Sync your Windows Phone

There are a number of different apps and tools to help you sync stuff between your Windows Phone and your computer—which ones you should use depends on the kind of computer you have and what you want to transfer.

	Windows Phone app for Windows 8 A modern app for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1	Windows Phone app for desktop A classic app for PCs from Windows 7 to Windows 10	File Explorer A way to move files manually
Automatically copy photos and videos to your computer when you plug in your phone
Move music, ringtones, podcasts, photos, and videos between your phone and your computer
Sync with iTunes
Copy documents between your phone and your computer
Move music, photos, videos, and ringtones between your phone and your SD card

The Windows Phone app for desktop lets you sync music, podcasts, photos, and videos between your phone and your Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows 7 PC as well as add ringtones to your phone. You can also choose to sync with your Windows Libraries or with iTunes.

Sync music

1. In the Windows Phone app for desktop, in the upper-right corner, click PC, then click Music.
2. Make sure the Sync music check box is selected.
3. Do one of the following:
   • To sync some of your collection, select any playlists, genres, artists, or albums you want to sync.
   • To sync your entire music collection, select the Sync all music check box.
4. Click Sync.

Sync podcasts

1. In the Windows Phone app for desktop, in the upper-right corner, click PC, then click Podcasts.
2. Make sure the Sync podcasts check box is selected.
3. In the Sync list, choose how many episodes you want to sync and whether you want to sync unplayed episodes only.
4. Do one of the following:
   • To sync some of your podcasts, select the ones you want to sync.
   • To sync all of your podcasts, select the Sync all podcasts check box.
5. Click Sync.

Add ringtones

The Windows Phone app for desktop can tell which of your songs will work as ringtones.

1. In the Windows Phone app for desktop, in the upper-right corner, click PC, then click Ringtones.

2. Select any of the songs you'd like to use as ringtones on your phone, then click Add.

   You can assign ringtones to events on your phone like notifications or reminders and to contacts for when they call or text you. To learn more about assigning ringtones on your phone, see Ringtones, sounds, and volume.

Save music or podcasts to your PC, or delete them from your phone

1. In the Windows Phone app for desktop, in the upper-right corner, click Phone, and then click Music or Podcasts.

   Tip

   If you have an SD card and you don't see what you're looking for, try adjusting your filters by clicking the drop-down arrow above the storage display (at the bottom) and selecting SD card.

2. Select the items or folders you want to delete or move. (If the options don't appear automatically, click or swipe up from the bottom of the screen to show them.)

3. Click either Save to PC or Delete.

   Notes

   • To find the things you've saved, open File Explorer on your PC, then go to the Music, Pictures, or Videos folder to see your files.

   • If you delete something from your phone that you've selected to sync, it will be added back to your phone the next time you sync.

Copy your iTunes music to your phone

Feeling attached to your iTunes collection? Don't worry—you can bring it along to your Windows Phone. If you have a PC running Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7, you can copy your iTunes music to your phone using the Windows Phone app for desktop.

1. In the Windows Phone app for desktop, click Settings.

2. Under Sync music, videos, and more from, select iTunes.

   You can now copy your iTunes library to your Windows Phone in the Windows Phone app for desktop.

Sync photos and videos you've taken

1. In the Windows Phone app for desktop, in the upper-right corner, click PC, then click Photos.
2. Make sure the Sync photos check box is selected.
3. If you also want to sync the videos you've taken, select Include your videos.
4. Do one of the following:
   • To sync some of your photos and videos, select any folders you want to sync.
   • To sync all your photos and videos, select the Sync all photos check box.
5. Click Sync.

Sync videos (movies and TV)

1. In the Windows Phone app for desktop, in the upper-right corner, click PC, then click Videos.
2. Make sure the Sync videos check box is selected.
3. Do one of the following:
   • To sync some of your videos, select the ones you want to sync.
   • To sync all your videos, select the Sync all videos check box.
4. Click Sync.

Save photos and videos to your PC, or delete them from your phone

1. In the Windows Phone app for desktop, in the upper-right corner, click Phone and then click Photos or Videos.

   Tip

   If you have an SD card and you don't see what you're looking for, try adjusting your filters by clicking the drop-down arrow above the storage display (at the bottom) and selecting SD card.

2. Select the items or folders you want to delete or move. (If the options don't appear automatically, click or swipe up from the bottom of the screen to show them.)
3. Do one of the following:
   • Click Save to PC.

   • Click Delete.

     Notes

     • To find the things you've saved, open File Explorer on your PC, then go to the Pictures or Videos folder to see your files.

     • If you delete something from your phone that you've selected to sync, it will be added back to your phone the next time you sync.

The Windows Phone app for Windows 8 has a modern interface that highlights album art, displays image and video thumbnails, and makes it easy to add music, playlists, photos, and videos from locations on your Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 PC.

Add music or playlists

1. In the Windows Phone app for Windows 8, click Add to phone, then click either Add music or Add playlists.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Click a folder to choose specific songs to add.
   • To choose a different folder, click Go up.
   • To add a whole folder, right-click the folder.
3. Right-click each song or playlist you want to add. All of the files you choose will appear at the bottom of the app.
4. When you've chosen all of the songs or folders you want, click Add.

Add photos and videos to your phone

1. In the Windows Phone app for Windows 8, do one of the following:
   • To add photos, click Add to phone > Add photos.
   • To add videos, click Add to phone > Add video.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Click a folder to choose which files to add.
   • To choose a different folder, click Go up.
   • To choose a different type of file to add, click Files, and then click Pictures or Videos.
3. Right-click each file you want to add. All of the files you choose will appear at the bottom of the app.
4. When you've chosen all of the files you want, click Add.

Save photos or videos to your PC, or delete them from your phone

1. In the Windows Phone app for Windows 8, under On your phone, click the kind of items you want to delete or move (Photos or Videos).

   Note

   Videos that you've taken with your phone will appear in Photos. Movies and TV episodes that you've purchased will appear in Videos.

   Tip

   If you have an SD card and you don't see what you're looking for, try adjusting your filters by clicking the drop-down arrow above the storage display (at the bottom) and selecting SD card.

2. Right-click the items or folders you want to delete or move. (If the options don't appear automatically, click or swipe up from the bottom of the screen to show them.)
3. Do one of the following:
   • Click Save to PC.
   • Click Delete.

Tips for using the Windows Phone app for Windows 8

Here are a few tips to help with common questions about the Windows Phone app for Windows 8.

Rename your phone

You can name your phone when you set up the Windows Phone app for Windows 8 on your PC for the first time. You can change the name any time you like in Settings.

1. In the Windows Phone app, open the Settings charm and click Preferences.
2. Under Name your phone, type the name you want to use.

See how much space you're using for each kind of content

You can use the Windows Phone app for Windows 8 to check the storage space on your phone and view a breakdown of space used by category. See Storage on my phone to learn how.

See what's on a different phone that's plugged into your computer

Click the arrow next to the name of your phone to show all of the phones plugged into the computer. Click one to see what's on it.

Resize pictures before adding them to your phone to save space

1. In the Windows Phone app for Windows 8, open the Settings charm and click Preferences.
2. Turn on Resize pictures.

Automatically import photos and videos from your phone to your computer

You can choose this option when you connect your phone to your PC and set up the Windows Phone app for Windows 8 for the first time. Here's what to do if you decide to do it later (or if you change your mind and want to turn it off).

1. In the Windows Phone app, open the Settings charm and click Preferences.
2. Turn Automatic import on or off.

Get updates on your phone when you have limited connectivity

The Windows Phone app for Windows 8 can help you get updates on your phone when you have limited data connectivity, are in a region where you incur cellular charges for downloading updates, or when your phone is low on storage space.

If you simply want to move your music, ringtones, podcasts, photos, and videos from one place to another, the easiest way is to use File Explorer (called Windows Explorer in some versions of Windows).

Move music, ringtones, or podcasts

1. Do one of the following:
   • If you're using Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 8, open File Explorer from the taskbar.
   • If you're using Windows 7, open Windows Explorer from the taskbar.
2. Under This PC (called Computer on some versions of Windows), click your phone's name and then click Phone.
3. To move files between your phone and your PC, right-click the file you want to copy and click Copy.
4. Right-click in the folder you want to move the file to and click Paste. If you're adding music, ringtones, or podcasts to your phone, make sure to paste the file into the Music, Ringtones, or Podcasts folder so your phone will be able to find and recognize it.

Move photos and videos

1. Do one of the following:
   • If you're using Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8, go to Desktop view and then open File Explorer from the taskbar.
   • If you're using Windows 7, open Windows Explorer from the taskbar.
2. Under This PC (called Computer in some versions of Windows), click your phone's name and then click Phone.
3. To move files between your phone and your PC, right-click the file you want to copy and click Copy.
4. Right-click in the folder you want to move the file to and click Paste. If you're moving photos or videos to your phone, make sure to paste the file into the Pictures or Videos folder so that your phone can find and recognize it later.

By default, your email syncs automatically with your Windows Phone. You can change how often you want each account to sync, and you can start the process manually.

Manual syncing can be useful if your email account syncs mail only occasionally and you want to check it immediately, or if you're in Battery Saver mode, when email is only synced manually. To learn more about Battery Saver, see Battery: making it last.

Sync an email account

When you sync your email account, all of the information from that account will be updated, including folders, calendars, and tasks.

1. On Start , tap the email account you want to sync (for example, Outlook, Google, or a linked inbox).

2. Tap Sync 

   
   . If you're in a linked inbox, all of the linked accounts will be synced.

   When your email is done syncing, you'll see a message at the top of your screen that it's up to date.

Sync a folder

Once you've synced a folder to your phone, that folder will be synced on the same schedule as the rest of your inbox for that account.

1. Open the account that has the folder you want to sync.
2. Tap More 
   
   > Folders.
3. Tap Show all folders, then tap the folder you want.
4. Tap Sync this folder. (If you don't see this option, tap Sync 
   
   .)

Stop syncing a folder

1. Open the account that has the folder you want.
2. Tap More
   
   > Folders.
3. Tap the folder you want to stop syncing.

4. Tap More

   
   > Don't sync this folder.
   Notes

   • You can't sync the drafts folder for an email account, even though Sync 

     
     appears as available.

   • If you try to sync a folder and nothing happens, your email account might be set up to sync recent emails only. In the App list, tap Settings

     
     > Email + accounts. Tap your account, tap Download email from, and then tap a longer amount of time.

Sync mail based on your usage

Choose to let your phone help decide how often to download mail if you want to save you battery and data when things are quiet. If you don't check your account for a few days, your phone will sync your account less often. If you get a lot of mail in one day, your phone will sync more often. This option is on by default.

1. Open the account you want to change.
2. Tap More
   
   > Settings > Sync settings.
3. Under Download new content (or Download new email in some accounts), choose Based on my usage.

Windows Phone puts all your calendars in one place and keeps them in sync automatically so you'll always get a clear and up-to-date view of your schedule.

Sync Microsoft accounts and Microsoft Exchange accounts

To see the calendar for a Microsoft account or a Microsoft Exchange account (typically used at work) on your phone, set up the account in Settings

• Two weeks of past single-instance (non-recurring) events.
• All future single-instance events.
• All recurring events that have occurrences within the last two weeks or anytime in the future.

The task list on your phone will automatically sync with your Microsoft account or Outlook task list, depending on which account you use to create tasks.

Sync Google and iCloud accounts

To see the calendar for a Google or iCloud account on your phone, set up the account in Settings 

• Two weeks of past single-instance (non-recurring) events.
• Six months of future single-instance events.
• All recurring events that have occurrences within the last two weeks or in the next six months.

Sync Facebook events

To sync your Facebook events, you'll need to have the Facebook app installed on your phone. Once you've done this, you can configure the sync settings from inside the app.

There are two ways to sync your Microsoft Office Outlook contacts and calendar information to your Windows Phone. The right method for you depends on whether or not you use Outlook with Microsoft Exchange. (Exchange is what many organizations use to provide email, calendars, tasks, and contacts.)

If you use Outlook with Exchange (this is typically the case if you use Outlook at work), setting up contact and calendar syncing is straightforward. Go to Settings

If you use Outlook without Exchange (this is typically the case if you use Outlook at home), setting up contact and calendar syncing takes a few more steps. To learn how, see Sync your Outlook contacts to Windows Phone.

Sync documents with OneDrive

With Microsoft OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive) you can get to your documents from virtually anywhere. Start working on a document on your computer and then continue on your phone, or vice versa.

Sync documents from OneDrive to your phone

1. On your phone, sign in with a Microsoft account.

2. In the App list, tap Office

   
   .

   You'll see that your OneDrive has been added to Places. Swipe over to Recent to see documents on OneDrive that you've recently opened from somewhere else. Other documents you've recently opened on your phone will appear there too.

3. To open a document, do either of the following:
   • Swipe over to Places, tap OneDrive, tap a folder, and then tap a document or notebook to open it.
   • Swipe over to Recent and then tap a document.
4. If you don't see the file you're looking for on OneDrive, you can do any of the following in the Office Hub to search for it:
   • To search for a document, swipe over to Places or Recent, tap Search
     
     , and then start typing the file name. Tap the one you're interested in to open and edit it.

   • To search for a particular note, swipe over to Places, tap OneDrive, and then tap a notebook to open it in Microsoft OneNote Mobile.

     In OneNote, tap Search

     
     and then type a notebook name, section name, page title, or a word or two that might appear in a note. Tap Enter 
     
     , and then tap a notebook, section, or page to open it.

Save an existing document to OneDrive

Any document you can open on your phone can be saved to OneDrive, including email attachments and files on a Microsoft SharePoint or a SharePoint Online site.

1. In the Office Hub
   
   , swipe over to Places and then tap the place that the document is in.
2. Tap and hold the document and then tap Save to > OneDrive.

Save a new document to OneDrive

1. In the Office Hub
   
   , swipe over to Recent, tap New
   
   > Word or Excel.
2. Add the content you want and then tap More
   
   > Save.
3. Type a name in the File name box and then tap Save to > OneDrive > Save.

Sync documents using your computer

Whether you have a Word file on your Windows Phone that you'd like to edit on your PC, or you simply want to move a spreadsheet to your phone to review during your commute, it's easy to move Office documents (and others) between your phone and your computer—even without using the cloud.

1. Connect your phone to your PC using the USB cable that came with your phone and then do one of the following:
   • If you're using Windows 7, open Windows Explorer from the taskbar.
   • If you're using Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8, open File Explorer from the taskbar.
2. In File Explorer (or Windows Explorer), under This PC (called Computer in some versions of Windows), click your phone's name. Your Office files will be in Phone > Documents.
3. Right-click the file you want to copy and click Copy. Then right-click in the folder you want to move the file to and click Paste. (If you're moving an Office file from your PC to your phone, paste it into the Documents folder on your phone. After copying it over, you'll find the file in the Office Hub
   
   on your phone.)