Copy Music Between Google Pixel and Sony: Full Guide

This guide shows you how to transfer music files between a Google Pixel phone and a Sony device, whether that’s another Android phone, a Sony Walkman, or a Sony Xperia. You’ll learn the fastest methods using USB cables, Wi-Fi, and cloud services, along with what to do when files won’t copy or appear missing.

What You’ll Need

A Google Pixel phone with the music files you want to copy (or the target device)
A Sony device (Xperia phone, Walkman, or tablet) with enough free storage
A USB cable compatible with both devices (USB-C to USB-C is fastest for modern models)
A computer (optional, but helpful for large libraries)
Stable Wi-Fi if you prefer a wireless transfer

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Direct USB Cable Transfer (Pixel to Sony Xperia)

Turn on both phones and unlock them.
Connect the Pixel to the Sony using a USB-C to USB-C cable. If one device only has a micro-USB port, use an adapter.
On the Pixel, a notification appears saying “USB charging this device.” Tap it and select “File Transfer” or “Android Auto” (if you want to browse files).
On the Sony, you may see a similar prompt. If asked, choose “File Transfer” mode as well.
Open the file manager app on the Sony device (often called “Files” or “File Manager”). Look for the Pixel listed under “Storage devices” or “USB drive.”
Navigate to the music folder on the Pixel. Typically, music is in Music/ or Download/.
Long-press on the music files or folders you want to copy, then tap “Copy” or the clipboard icon.
Navigate to the destination on the Sony (e.g., Music/ or Internal storage/Music), tap the three-dot menu, and choose “Paste.”
Wait for the transfer to complete. Do not unplug the cable until you see the notification disappear.

Method 2: Transfer via a Windows PC or Mac

Connect your Pixel to the computer using its USB cable. Set the phone to “File Transfer” mode when prompted.
Open the phone’s storage on the computer (it appears as a drive like “Pixel 7”). Navigate to the music folder.
Copy the music files from the Pixel to a folder on your computer.
Disconnect the Pixel safely (eject the drive).
Connect the Sony device to the computer with its cable. Set it to “File Transfer” mode.
Open the Sony’s storage, go to the Music folder (or create one), and paste the files you copied.
Eject the Sony and disconnect.

Method 3: Wireless Transfer Using Nearby Share (Pixel to Sony Xperia)

Make sure both phones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, and are near each other.
On the Pixel, open the file manager and locate the music files.
Select the files, tap the Share icon, and choose “Nearby Share” (or “Quick Share” on newer Android versions).
On the Sony, make sure “Nearby Share” is enabled in Quick Settings (swipe down twice, tap the Nearby Share icon).
Your Pixel will search for nearby devices. Tap the Sony’s name when it appears.
On the Sony, accept the incoming file transfer when prompted.
Wait for the transfer to finish. The files will be saved in the Downloads folder by default.

Method 4: Using a Cloud Service (Google Drive, OneDrive)

On the Pixel, open the Google Drive app (or any cloud storage app you use).
Tap the + (plus) icon, then “Upload,” and select the music files from your phone’s storage.
Wait for the upload to complete. This can take a while for large files.
On the Sony, install the same cloud app if it isn’t already installed.
Log in with the same account.
Find the uploaded music files, tap the three-dot menu next to them, and choose “Download” or “Make available offline.”
The files will be saved to the Sony’s local storage.

Common Mistakes

Leaving the phone in “Charging only” mode: If you don’t switch to File Transfer, the computer or other device won’t see the phone’s storage.
Copying instead of moving large libraries: Copying duplicates files and can fill up storage quickly. If you want to free space on the source, use “Move” or cut/paste instead.
Interrupting the transfer: Unplugging the cable or turning off Wi-Fi mid-transfer can corrupt files. Always wait for the progress bar to finish.
Forgetting file formats: Sony Walkman devices may not play certain formats like FLAC or ALAC if they’re not supported. Check the device’s manual for supported codecs.
Using a low-quality cable: Some USB cables are charge-only and don’t carry data. Try a different cable if the connection isn’t recognized.

Tips

For very large music libraries (over 10 GB), a USB cable is almost always faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi.
Organize your music into folders by artist or album before transferring. This makes it much easier to manage on the Sony device.
If you’re moving files from an old Sony Walkman to a Pixel, the process is the sameâ€”just reverse the source and destination in the steps above.
Use the “Free up space” feature on the Pixel (in Settings > Storage) after confirming the music is safely on the Sony.
If you have many songs, consider using a microSD card in the Sony (if it has a slot) and copying directly to the card.

Troubleshooting

Neither device recognizes the other over USB

Try a different USB cable (make sure it supports data transfer).
Restart both phones.
On the Pixel, go to Settings > Connected devices > USB and make sure “File Transfer” is selected.
If using a computer, try a different USB port (preferably directly on the motherboard, not a hub).

Transfer starts but fails halfway

Check that both devices have enough free storage. Delete unused apps or files if needed.
For wireless transfers, move closer to the Wi-Fi router or ensure both phones are in the same room.
If using a cloud service, check your internet connection and try again with smaller batches of files.

Music files appear but won’t play on the Sony

Check the file format. Convert unsupported formats (like FLAC) to MP3 or AAC using a free converter on your computer.
Make sure the files aren’t DRM-protected (common with music bought from certain stores). DRM-protected files won’t play on unauthorized devices.
Verify the files aren’t corrupted by trying to play them on the Pixel first.

Nearby Share doesn’t find the Sony device

Make sure both devices have Bluetooth and location services enabled.
Keep the phones within a few feet of each other.
On the Sony, check that Nearby Share visibility is set to “All contacts” or “Everyone” temporarily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer music from a Pixel to a Sony Walkman directly?

Yes, if the Walkman has a USB port (usually micro-USB or USB-C). Connect them with the appropriate cable, set both to File Transfer mode, and copy the files just like you would between two phones.

Will the transfer work with a Pixel and a Sony speaker?

No, this guide is for devices with storage (phones, tablets, Walkman). For speakers, use Bluetooth or Chromecast to stream music instead of copying files.

Does the Sony device need any special app installed?

No, for USB transfers you just need the built-in file manager. For wireless transfers, both devices have Nearby Share built-in (Android 6+). For cloud transfers, you’ll need the cloud app (like Google Drive) installed on both.

How long does a typical transfer take?

USB 3.0 transfers about 1 GB per minute. So a 500 MB album takes under a minute. Wireless transfers are slower, roughly 10-20 MB per second depending on Wi-Fi quality. Cloud uploads depend entirely on your internet speed.

Can I copy music from a Sony to a Pixel using the same steps?

Yes, the steps are identicalâ€”just swap the source and destination. The same USB, Wi-Fi, and cloud methods work in both directions.

What if my music is on a Sony memory card (microSD)?

Remove the microSD card from the Sony and insert it into the Pixel (if the Pixel has a card slot) or use a card reader with a computer. Copy the files from the card to the Pixel’s internal storage or to the Sony’s internal storage if that’s your goal.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →