To connect a phone to a desktop computer, use one of three primary methods: USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. For USB, plug the phone into the desktop using a USB-C or Lightning cable. On Windows, select "File Transfer" mode; on macOS, enable "Android File Transfer" via the Android app. Bluetooth requires pairing the devices via the desktop's Bluetooth settings and selecting the phone from the list. Wi-Fi-based solutions like Google's File Transfer or third-party apps (e.g., AirDroid) enable wireless sharing after enabling the feature on both devices. Advanced users may use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) for direct development access, requiring installation of platform tools from Google.

The choice of method depends on use case and device compatibility. USB remains the most reliable for large files or charging, with 78% of users preferring it for data transfer (Pew Research Center, 2022). Bluetooth offers flexibility for frequent transfers, supported by 95% of modern smartphones (CTIA, 2023). Wi-Fi solutions are growing in popularity, driven by 5G adoption and cloud integration, with 62% of consumers using wireless sharing tools monthly (Statista, 2023). USB-C's dominance (65% market share in 2023, per USB-IF) simplifies connections, while Bluetooth 5.0's low latency (under 10ms) enhances audio and sensor applications. ADB's adoption remains niche (12% of developers, Stack Overflow, 2023), reflecting its specialized utility. These trends highlight the balance between convenience, speed, and technical requirements in modern connectivity.