Android File Transfer can be used to view and transfer files between your Mac and an Android device. Browse the files and folders on your Android device, add folders, copy files up to 4 GB to or from your Mac, delete files, and more.
Instructions: Move files by USB. Your computer must be running Mac OS X 10.5 and up. Your Android device must be running Android 3.0 and up. Android File Transfer for Mac Free.
Download Android File Transfer 1.0.11 (1.0.442.1500). Transfer files via USB from your Android to your Mac. Android File Transfer is an official app developed by Google with which you can easily transfer files from your Android device to any computer running Mac OS X.
Moving files between a Mac and an Android device has always been a real pain. Android uses MTP (media transfer protocol) to connect and share files with a desktop, and while this is supported natively in Windows, it isn’t on OS X (or the forthcoming macOS).
As a result, Mac users need the Android File Transfer program How to Transfer Files Between Android and Mac: 7 Easy MethodsNeed to transfer files between your Android phone and Mac computer? Here are simple ways to move data between those platforms. Read More installed, a mediocre piece of software that gives you the absolute basics of copy and paste, and not much else. And it doesn’t even work all the time, either.
Fortunately, there are ways to move files from Mac to Android without using Android File Transfer. If you still want to connect your phone via USB — and let’s be honest, it’s still the easiest way to transfer 15GB of music files to your device — then you can try an alternative app called HandShaker. Or, if you prefer a wireless approach, Portal by Pushbullet is a good place to start.
Let’s take a closer look at both options.
HandShaker, the Android File Transfer Alternative
HandShaker is a free app available to download from the Mac App Store. It has an interface that is more akin to a normal Finder window on a Mac 8 Finder Tips for Mac NewbiesNavigating files and folders using the native Mac file browser Finder is easy enough, but there are many more features hidden behind menus and keyboard shortcuts. Read More , rather than the rudimentary file window you get on Android File Transfer. This makes it both easier and more pleasant to use, but does require just a couple of extra steps to set it up.
Set Up HandShaker
First, it’s a good idea to uninstall Android File Transfer. They don’t conflict, but if it’s left installed, AFT will continue to open every time you connect your phone, meaning you will keep having to close it down and manually open HandShaker.
Next, on your Android phone, you have to enable USB Debugging What Is USB Debugging Mode on Android? Here's How to Enable ItNeed to allow USB Debugging on your Android? We explain how to use debugging mode for pushing commands from your PC to your phone. Read More . You do this in the Developer options, which are hidden by default. So, if you haven’t already, you need to show the Developer options by going to Settings > About phone and then tapping Build number seven times. Hit the back button and enter the newly accessible Developer options.
Here, scroll down and activate USB debugging, and click through the dialog box that asks for confirmation.
You can now launch HandShaker on your Mac, and connect your phone via a USB cable How to Test If Your Micro-USB Cable Is Charging ProperlyFind out exactly how fast your charger is charging your smartphone or tablet, and discover how to make it even faster. Read More . You’ll be prompted to authorize your Mac to access your phone. Check your phone’s screen to see another dialog asking you to allow USB debugging with this computer. Tap the Always allow box and then OK to confirm.
If necessary, click the I have authorized this Mac button in HandShaker too. You’re now ready to go.
Moving Files With HandShaker
After allowing HandShaker a few seconds to initialize, you will see a Finder-style window, with access to all your content: Gallery, Music, Video, the Download folder, and general files and folders.
This is where you can immediately see the improvement over Android File Transfer. Click Gallery, for instance, and you can see thumbnails of all your images. You can split them by folder, or view them all together; and also sort them by the week or month they were created, just as you can in Google’s Photos app How to Make Google Photos Work for You with These TipsGoogle Photos could be the much-awaited solution to manage all your photos. But is it the best among all online photo sharing sites? Read More .
It’s also possible to open some files stored on your phone within the desktop app. Try double clicking the file, or right-clicking and choosing which app you want to open it with.
To copy files to your computer, you can either select the file (or files) and click the Export button at the top right, or just drag them to your desktop. The Import button goes the other way, copying files onto the device, or you can drag and drop for that too.
HandShaker also enables you to carry out basic file and folder management tasks. You can create new folders and move files into them, rename files, and delete them. It makes cleaning up your internal storage so much easier.
We experienced a few issues using HandShaker with a Nexus 5X running the Android N Beta Everything You Need to Know About Android NWant to install Android N or just learn about the next Android version? We've got your back. Read More , but had no problems at all with other devices. On the whole, HandShaker is a big upgrade over Android File Transfer. If you move files to and from your Mac often, it’s worth looking into.
Move Files From Mac to Android Wirelessly
If you don’t want to have to bother with USB cables, but don’t want to use the cloud, then Portal is a good place to start with wireless file transfers.
Portal is a free download from the Play Store, and it shares files over your Wi-Fi network via a web browser — all you need to do is ensure both your phone and Mac are connected to the same network. You don’t even need to sign up for anything.
Sharing Files With Portal
To get started with Portal, point your desktop browser — Safari works, if that’s your browser of choice — to portal.pushbullet.com.
You’ll see a QR code 11 Fantastic Browser Tools for Making and Reading QR CodesQR codes are handy tools, providing a convenient way to share websites with friends or our own mobile devices. QR code makers are available for most browsers and for some, there are readers as well. Read More on screen. Launch Portal on your phone and scan the code when prompted. And that’s it: the connection between your phone and Mac is made.
Free Download Music For Mac
Move files to your phone by dragging and dropping them into the browser window. They will begin uploading instantly. It’s quick too, because the files aren’t going via the Internet.
Once received, music files are sorted into the Music folder, and images in the Gallery. All other files are saved into a new folder in your internal storage called Portal. You can also share or open your uploaded files from directly within the Portal app by tapping the Share button How to Edit and Clean Up Android's Share Menu: No Root RequiredIf you're like most Android users, your Share menu is cluttered with options you never use. It doesn't have to be that way. Read More and choosing a relevant app.
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Sadly, Portal only allows for one way transfers, from any computer to your Android device (a version for iPhone is also available). But it’s so fast and reliable — even when working with very large files — that even if you rarely use it, it’s one of those select apps that are worth keeping installed just in case.
How Do You Do It?
Android File Transfer might be the only first-party solution for moving files between Mac and Android, but you aren’t stuck with it. Whether you want to go wired or wireless, there are better choices out there, with more features, and more reliable performance. If you’re looking for more platforms, take a look at the fastest file transfer methods between PCs and mobile devices.
Now tell us about your setup. How do you copy files between your Mac and Android devices? Are you a fan of Android File Transfer, or are you totally committed to the cloud? Let us know in the comments.
Windows 8 users can easily connect their Android devices to their PC, but when it comes to Mac, things start getting more complicated. In these cases, you should always carry around Android File Transfer.
The application to transfer files from Android.
With Android File Transfer installed on a Mac you'll be able to copy photos, documents or any other file from an Android smartphone or tablet to your computer. The application is very easy to use.
Instructions to transfer files from Android to Mac
Install Android File Transfer.
Connect the Android device by USB cable to the Mac.
The first time you use Android File Transfer you'll have to open it manually, the following times it will open automatically.
Search for whatever folders you want on your Android from the application's interface, you'll be able to copy files of up to 4GB and also delete them.
Make sure you don't run into problems when it comes to transferring files from Android to Mac by downloading Android File Transfer.