Tips
Tips: Copy files/text from and to Android with Gmail
August 10, 2009 | by Andrew Kameka
Android Tricks
Copying files from an Android device to a desktop computer is very easy thanks to the USB cable, but a cable isn’t always on hand. Sometimes you’re in a computer lab or at work, and need to quickly get files or text from one device to another before you leave. Gmail is an easy fix for the situation.
G1 owners have probably used this trick for quite some time, but I figured I’d talk about it for the sake of myTouch users who recently joined the Android fraternity. By creating and saving drafts in Gmail, Android users can copy MP3′s, .apk files, documents, or even reminders for their daily to-do list.
The process is simple. Open the Gmail app (or Gmail.com on a computer) and compose a message. Attach a file, write a reminder, or copy and paste text. Save as a draft and the next time you sync or refresh, your content will be accessible anywhere. Gmail’s high storage limits now provide a great temporary storage facility within your email account.
This post was written on a G1 and copied to the computer using Gmail.
Copy and paste isn't so very easy on Android, yet. Not for multiple paragraph that run more than one screen. Should you be lucky enough to select the text, upon pasting you'll often find missing characters, typically periods and the lowercase 'L'.
I use SwiFTP and Cyberduck as an easy way to transfer files between my iMac and HTC Magic, but I tried your tip, and yes I see the draft message when I open Gmail on Android, but I don't see a way to access the file I have attached to it..
If you can't see it in Drafts, e-mail it to yourself and the file should open up like any other attachment.
It looks like you can only attach pictures on the Gmail app — I see no way to attach movies or MP3s.