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Windows 7 PC wouldn't recognize my Google Pixel 3 camera

Started Sep 24, 2020 | Questions
jamesx521 Regular Member • Posts: 176
Windows 7 PC wouldn't recognize my Google Pixel 3 camera

My Windows 7 PC wouldn't recognize my Google Pixel 3 camera so I can transfer the first photos that I just took. The PC shows that the Pixel 3 is plugged in. It shows a Pixel 3 folder, but the folder is empty. Any specific driver that I have to download and install?

Is that driver going to be installed on the PC, or on the phone, or on both devices?

I've looked up several threads on the web; they are developer threads and seem to be a bit above my level of understanding of what they're talking about. So, I am a bit reluctant to try downloading and installing ZIP files with drivers for Android if I don't know for certain that it is exactly what I'm looking for.

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Roberto Peradotto
Roberto Peradotto Contributing Member • Posts: 817
Re: Windows 7 PC wouldn't recognize my Google Pixel 3 camera

When you connect the phone to the pc, you should go to your phone's notification screen. It'll be asking what kind of access do you want. Choose file transfer. I have a Window 7 PC and a Pixel 3a XL. It works perfectly.

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Roberto Peradotto

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OP jamesx521 Regular Member • Posts: 176
Re: Windows 7 PC wouldn't recognize my Google Pixel 3 camera

I expected that to happen, but the phone doesn't show anything on the screen. It gives a ping notification sound though.

And the PC still shows that Pixel 3 is connected but the folder is empty.

On the web I see some troubleshooting info with downloading of drivers and installing them on the PC, but I am afraid to go that route yet because I don't want to mess up the PC.

OP jamesx521 Regular Member • Posts: 176
Re: Windows 7 PC wouldn't recognize my Google Pixel 3 camera

Ok, I just figured out that the USB settings on the phone were setup for No data transfer. I changed it to File Transfer and were able to transfer the photos. The problem now is that when I open the folder to see the pictures before the transferring -- I get no display of the pictures, but only the icons and names of the files; then after I transfer I get to see the photos.... That's fine, I'll deal with this.

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