Transferring photos between folders on an Android smartphone seems like a simple task - until you come across the nuances. Some people want to free up space in Gallery, others sort pictures into albums, and still others try to hide personal photos from prying eyes. Unlike a computer, where dragging and dropping files is intuitive, on mobile devices the process depends on the version Android, manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel) and even installed Explorer.

Many users get lost when they don’t find the “Cut” button in the standard gallery or encounter the "Insufficient rights" error. This article covers all current methods photo transfer - from built-in tools to advanced techniques for advanced users. We will also look at why sometimes files are copied instead of moved and how to avoid it.

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1. Standard Android Explorer: basic method

The most universal method is to use the built-in one, which is available on any device with file manager, which is available on any device with Android 6.0 and newer. It does not require the installation of additional applications and works even without Internet access.

To open Explorer:

  • 📁 On most smartphones (Samsung, Huawei) find the application Files or My file in the menu.
  • 🔍 On "pure" Android (for example, Google Pixel) use Files by Google —it can be downloaded from Play Marketif deleted.
  • 📱 On Xiaomi look Explorer or Files in the folder Tools.

Transfer algorithm:

  1. Open folder with the original photos (for example, DCIM/Camera).
  2. Press your finger on one file, then select the rest (or press Select all).
  3. Tap on the icon ⋮ (three dots) → Cut (not "Copy"!).
  4. Go to the destination folder, click Paste.

☑️ What to check before transfer

Done: 0 / 4

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 14, One UI 5) after cutting, the files temporarily disappear from the gallery. They will appear again after restarting the device or updating the media database (may take up to 10 minutes).

2. Transfer via Google Photos: cloud method

If you need not only to move, but also sync photo between devices, use Google Photos. This method is suitable for account owners Google with backup enabled.

Instructions:

  1. Open the application Google Photos and find the pictures you need.
  2. Press your finger on the photo → select the rest → press ⋮ → Move to album.
  3. Create a new album or select an existing one. The photos will remain in the original folder, but will be duplicated in the album.
  4. To delete originals after transfer: go to Settings → Free up space.
Method Speed Internet required EXIF data is saved
Android Explorer ⚡ Instantly ❌ No ✅ Yes
Google Photos (albums) 🐢 1-5 minutes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Google Photos ("Free up space") 🐢 5-15 minutes ✅ Yes ❌ No (originals are deleted)

⚠️ Attention: When using the "Free up space" function Google Photos deletes originals from the device, leaving only compressed copies in the cloud. If quality is important to you (for example, for RAWphotos), it is better to use Explorer.

📊 Which photo transfer method do you use most often?
Via Explorer
Via Google Photos
Via computer
Application side

3. Third-party file managers: advanced features

Standard file managers are often limited. Third-party applications like Solid Explorer, FX File Explorer or Total Commander offer:

  • 🔄 Batch movement with filters by date/size.
  • 🔒 Working with root access (for system folders).
  • 📎 Tabs for quickly switching between folders.
  • 🔍 Built-in viewing of EXIF photo data.

Example of transfer to Solid Explorer:

  1. Open the application and provide access to storage.
  2. In the left panel, select the source folder (for example, /storage/emulated/0/DCIM), in the right - the target folder.
  3. Hold your finger on the files → Cut → drag and drop to the right panel.
  4. Confirm the transfer in the dialog box.
How to enable root access in Solid Explorer

To work with system folders (/data, /system), you need to get root access on the device, then activate it in the Solid Explorer settings option "Root access" and confirm superuser rights in the Magisk or SuperSU request.

⚠️ Attention: Applications with root access may violate the device warranty. On Samsung Knox this will trigger the flag Knox 0x1, which blocks the use of Samsung Pay and some corporate functions.

4. Transfer through a computer: for large volumes

If you need to move hundreds of photos (for example, after a trip), it is more convenient to use PC. This also solves the problem of “not enough memory” on the phone.

Step-by-step guide for Windows:

  1. Connect your smartphone to the computer via USB cable (use the original one for stability).
  2. On your phone, select the mode File transfer (MTP) in the connection notification.
  3. On the PC, open This computer → find the device (for example, Galaxy S23).
  4. Go to Internal memory → DCIM → Camera (or another folder).
  5. Select photo → Ctrl+X (cut) → open target folder → Ctrl+V (paste).

For MacOS installation required Android File Transfer (official software from Google). An alternative is to use AirDroid for wireless transfer.

💡

If the computer does not see the phone, try a different USB cable (cheap cables often only support charging). disable USB debuggingif it is enabled - this may block the MTP mode.

5. Automation of transfer: Tasker and scripts

For advanced users who regularly sort photos (for example, photographers or bloggers), suitable automation via Tasker or Termux.

An example task in Tasker to transfer new photos from DCIM to a folder Photos/Sorted:

  1. Create a new task → add an action File → Move.
  2. Indicate the source: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/*.jpg.
  3. Target: /storage/emulated/0/Photos/Sorted/.
  4. Add a time condition (for example, daily at 2:00).

Alternative - script on Bash v Termux:

#!/bin/bash

SOURCE="/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera"


DEST="/storage/emulated/0/Photos/Sorted"


mv "$SOURCE"/.jpg "$SOURCE"/.png "$DEST"/


termux-toast "Photos have been transferred!"

⚠️ Attention: Automatic scripts may conflict with the gallery. After the transfer, run the Termux command am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_SCANNER_SCAN_FILE -d file://$DESTto update the media database.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users encounter problems. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

Error Cause Solution
"Insufficient rights" Files in the system folder or on the SD card with restrictions Use a root manager or transfer files to internal memory
Photos remain in the same place The "Copy" button is pressed instead of "Cut" Check the action in Explorer or delete duplicates manually
"Folder not found" Incorrect path (for example, after updating Android) Use Explorer to search by folder name
Photos are not displayed in the gallery The media base is not updated Restart your phone or use the application Rescan Media

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If none of the methods worked, check:

  • 🛠️ File system integrity: run fsck via ADB or recovery.
  • 📱 Manufacturer restrictions: some Huawei and Xiaomi access to certain folders is blocked.
  • 🔄 Application conflicts: antiviruses (for example Avast) can block operations with files.
💡

If photos are not transferred due to "insufficient memory", try first moving them to an SD card or to the cloud, then to the target folder.

Is it possible to transfer photos from your phone to a flash drive without a computer?

Yes, if your smartphone supports OTG (On-The-Go). Connect the flash drive via the OTG adapter, open File Explorer and use the standard cut/paste method. On Android 10+ You may need permission to access removable media.

Why do photos take up space in both folders after transfer?

This happens if you used Copy instead of Cut. Remove duplicates manually or use applications to find duplicate files (for example, Files by Google → Clean → Duplicate files).

How to transfer photos from Telegram/WhatsApp to gallery?

Open a chat with a photo → click on the photo → Save to gallery (to Telegram) or Share → Save (to WhatsAppThen use the explorer to transfer from). folders Pictures/Telegram or WhatsApp Media.

Is it possible to return photos if they were accidentally cut out?

If the operation was interrupted, check folder /storage/emulated/0/.trash (hidden trash). On Samsung look in My file → Trash. If the folder is empty, use recovery apps (DiskDigger, Recuva), but the chances depend on whether the files were overwritten.

Why is there no "Cut" button on some phones?

Manufacturers (for example, Oppo, Realme) sometimes simplify the interface, leaving only "Copy" In this case:

  1. Copy the files to the destination folder.
  2. Go back to the source folder and delete the originals.

Or install a third-party explorer (Solid Explorer, FX).