Here are the most common (and reliable) ways to transfer files from a PC to a Raspberry Pi. Pick the one that matches how your Pi is connected (network vs. not).
Method 1: SCP (simple, fast, over SSH)
- Make sure SSH is enabled on the Pi:
Raspberry Pi OS: sudo raspi-config → Interface Options → SSH → Enable
- Find the Pi’s IP: hostname -I (on the Pi) or check your router.
From macOS / Linux (Terminal):
scp /path/to/file.txt pi@<PI_IP>:/home/pi/
scp -r /path/to/folder/ pi@<PI_IP>:/home/pi/
From Windows (PowerShell, Windows 10/11 usually has scp):
scp C:\path\file.txt pi@<PI_IP>:/home/pi/
scp -r C:\path\folder pi@<PI_IP>:/home/pi/
Method 2: SFTP with a GUI (easiest drag-and-drop)
- Windows: WinSCP
- macOS: Cyberduck / FileZilla
- Linux: FileZilla or your file manager supports “sftp://…”
Connection settings:
- Protocol: SFTP
- Host:
- Username: pi (or your username)
- Password: your Pi password
- Port: 22
Then drag files into /home/pi/ (or wherever you want).
Method 3: Shared Folder (Samba/Windows share) for “network drive” style
Good if you want the Pi to appear like a shared computer on your LAN.
Install Samba on the Pi, set up a share, then map it from Windows/macOS.
(If you want, tell me your OS and I’ll give a ready-to-copy Samba config.)
Method 4: rsync (best for lots of files / repeat transfers)
Only copies changes (great for projects):
rsync -avh /local/folder/ pi@<PI_IP>:/home/pi/folder/
Method 5: USB drive (no network needed)
- Copy files to a USB stick on your PC
- Plug into Pi
- Raspberry Pi OS usually auto-mounts it under /media/pi//
Quick troubleshooting
- “Connection refused” / timeout: SSH not enabled, wrong IP, or firewall/network issue.
- “Permission denied”: wrong username/password, or SSH keys not set.
- Can’t resolve hostname: use the IP address instead of raspberrypi.local.
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