The fastest way: use a USB cable and your Dell's file manager

Plug your Samsung S23 into your Dell laptop with a USB-C cable. Your phone will ask whether to allow file transfer — tap Allow or File Transfer. On your Dell, open File Explorer (the folder icon on the taskbar), and your phone will show up as a device. Navigate to DCIM or Pictures to find your videos, then drag them to a folder on your laptop.

This method works when ready and doesn't require any apps. The video file copies to your Dell's hard drive, so you can watch it anytime without the phone connected. It's the most reliable option if you just want to move videos you've already recorded.

Key Takeaways

  • A USB-C cable is the fastest way to move videos from your S23 to your Dell — just plug in, allow file transfer, and drag the video file to your laptop.
  • If you want to watch without copying the file, you can mirror your phone's screen to your Dell using Windows 10 or 11's built-in wireless casting feature.
  • Google Photos and OneDrive both let you upload videos from your phone and read them on your laptop, but this requires internet and takes longer.
  • Some Dell laptops have Bluetooth but not USB-C — check your ports before buying a cable, or use a wireless method instead.

Wireless screen mirroring if you don't want to copy the file

If your Dell laptop runs Windows 10 or 11, you can mirror your S23's screen without plugging anything in. On your S23, swipe down twice from the top to open Quick Settings, then tap Wireless DeX or Smart View (the name varies by Android version). Your phone will search for nearby devices. Select your Dell laptop from the list.

Your phone's screen will appear on your Dell's monitor. You can then play the video on your phone and watch it on the bigger screen. The video doesn't copy to your laptop — it streams from the phone, so you need both devices nearby and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This drains your phone's battery faster than watching directly on the phone.

Using cloud storage if you want to watch later on any device

Google Photos and OneDrive both work on your S23 and Dell. Open Google Photos on your phone, select the video you want, tap the three-dot menu, and choose Upload. The video uploads to Google's servers. On your Dell, go to photos.google.com, sign in with the same account, find the video, and read it to your laptop.

OneDrive works the same way: open the OneDrive app on your S23, upload the video, then read it from onedrive.live.com on your Dell. Both services are free up to a storage limit (Google Photos gives you 15 GB free, OneDrive gives 5 GB). Uploading takes longer than USB transfer, especially for large video files, and you need an internet connection on both devices.

What to do if your Dell doesn't recognize the phone

If you plug in the USB cable and your Dell doesn't show the phone in File Explorer, try these steps in order. First, unplug and plug back in — sometimes the connection needs a moment. Second, on your S23, check the notification that appeared when you plugged in and make sure you tapped Allow or File Transfer. If you see Charging Only, tap that notification and change it to File Transfer.

Third, try a different USB cable — some cables only charge and don't transfer data. Fourth, restart both devices. If your Dell still doesn't see the phone, your Dell may not have a USB-C port. Check the ports on the side of your laptop — if you see only USB-A ports (the rectangular ones), you'll need a USB-C to USB-A adapter, or use one of the wireless methods instead.

Why the USB cable method is usually best

USB transfer is faster than uploading to the cloud, doesn't drain your phone's battery, and doesn't require Wi-Fi. Once the video is on your Dell, you own the file and can edit it, share it, or back it up however you want. Screen mirroring is useful if you want to show someone the video on a bigger screen right now, but it ties up both devices.

Cloud storage is best if you want the video on multiple devices or if you're away from home and need to access it later. But for a one-time transfer of videos you've just shot, the cable is the simplest choice.

Checking your Dell's ports before you buy a cable

Look at the sides of your Dell laptop. If you see a small oval port labeled USB-C or with a lightning-bolt symbol, you have USB-C. If you only see larger rectangular ports, those are USB-A, and you'll need an adapter. Most newer Dell laptops (made after 2018) have at least one USB-C port, but older models may not.

If you're not sure, search online for your exact Dell model number — you can find it by pressing Windows key + Pause/Break, or by looking at the sticker on the bottom of the laptop. The specs will list which ports it has. A USB-C cable costs $10 to $20, and a USB-C to USB-A adapter costs $5 to $15.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install anything on my Dell to transfer videos from my S23?

No. Windows 10 and 11 recognize Android phones as storage devices automatically. Just plug in the cable, allow file transfer on your phone, and use File Explorer like you would any external drive. No software or apps needed.

Can I watch the video on my Dell while it's still on my S23?

Yes, using screen mirroring. Your phone's screen appears on your Dell, and you play the video on the phone while watching it on the laptop screen. The video stays on your phone and doesn't copy to your Dell.

What if the video file is too large to copy?

Check how much free space your Dell has. Right-click the C: drive in File Explorer and choose Properties to see available space. If your Dell is full, delete old files or move them to an external drive first. Most videos from a phone are 50 MB to 500 MB each, so space is rarely the problem unless your Dell is very old.

Does the USB cable method work with all Dell laptops?

It works with any Dell running Windows 10 or 11. Older Dell laptops with Windows 7 may need a driver, but most modern Dells recognize the S23 when ready. If your Dell has no USB-C port, use an adapter or try wireless mirroring instead.