Get the Samsung USB driver
Samsung publishes the Samsung Android USB Driver for Windows on developer.samsung.com. Samsung says you need it only if you are developing on Windows. To copy photos or files from a Galaxy phone, Windows already has the built-in MTP driver, so set the phone to File transfer instead.
Checked October 30, 2026 against the manufacturer's own pages.
Driver downloads
| Driver | Version | Released | Size | Windows | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Android USB Driver for Windows | 1.9.5.0 | May 6, 2026 | 35.5 MB | Windows | Download from developer.samsung.com |
Values copied from the manufacturer's page on October 30, 2026. The file always downloads from the manufacturer, never from this site.
Hardware IDs on this page
| Hardware ID | Device name |
|---|---|
USB\VID_04E8&PID_6860 | Galaxy series, misc. (MTP mode) |
USB\VID_04E8&PID_6865 | Galaxy (PTP mode) |
USB\VID_04E8&PID_6602 | Galaxy |
USB\VID_04E8&PID_685D | GT-I9100 Phone [Galaxy S II] (Download mode) |
Match the first line of Hardware Ids in Device Manager (Properties, Details) against this list. Names come from the public PCI ID Repository.
The short version
What to install and where it comes from. Every link goes to the manufacturer or Microsoft, never to a copy.
Official files only, nothing bundled
Step by step
Decide if you need the driver
Plug the phone in, pull down the notification shade and tap the USB notification. Choose File transfer. If the phone then shows in File Explorer, you are done and need no extra driver.
Try a different cable and port
Many cheap cables only charge. Use the cable that came with the phone and plug it straight into the PC, not into a hub.
Check Windows Update first
Open Settings, Windows Update, Check for updates, then Advanced options and Optional updates. Windows can supply the portable device driver by itself.
Download the developer driver
If you use adb, a flashing tool or Android Studio, open Samsung's Android USB Driver page, accept its terms and download the installer to your PC.
Install and reconnect
Close any phone software, run the installer as administrator and restart if asked. Then unplug and reconnect the phone and turn on USB debugging in Developer options.
What the Samsung driver is for
Samsung’s driver page is on its developer site, and it says the driver is needed only if you are developing on Windows. In practice that means three jobs: using adb from the command line, running an Android emulator or debugger from Android Studio, and using Samsung flashing tools while a phone is in Download mode. Everyday owners who only want to move pictures to a PC can skip it.
Why file transfer works without it
When you pick File transfer on the phone, it talks to Windows using the Media Transfer Protocol. Microsoft’s portable device framework includes a class driver for MTP, so no maker driver is required. If the phone is on charge only, nothing appears on the PC, which is the most common reason people think a driver is missing.
Hardware IDs you may see
Samsung’s USB vendor ID is 04E8. The same phone can show different product IDs depending on its mode, such as MTP, PTP or Download mode. That is why one Galaxy appears under several names in Device Manager. The list above shows a few entries from the public USB ID list, not every Galaxy model.
If adb still cannot see the phone
Turn on Developer options by tapping the build number in Settings, About phone, then enable USB debugging. Accept the fingerprint prompt on the phone when it appears. Run adb devices from a terminal; a listed serial number means the driver works.
Questions
Do I need this to transfer photos?
No. Samsung's page states the driver is for developing on Windows. Photo and file transfer use the Windows MTP driver that ships with the system.
Is Samsung Smart Switch the same thing?
No. Smart Switch is Samsung's backup and transfer app. The USB driver is a separate download for developers.
Which Windows versions does the page list?
Samsung's page does not list supported versions. It says only that the driver is for Windows.
The phone shows as MTP USB Device with a warning.
Open Device Manager, right-click the device and choose Update driver, Browse my computer, then Let me pick from a list. Pick a portable device or MTP driver from that list, and reconnect.