How to Get the Graphics On Your Phone Onto Your Computer

You can also send graphics between phones with picture messaging services.

Many people use mobile phones for graphics and pictures. However, you may not know how to transfer those graphics from your phone to your computer hard drive. You may have taken pictures with your phone, used cell-based Internet access for downloading graphics or used a storage medium, such an SD card. You can use at least five technologies that might exist in both your phone and your computer to get graphics or images from one device to the other.

Things You'll Need

• Cell phone USB cable (optional)
• Wireless application protocol "WAP" Internet service (optional)
• Memory card reader (optional)

Instructions

1. Use the native device synchronization software in your computer's operating system to transfer graphics from the phone. In Microsoft Windows 7, this software is called "Device Stage," and in Apple Mac OS X 10.6, it is called "iSync." After you connect your mobile phone to the computer's USB port, the software is able to reveal the contents of the phone on your computer screen. From there, you can retrieve graphics. The advantage of the software is that it is free, widely compatible and readily available to most users.

2. Install synchronization software that was included by the manufacturer of your mobile phone, such as Motorola, HTC or Samsung. This software is available on an installation CD in the original packaging or you can download it from the company's website. After connecting the USB cable between the phone and the computer, you can use the software to get the graphics. The advantage of using these applications is that you don't have to spend extra time finding phone-specific hardware device drivers.

3. Download and install the cell phone service provider's synchronization software onto your computer, such as AT&T, Sprint or Verizon Wireless. Connect your phone to the computer via USB cable and transfer the files. This software is generally free as a paying customer. The phone's drivers are also conveniently included.

4. Remove the memory card that is storing your graphics from the phone. Insert the memory card in the card reader on your computer. If your phone uses microSD or miniSD flash memory, you might need to use an adapter that can fit standard SD readers or into USB ports. Open the "My Computer" (Windows) or "Finder" (Mac OS X) features on your computer and find the memory card's drive letter (D, E, F). Open the files on the card and use copy-and-paste features to get the graphics from the phone.

5. Attach the graphics on your phone to an email message. Send the message to yourself. Access your email account on your computer. Download the attached graphics to your computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Bluetooth dongles for PCs is an alternative to using a USB data cable to transfer files. Most mobile phones already have Bluetooth capabilities. Also, most of the software applications in this article can recognize this technology.

• Contact the technical support department at your cell phone service provider to learn about how and where to obtain the USB data cable. Also, you can visit local stores and kiosks that might sell these products.

• Some graphics that came with your phone's original purchase, such as backgrounds and screensavers, are stored in built-in memory areas of the cell phone that may be inaccessible through any of the techniques mentioned in this article.

References

• Microsoft: Windows 7 -- Sync Music, Pictures, Contacts and Calendars With a Mobile Device
• Apple: Mac OS X 10.6 Help -- About iSync
• Samsung: What's New PC Software for Mobile Phone?
• Verizon Wireless: V CAST Media Manager 2.0 -- Windows: Transfer Media Files
• Microsoft: Windows 7 -- Using Flash Memory Cards
• Microsoft: Windows 7 -- Send Pictures in E-Mail

Resources

• Microsoft: Windows 7 -- Compatibility Center
• Apple: Support: Downloads