I haven't found anything so far. I want to know if the OS has drivers? I want to know where they're at? What software editor does it take to change them? Is there a Android Registry similar to Windows Registry? If so how do you gain access to it to make changes? And what is the very best Rooting app for Android phones? So far none has worked.

[sydneywest]

by default my samsung note 10 was on file transfer mode until i saw this. thx fo the help

[ComeOneComeAll]

Android A12 Samsung - I found the Default USB Setting under the Developer Options. The options I see are the same as in this video except I don't have the choice for "No Data Transfer" nor is there any type of "toggle" to turn on or off to execute the command. I have it set to "Transferring Files" and there is still no change. The computer does not recognize the phone as connected. I tried all the other options on that screen - USB Tethering, MIDI, Transferring Images or Charging Phone Only. Nothing makes a difference however the phone is actually charging while connected to the USB. Any suggestions? Thank you!