Connect your Android and your PC Moving photos, documents, or videos wirelessly is easier than it seems if you use CX Explorer (also known as CX File Explorer). In this guide, I'll explain how to set everything up in Windows, how to connect it from your phone, and what to do if something goes wrong along the way so you can fix it in a minute.
In addition to CX Explorer, you'll see SMB-compatible alternatives, security recommendations, and extra methods like NAS or the cloud, all with a practical and up-to-date approach, and with tools like Fast File TransferThe goal is to allow you to seamlessly copy, paste, upload, or download files between devices, while also keeping your storage organized.
What is CX Explorer and why it's perfect for sharing with your PC?
CX Explorer is a file manager for Android with a clean Material Design style interface that works on mobile, tablet and even Android TV, and its great virtue is that it combines simplicity with advanced features. It allows you to browse, copy, move, compress, rename, extract, and delete files on both internal memory and SD cards or USB drives.
In connectivity it stands out because it understands common network protocols such as SMB, FTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV and LAN, so you can access shared folders on your PC as if they were local. If you prefer, you can also activate an FTP server on your phone to access it from your computer and upload or download files using any FTP client.
To keep space at bay, incorporate utilities such as a visual storage analyzer that shows at a glance what takes up the most space, a trash can for recovering/deleting with a safety margin, and a cleaner capable of detecting junk files, duplicates, and applications you don't use.
If you usually work in front of the computer, some people recommend running it on the PC with tools like BlueStacks or controlling the phone from the big screen for more comfortable management, but it is not essential to share with the PC via local network.
Basic requirements and usage scenarios
For everything to work the first time, the PC and phone must be connected to the same local networkThe bare minimum: a Windows computer, your Android running CX Explorer (or similar apps, which you'll see below), and the PC folders shared via SMB with the appropriate permissions.
A common case in forums: suddenly the LAN transfer stops and the mobile shows “Access to storage denied” without having touched anything. If this happens to you (it's been seen, for example, on an Acer Spin 513), check the app's storage permissions in Android Settings and confirm in Windows that sharing is still active and that the folder is still published online with the expected permissions.
Details such as whether the mobile is on 5 GHz and the PC is on 2,4 GHz also play a role; sometimes this mix complicates the discovery of devices on the network, so it's a good idea. use the same Wi‑Fi band when you are going to link devices via SMB.
Configure Windows to share folders via SMB
Before you touch anything on Android, it's a good idea to get Windows ready for other devices to access your folders. The goal is to activate the file and printer sharing and publish the directories you are interested in sharing with the correct permission level.
Open the Network and Sharing Center. You can get there from the network icon: right-click, “Open Network & Internet Settings” and from there access the advanced panel. In the network profile you use (usually Private), make sure that the file and printer sharing is enabled.
Under “All Networks,” you’ll see the option for password-protected sharing. Turning it off simplifies access from Android because it won’t ask for credentials every time; if you prefer more security, leave it on and then enter your password in CX Explorer. Windows username and password.
To share a specific folder, go to its Properties → Sharing tab. Click “Share…”, add the group "Everybody" and define whether the permission will be read-only or read-write. From that moment on, the folder will be visible on the network, and you can open it from your mobile device with any compatible SMB client like CX Explorer.
Connect from Android: recommended apps
Fx file explorer
FX File Explorer stands out for its balance between simplicity and power, with compatibility with SMBv2In addition to SMB, it supports FTP, SSH, or WebDAV, and can automatically scan your local network for Windows computers.
After installing it, go to the network section (“Network” or similar), tap “Add” and choose “Windows Host (SMB)”. When you select the detected computer, you will access its shared folders as long as the PC and the mobile are in the same network. same Wi‑Fi and the permissions configured in Windows are met.
File manager
The generic file manager that comes with many Android phones or that you can download from the Play Store works very well and is also free. On the main screen, tap "Remote", add a new location, and let it search for devices. Select "Local Network", choose your PC, and access its folders with transparent access.
This manager accumulates almost 5 stars and over 100 billion downloads, which is a good sign of stability and that it delivers what it promises for everyday copying and synchronization tasks on the local network.
CX Explorer (Cx File Explorer)
In CX Explorer you will see three main tabs: Local, Library and NetworkTo connect to your computer, go to "Network" and tap "New Location" to scan available computers. Choose your PC and you'll see the shared folders. If you've set up passwordless access in Windows, you'll be logged in immediately. If not, enter your credentials.
As an extra, CX Explorer can activate a FTP server on your phone. This way, you can connect from your PC with a client like FileZilla to upload or download files from your phone without going through SMB if that's more convenient for you.
RS File Manager
RS Administrator offers a “Network” panel with options such as Cloud Drive, LAN, FTP or RemoteSelect LAN for SMB and browse the PC's folders. If you prefer traditional menus, open the side panel and go to "Network" to find the same access options.
It is a flexible application and, without requiring root permissions, allows network management with a smooth learning curve and full functions to copy, move and rename.
andSMB
AndSMB focuses on SMB and CIFS to access any shared folder from your LAN. It works over Wi-Fi and also over mobile data if you connect at home with a VPN, which is useful for securely accessing your resources when you're away.
It does not depend on external browsers nor does it need root, which makes it a direct, very powerful app with a clear configuration for authentication and permissions.
Samba on the web: much more than file sharing
Samba is the free implementation of the SMB/CIFS protocol used by Windows environments to share resources. With a Samba server on your network, various systems (Linux, macOS, Android, and Windows) interoperate seamlessly to share folders and printers.
In addition to files, Samba allows the network printing, sharing printers and centralizing queues, which is valuable when multiple computers and operating systems coexist at home or in a small office.
Another essential block is the user management and authenticationSamba supports granular access policies, integration with services like LDAP, and centralized credential control, making it easy to maintain security and order when you have multiple accounts.
In compatibility, Samba acts as a linking piece so that services work well in Windows environments and there are no surprises when connecting from Android or other systems, providing stability and coherence to network.
Safety measures you cannot neglect
- Strong passwords: Use long passwords with letters, numbers, and symbols for your Windows account and shared resources. If possible, use a password manager to avoid reusing combinations.
- Traffic encryption: When possible, use encrypted connections (e.g., SFTP instead of FTP) and consider using a VPN to add privacy and authenticity on insecure networks.
- Minimum permissions: Share only what's essential; if you don't need to edit from your mobile device, set it to read-only and limit the number of users with access to reduce your exposure.
- Daily updates: Keep Android, apps, and Windows updated. Many issues and vulnerabilities are fixed with patches, which should be applied as soon as possible.
- Avoid public Wi‑Fi: Don't share from open networks; if there's no alternative, use a VPN to protect sharing with encryption and verification.
- Backups: Make regular backups and keep at least one copy off-device (cloud or external drive), ideally using the 3-2-1 rule for greater resilience.
Other methods to share between PC and mobile
NAS
A NAS offers a very complete experience: lots of scalable space, detailed users and permissions, additional services and remote access If you configure it correctly, it does require investment and a bit more complexity than sharing folders in Windows.
You'll need a unit with bays and disks designed for continuous use, a location where the NAS has a good network, and time to configure it. For simple home use, a basic NAS or simply SMB on Windows is usually sufficient. more than enough.
Google Drive
If you don't move huge amounts of data, Google Drive is very convenient: it usually comes pre-installed, offers 15 GB free per account and works on mobile, web, and desktop. It's perfect for sharing and collaborating without having to rely on your PC being on.
The downside is the space if you run out (you have to pay) and you don't get the most out of your physical storage like you would with a NAS or SMB. In the Apple ecosystem, iCloud is a gift. 5 GBThe advantage of the cloud is that you can access it from anywhere and you don't need to leave any equipment on.
Common problems and how to solve them
The PC or folders are not showing up: Confirm that both devices are on the same local network. Make sure they're using the same band (5 GHz or 2,4 GHz) and restart your router, PC, and phone if detection fails; often, resetting the network restores visibility.
Firewall blocking SMB: Check your Windows firewall (and router, if applicable) to allow file sharing. Also, make sure your Windows network profile is set to Private when you're at home.
Incorrect credentials: If the folder is password protected, enter the correct Windows username and password in the app and verify that the account has permissions to the folder. If you only need to read, grant reading without writing reduces risks.
Unsecured network: Avoid sharing from public Wi-Fi. If you need to access your network from outside, create a VPN to your home so that traffic travels encrypted and the connection behaves as if you were on the Internet. Home LAN.
“Storage access denied” on Android: If the app loses permissions, go to Settings → Apps → CX Explorer and confirm the Storage permission. In specific cases (such as the aforementioned Acer Spin 513), reinstalling, re-granting permissions, and checking the sharing status in Windows usually helps. resolve the blockage.
More file sharing apps that support SMB
Most modern file explorers include clients for SMB, FTP, FTPES and SFTPIf your phone already has a powerful one, check its “Network” or “Remote” sections: you may not need to install anything else to access your PC's folders.
To connect from outside your home network, use a VPN: this way you travel through an encrypted and authenticated channel and your shared resources are accessible as if you were at home, with less exposure to Internet.
Final notes, recommendations and good practices
If you feel like trying out options, a balanced selection goes through Fx file explorer (for its SMBv2 support and good network discovery), Total Commander and the popular File Manager (easy, free, and with millions of users) and CX Explorer if you want a modern interface with cleanup and space analysis utilities. RS Manager and AndSMB round out the repertoire with equally valid approaches for LAN and CIFS/SMB.
Please note that some guides were updated a while ago (e.g. the July 20, 2021). Although SMB hasn't changed radically, always use the latest versions of Windows and apps to avoid bugs and vulnerabilities, and only download from official sources to minimize risks.
With Windows folders properly shared, an Android app that speaks SMB, and a few good security practices, transferring files between your phone and PC is a piece of cake. resolved quickly and safely on any home network, wirelessly and with the flexibility to choose the method that best suits you.
