How to easily transfer files from Android to MacOS: 2 simple ways

At any given second, I may be utilizing Linux, MacOS, Android, or ChromeOS. Due to my common OS-hopping habits, I usually have to switch recordsdata between every of them. 

One of many tougher transfers is between Android and MacOS. It is probably not all that onerous; you simply must know the appropriate app to make use of. Under I will present you two methods to make this work. 

How you can simply switch recordsdata from Android to MacOS

What you may want: The one stuff you’ll want are an Android cellphone or pill, a MacOS gadget (both MacBook or iMac), and a USB-C cable.

I will show the primary technique with Android 13 on a Pixel 7 Professional and a MacBook Professional M1.

Methodology One: Use Android File Switch

How you can use the app to switch recordsdata

The very first thing to do is join your Android gadget to the MacOS gadget with a USB cable. Whenever you do, it’s best to see a notification that states “Charging this gadget by way of USB.” Faucet to broaden that notification after which press “Faucet For Extra Choices”. On the ensuing web page, faucet “File switch / Android Auto”.

As soon as related, you might even see a pop-up asking you to permit the accent to attach. Click on “Enable”. 

Subsequent, open the Launchpad in your dock, seek for Android File Switch, and click on the icon to open the app. When the Android File Switch app opens on MacOS, you may see a single window with the listing construction of your Android gadget.

You’ll then must open a Finder window. With Finder open, navigate to the folder you wish to home the transferred file. Subsequent, navigate throughout the Android File Switch app to search out the file you wish to switch to MacOS. As soon as you have discovered the file, click on and drag it into the Finder window, and the file will copy into the folder.

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You are able to do the identical to switch recordsdata from MacOS to Android by dragging them from Finder into the vacation spot folder throughout the Android File Switch app. 

As soon as you have completed transferring recordsdata to or from Android, shut the Android File Switch app.

The caveat

The entire Android-to-MacOS File Switch expertise is not flawless. I’ve generally discovered after disconnecting my cellphone that after I go to try one other connection, I’ve to restart my MacBook earlier than the connection will be made. I’ve but to discover a resolution to this challenge. However even with this caveat, Android File Switch is among the best methods of transferring recordsdata out of your Android gadget to MacOS with out having to undergo an middleman like Google Drive.

Methodology two: Use MacDroid

 1. Set up MacDroid

MacDroid is discovered within the Apple App Retailer for MacOS. Open the app and seek for MacDroid. You will see the Get button. Click on that after which, when prompted, click on “Set up”. You might or is probably not prompted to your person password to finish the method.

That is it for the set up course of.

2. Run MacDroid

You will discover the MacDroid icon in Launchpad. Click on that and the welcome wizard offers you the breakdown of the options. Whenever you dismiss the wizard, you may be prompted to allow the MacDroid extension. Click on “Sure” to proceed.

 3. Join your gadget

When the MacDroid app opens, you may be prompted to pick out a connection sort. You possibly can select Wi-Fi, ADB, or MTP. For our functions, I will show utilizing MTP (which is USB). Plug your Android gadget into your Apple machine and you may have to do two issues:

• When prompted in your Apple gadget, click on “Enable” so the Android cellphone can hook up with the machine.
• In your Android cellphone, pull down the Notification shade till you see the itemizing titled “Charging this gadget by way of USB.” Faucet that choice after which faucet “File switch / Android Auto” below “Use USB for.”

You may be prompted to click on “Enable” so the gadget can join.

4. Allow USB debugging

In case your Android gadget does not seem (or it shows an error that it can’t join), you may have to allow USB Debugging. To try this, you must first allow Developer Choices, which is completed by opening Settings > About Cellphone. On that web page, find Construct Quantity and faucet it 7 instances. As soon as you have performed that, return to Settings > System > Developer Choices. On that web page, find USB Debugging and faucet to allow. As soon as you have enabled this characteristic, you possibly can try the USB connection once more and it ought to work simply superb.

You need to now see your Android cellphone listed in Finder as MacDroid. You possibly can click on that entry and navigate the Android file system. In case you use the free account, you possibly can solely copy/paste (or transfer) recordsdata from Android to MacOS. To maneuver recordsdata from MacOS to Android, it’s essential to improve to one of many paid plans.

And that is all there’s to switch recordsdata between Android and MacOS, by way of MacDroid or Android File Switch. I hope you discover considered one of these apps as helpful as I do.