There's always a time when you need to move a file from your phone to your PC, and there's certainly no shortage of ways to transfer files wirelessly on Android. You can use Bluetooth, cloud storage, email, and even messaging apps, but these solutions can be too slow or not suitable for sending large files.

So what's the alternative? Enter FTP, a tool older than the modern internet and a reliable way to transfer files between your devices. Here's how to get started with FTP on Android.

What Is FTP?

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. In basic terms, it allows you to connect one device to another, and transfer files between them. FTP works over the internet, so you can use it to connect to a device in your Wi-Fi network, or to a remote server. To use it, you need to have an FTP server on one device, and an FTP client on another.

Most third-party file managers on Android come with support for FTP, so you can start an FTP server on Android and then connect to it on a PC that's running an FTP client.

Below we have a list of some of the best file managers with FTP support you can download, in no particular order.

1. Amaze File Manager

Amaze is a free and open source file manager. It's fairly lightweight compared to the other file managers in this list, as it doesn't go out of its way to have extra functions like code editing or media players. Instead it focuses on the basics like cutting, copying, and pasting, as well as archiving and encrypting files.

Starting an FTP server on Amaze is pretty easy. All you have to do is open the hamburger menu from the left of the screen, scroll down, and tap on FTP Server. Then, just tap on Start.

While Amaze is free, support for cloud storage must be unlocked via an in-app purchase.

Download: Amaze File Manager (Free, premium version available)

2. Solid Explorer

Solid Explorer is like a Swiss army knife. It gives you plenty of tools without feeling bloated, such as file encryption and cloud storage support, plus its own image viewer, music player, and text editor. All of this wrapped up around a sleek user interface.

Using FTP on Solid Explorer is pretty similar to Amaze. Swipe right to open the hamburger menu, scroll down, tap on FTP Server, then tap Start.

Solid Explorer is free under a 14 day trial period, after which you have to pay to continue to use it.

Download: Solid Explorer (Free trial, premium version available)

3. MiXplorer

MiXplorer is a file manager with every feature you can imagine. It comes with all the basics of a file manager like cutting, copying, pasting, compressing, and extracting files. Then you have the more advanced features, like the ability to multitask operations, a text and code editor, and a complete EPUB and PDF reader for your book-reading needs.

Of course, MiXplorer comes with support for FTP too. To start an FTP server, tap on the menu at the top-right, then tap on Servers, followed by Start FTP Server.

MiXplorer's developer gives the app away for free on the XDA Developer forums, but if you'd like to support the development of MiXplorer you can get the paid version on the Play Store.

Download: MiXplorer (Free from XDA Developer forums) | MiXplorer Silver ($4.49 from Google Play)

How to Use FTP to Transfer Files on Android

Once you've chosen an FTP server app for your Android device, you'll need an FTP client app for your PC. We have lists of the best FTP clients for Windows and FTP clients for Mac.

To show you how to use FTP, we'll use Amaze File Manager on Android and FileZilla on Windows. If you decide to use a different FTP server or client app, don't worry, as these steps apply to them as well.

First, open Amaze on your Android device. Swipe to the right to open up the hamburger menu, scroll down, and you'll find the FTP Server option. Here, tap the Start button and the app should say "Status: Secure Connection".

Right below Status, you'll see that a URL has appeared as well.

Now, on your PC, open up FileZilla. At the top you should see four text boxes, the first of which is called Host. On this text box, type the URL that Amaze gave you exactly as it appears, and then press Enter.

Inputting the URL into FileZilla

FileZilla may prompt you to allow insecure connections. This is something that you only need to worry about if you're connecting to a remote server, so click on the checkbox and then click OK.

FileZilla's insecure connection prompt

You should immediately see the files and folders of your Android device appear on the right-side navigation pane. You can now start transferring files between your Android phone and your PC.

Related: How to Transfer Files From Android to PC

To transfer files between your devices, all you have to do is select the file or folder you want to transfer in FileZilla, then drag and drop it where you want it to be. It's that easy!

Now You Know How to Use FTP

FTP might seem like a complex and daunting tool, but once you set it up for the first time, you can see how easy it is to use. Not only does it let your transfer files without the need for a cable, it's also faster than Bluetooth, which is especially convenient when you want to transfer big files or lots of pictures.