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For a large video, connect your unlocked Android phone to the Windows PC with a USB data cable, choose File Transfer on the phone, and copy the video to the PC. This makes a direct local copy without uploading the file to cloud storage first. If you want it to play in an OBS scene, use the copied file as a local source; you do not need to upload it to YouTube.
Transfer the video over USB
- Unlock the Android phone and connect it to the PC with a USB cable that supports data transfer.
- On the phone, tap the notification saying it is charging via USB.
- Under Use USB for, select File Transfer.
- In the Windows file-transfer window, find the video. Phone-camera recordings are often in the
DCIMor camera folder. Copy the file into a clearly named folder on the PC’s local drive. - Wait for the copy to finish. Eject the phone from Windows, then unplug it.
Copy time depends on the file, phone, cable, USB ports, and computer; no single transfer-speed estimate applies to every setup. Google notes: “Not all USB cables can transfer files.” If the phone only charges or does not appear in Windows, try another data-capable cable and, if needed, another USB port or computer. Google’s instructions are at Transfer files between your computer & Android device.
Send it wirelessly with Quick Share
Quick Share is a convenient alternative if you do not want to connect a cable. Android 6 or later includes Quick Share. For Google’s Windows app, the PC must be a 64-bit desktop or laptop running Windows 10 or later; ARM PCs need Windows 11 or later. Samsung PCs should use Samsung’s Quick Share app from Microsoft Store: Google’s Windows app is no longer supported on Samsung PCs.
- Install or open the appropriate Quick Share app on the PC.
- Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the PC and phone. Keep the devices nearby and discoverable.
- Select the video on the phone, choose Quick Share, and select the PC as the recipient.
- Accept the incoming transfer on the PC and wait for it to complete.
Google recommends keeping the devices within 5 metres. The recipient must accept transfers from another person or device. Google says Quick Share transfers are end-to-end encrypted; see its Quick Share app: Android to Windows PC file transfer information. Wireless speed and completion depend on the devices and radio conditions, so do not assume it will be faster than USB for a large file.
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- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
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- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
Which transfer method should you use?
| Method | What you need | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB File Transfer | Unlocked phone and data-capable cable | Direct local copy of a large file | A charge-only cable or connection problem can stop Windows detecting the phone |
| Quick Share | Compatible PC, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, nearby discoverable devices | Sending without a cable | PC compatibility differs; Samsung PCs should use Samsung’s app |
| Phone Link | Supported Android and Windows software connected as Microsoft specifies | Integrated Windows file exchange | Its documented drag-and-drop option is limited to selected Android manufacturers and files up to 512 MB each |
| Google Drive | Google Account and internet access | When the phone and PC are not together | The file must upload from the phone and download to the PC, using data and time |
Phone Link: a limited option for large files
Microsoft documents file exchange through Phone Link and Link to Windows, but its drag-and-drop feature is not available on every Android device and cannot transfer a single file larger than 512 MB. It also supports up to 100 files at a time. Microsoft documents another Android-to-PC sharing route through the share drawer, with received files stored in DownloadsPhone Link; requirements depend on the current Phone Link and Link to Windows versions. Check Microsoft’s Seamlessly transfer content between your devices guidance before relying on it for a particular phone.
Google Drive: use when direct transfer is not practical
Drive can bridge the distance between a phone and PC, but it adds an upload and a download. For a large video, that can use substantial internet data and take longer than a direct local transfer. No India-specific transfer speed or cost follows from the method itself; those depend on your connection and account arrangements.
Rank #2
- Solid state performance with up to 800MB/s read speeds in a portable drive. (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Back up your content and memories on a storage solution that fits seamlessly into your mobile lifestyle.
- Take it with you on your adventures—up to two-meter drop protection means this durable drive can take a beating. (Based on internal testing.)
- Secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind thanks to the tough rubber hook.
- From Sandisk, a brand professional photographers trust to take on assignments.
Play the copied video in OBS
If the file is meant to appear during a live stream, add it to the OBS scene as a Media Source and select the copy on the PC. OBS lists these supported Media Source formats: .mp4, .ts, .mov, .flv, .mkv, .avi, .gif, and .webm. For a playlist, OBS documents a VLC Video source; VLC must be installed, and 64-bit OBS requires a 64-bit VLC build. Consult OBS’s Media Sources documentation for the source options.
This is local playback from your PC, not a YouTube upload. Avoid transcoding the file just to move or load it unless you have a specific compatibility need; conversion takes time and may reduce quality.
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- Capacity Display Variance: 500GB external ssd often appears as around 465GB on Windows. MacOS can show full 500 GB capacity. This is binary calculation difference and doesn’t affect SSD hard drive actual physical storage
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- Always Fast: No slowdowns for large file transfers. With SLC caching (25% of current available capacity allocated as high-speed cache), this external SSD delivers steady 10Gbps for transfers within the cache capacity
Upload it to YouTube only if you want a published video
Uploading a video for viewers is a separate task from transferring it to the PC or playing it in OBS. In YouTube Studio on a computer, sign in, choose Create, then Upload videos, and select the local file. The upload imports the file; publishing is the step that makes it available to viewers. HD and 4K processing time can vary with quality, duration, format, and traffic. See Upload YouTube videos – Computer.
YouTube’s upload encoding guide lists MP4, H.264 video, and audio codecs including AAC-LC or Opus, and recommends uploading at the frame rate at which the content was recorded. The guide’s detailed recommended settings are explicitly for YouTube Studio Content Manager partners, not a compulsory consumer preset. Its bitrate recommendations concern upload encoding, not the speed of copying a file from phone to PC. See YouTube recommended upload encoding settings.
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- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is a YouTube channel that keeps prerecorded videos looping 24/7, rather than playing a file from a PC during a stream, StreamNeo is a separate cloud option. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo plays uploaded videos; it does not stream from a camera, and it streams to YouTube only. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. Each slot streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card, once per account. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. In India, UPI and cards are accepted. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- NEARLY 2X FASTER THAN OUR PREVIOUS GENERATION(8) – move 1,000 high-res photos in under 60 seconds(6) with up to 2000MB/s transfer speeds(2).
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- SPACE TO OWN YOUR AI CONTENT – speed and capacity to download your high-res clips and photo edits.
- 256-BIT AES ENCRYPTION(4) – helps keep private files secure with password protection.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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