Transferring files or taking a backup of critical data from an Android phone to a Mac is quite challenging. Well, we do have the Google's Android File Transfer app, but it is a hit or miss affair and looks so outdated. It beats me that Apple's Finder or any other Apple software doesn't offer the functionality either. That's why I have compiled a good list of Android File Transfer alternatives for Mac.
Transferring is no longer necessary as you can easily stream media files to a large screen and share with others. File Transfer Easily transfer videos, music, photos and other data between your Android and PC with clicks. No need for cables. Android Screen Reflector It is easy for you to reflect your Android screen to PC from the AirMore Web. Download the app. Open AndroidFileTransfer.dmg. Drag Android File Transfer to Applications. Use the USB cable that came with your Android device and connect it to your Mac. Double click Android File Transfer. Browse the files and folders on your Android device and copy files.
Apart from bearing the Android File Transfer's uninspiring interface, it caps the file transfer limits to 4GB. God forbid if you are trying to transfer data directly to a microSD card. To top it all, one often struggles with just the basic MTP (Mobile Transfer Protocol) connectivity with several devices. Indeed, Mac users miss out on the Plug and Play experience of Android on Windows.
So it's high time you put an end to it and check out this list of the best Android File Transfer alternative apps for Mac.
Also on Guiding Tech4 Best Apps to Transfer Files from Android to iPhone
Read MoreOpenMTP [Free]
The OpenMTP is an excellent free, open-source alternative of the Android File Transfer for Mac users. It provides a very pleasant-looking dual-panel interface for transferring files between your Android phone and a Mac. Most importantly, you can transfer files that are larger than 4GB (**happy dance**) easily.
You can pick between a Grid view or a List view on either of the panes. Out of the dual panels, the left signifies your Mac, and the right one is your Android phone. Well, it can smartly pick up between your phone's internal storage and a memory card too. You can easily drag and drop the files you wish to copy or transfer, and the transfer speeds are incredible.
One of the best features is that you can click on Settings and let OpenMTP show you all the hidden files.
Get OpenMTPAnyTrans (AnyDroid) [Freemium]
An older Android version running phone can lock you out on multiple fronts. Thankfully, AnyTrans (renamed to AnyDroid) for Android lets you connect your phone to a Mac through a dedicated app or web interface. Their mac app to mobile app connectivity can be frustrating if you want to quickly transfer a few photos or songs. I could blame Catalina for those issues. I often end up using the web interface for that and often have managed to download a few videos for personal usage from several popular video sites. Also, the fact that you can even use it shuffle files between your phone and Mac at blazing fast transfer speeds is the cherry on the top.
The iOS to Android direct file sharing and transfer is one of the coolest features of this app. Besides that, you can also organize and manage your photos as well as videos from it. The AnyTrans (AnyDroid) for Android app for the Mac is available from the Setapp app suite that provides access to over 150 apps (a lot of paid ones) for $9.99 monthly subscription.
You can buy a lifetime license of AnyTrans (AnyDroid) that brings you 24/7 customer support by paying a one-time fee of $39.99. After that, no matter how many phones you change, the support team will always be there to assist you.
Get AnyTrans (AnyDroid) Also on Guiding TechFeem vs SHAREit: Which Is Better for Transferring Files
Read MoreSyncMate [Freemium]
This is another kickass Android file transfer app that provides system-wide access to data such as Music, SMS, Call History, Bookmarks, and even Reminders. Although, the free version only lets you sync contacts, SMS, Calls, and Calendar. One of the coolest things about SyncMate is that it connects your phone to Mac like an external hard drive.
Again, the free version will let you only sinch Calendar, Contacts, and SMS. So if they matter to you a lot, and even sync them in the background. Well, even SyncMate's initiation process for establishing a connection over USB is a bit tricky. I tried with the Wi-Fi, and it worked like a charm. I used it only to take a backup of all the SMS texts that I've accumulated over the years. SyncMate's Expert license will cost you $39.95 for 2 Macs.
Get SyncMateAirMore [Freemium]
Lastly, the honorary mention goes to a robust AirDroid alternative - AirMore. I know, I know, AirMore isn't technically an 'app' for macOS. However, it does offer a slick Web interface. AirDroid did raise some eyebrows with security concerns, and I prefer using AirMore to transfer messages, files, and even sync notifications between a Mac and an Android phone. Read our comparison between AirDroid and AirMore to find out which option comes at the top.
Open the AirMore interface offers to let you connect your Android phone using a QR code or the Radar scan mode. Once you connect your phone to the web interface, everything will is just swift and fluid to transfer and move around. Transferring files is almost like using one of the dedicated desktop apps mentioned on this list. Apart from taking backup of data, you can even include apps and other documents. I use the Reflector function to take screenshots for guides and more.
Get AirMoreAlso on Guiding Tech
#macos
Click here to see our macos articles pageThe True Alternative
While there are several paid third-party options out there, I found the apps this list feature-rich enough and easy to use. My objective was straightforward - transfer files and backup data from the Android phone with the least amount of hassles.
While none of these are perfect, you can always use two or more of these alternatives with your Mac. Whether you want to take a backup of just the media files or other important data, these apps will help you achieve that smoothly. If you happen to know any other alternative, share it in the comments below. Also, share your experience with it and a specific feature that you would want others to try out.
Next up:Bought a new iPhone to replace an old Android? Check the next link to transfer your contacts from Android to iPhone successfully.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextHow to Transfer Contacts from Android to iPhone
Did You Know
Rootkits are a type of Trojan horse and are designed to conceal certain objects in your system.
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5 Best Clipboard Manager Apps for Mac
- Products ▼
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So, you have installed Android File Transfer app on your beloved Mac and even if it recognizes that the phone is connected, you will see a pop up warning message that says 'Could not connect to device. Try connecting or restarting your device'. If that is the case, then you have come to right place. In this tutorial, we will learn to fix any kind of Android File Transfer issue on Mac so that you can transfer personal data between your Android phone and Mac successfully.
Now, we will try to fix this issue by both performing diagnostic on Mac and Android phone. If the following troubleshooting fixes the issue then it is great or else you can move on to the next method which will guarantee that the issue will be fixed.
Method 1. Enable USB Debugging & Replace USB Cable
Step 1:Try to use another USB cable and see if the issue still persist. If so, then move to step 2.
Step 2: Connect your Android phone to Mac via USB data cable.
Step 3 :On your Android Phone, tap on 'Settings' by swiping down from the top of the screen.
The OpenMTP is an excellent free, open-source alternative of the Android File Transfer for Mac users. It provides a very pleasant-looking dual-panel interface for transferring files between your Android phone and a Mac. Most importantly, you can transfer files that are larger than 4GB (**happy dance**) easily.
You can pick between a Grid view or a List view on either of the panes. Out of the dual panels, the left signifies your Mac, and the right one is your Android phone. Well, it can smartly pick up between your phone's internal storage and a memory card too. You can easily drag and drop the files you wish to copy or transfer, and the transfer speeds are incredible.
One of the best features is that you can click on Settings and let OpenMTP show you all the hidden files.
Get OpenMTPAnyTrans (AnyDroid) [Freemium]
An older Android version running phone can lock you out on multiple fronts. Thankfully, AnyTrans (renamed to AnyDroid) for Android lets you connect your phone to a Mac through a dedicated app or web interface. Their mac app to mobile app connectivity can be frustrating if you want to quickly transfer a few photos or songs. I could blame Catalina for those issues. I often end up using the web interface for that and often have managed to download a few videos for personal usage from several popular video sites. Also, the fact that you can even use it shuffle files between your phone and Mac at blazing fast transfer speeds is the cherry on the top.
The iOS to Android direct file sharing and transfer is one of the coolest features of this app. Besides that, you can also organize and manage your photos as well as videos from it. The AnyTrans (AnyDroid) for Android app for the Mac is available from the Setapp app suite that provides access to over 150 apps (a lot of paid ones) for $9.99 monthly subscription.
You can buy a lifetime license of AnyTrans (AnyDroid) that brings you 24/7 customer support by paying a one-time fee of $39.99. After that, no matter how many phones you change, the support team will always be there to assist you.
Get AnyTrans (AnyDroid) Also on Guiding TechFeem vs SHAREit: Which Is Better for Transferring Files
Read MoreSyncMate [Freemium]
This is another kickass Android file transfer app that provides system-wide access to data such as Music, SMS, Call History, Bookmarks, and even Reminders. Although, the free version only lets you sync contacts, SMS, Calls, and Calendar. One of the coolest things about SyncMate is that it connects your phone to Mac like an external hard drive.
Again, the free version will let you only sinch Calendar, Contacts, and SMS. So if they matter to you a lot, and even sync them in the background. Well, even SyncMate's initiation process for establishing a connection over USB is a bit tricky. I tried with the Wi-Fi, and it worked like a charm. I used it only to take a backup of all the SMS texts that I've accumulated over the years. SyncMate's Expert license will cost you $39.95 for 2 Macs.
Get SyncMateAirMore [Freemium]
Lastly, the honorary mention goes to a robust AirDroid alternative - AirMore. I know, I know, AirMore isn't technically an 'app' for macOS. However, it does offer a slick Web interface. AirDroid did raise some eyebrows with security concerns, and I prefer using AirMore to transfer messages, files, and even sync notifications between a Mac and an Android phone. Read our comparison between AirDroid and AirMore to find out which option comes at the top.
Open the AirMore interface offers to let you connect your Android phone using a QR code or the Radar scan mode. Once you connect your phone to the web interface, everything will is just swift and fluid to transfer and move around. Transferring files is almost like using one of the dedicated desktop apps mentioned on this list. Apart from taking backup of data, you can even include apps and other documents. I use the Reflector function to take screenshots for guides and more.
Get AirMoreAlso on Guiding Tech
#macos
Click here to see our macos articles pageThe True Alternative
While there are several paid third-party options out there, I found the apps this list feature-rich enough and easy to use. My objective was straightforward - transfer files and backup data from the Android phone with the least amount of hassles.
While none of these are perfect, you can always use two or more of these alternatives with your Mac. Whether you want to take a backup of just the media files or other important data, these apps will help you achieve that smoothly. If you happen to know any other alternative, share it in the comments below. Also, share your experience with it and a specific feature that you would want others to try out.
Next up:Bought a new iPhone to replace an old Android? Check the next link to transfer your contacts from Android to iPhone successfully.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextHow to Transfer Contacts from Android to iPhoneAlso See#file transfer #mac apps
Did You Know
Rootkits are a type of Trojan horse and are designed to conceal certain objects in your system.
More in Mac
5 Best Clipboard Manager Apps for Mac
- Products ▼
- For Windows
- Android Manager for Win
- Android Data Recovery
- Phone Transfer for Win
- Android Root Pro
- For Mac
- Android Manager for Mac
- Android Data Recovery Mac
- Phone Transfer for Mac
- More >>>
So, you have installed Android File Transfer app on your beloved Mac and even if it recognizes that the phone is connected, you will see a pop up warning message that says 'Could not connect to device. Try connecting or restarting your device'. If that is the case, then you have come to right place. In this tutorial, we will learn to fix any kind of Android File Transfer issue on Mac so that you can transfer personal data between your Android phone and Mac successfully.
Now, we will try to fix this issue by both performing diagnostic on Mac and Android phone. If the following troubleshooting fixes the issue then it is great or else you can move on to the next method which will guarantee that the issue will be fixed.
Method 1. Enable USB Debugging & Replace USB Cable
Step 1:Try to use another USB cable and see if the issue still persist. If so, then move to step 2.
Step 2: Connect your Android phone to Mac via USB data cable.
Step 3 :On your Android Phone, tap on 'Settings' by swiping down from the top of the screen.
Step 4: Turn on USB Debugging and choose 'Media device (MTP)' option.
For a better understanding, it is recommended to read:How to enable USB debugging on Android. This should resolve the issue. If not, then it's time to troubleshoot your Mac computer.
Method 2. Diagnose Mac
Step 1: Make sure to use Mac OS X or later and Android 3.0 or later to make this part work.
Step 2: Reboot your Mac computer.
Step 3 : Open Android File Transfer app on your Mac.
Method 3. Update Android Phone
Step 1: Make sure to update your Android device by performing the 'System Update'.
Step 2: Restart your Android Device and check if it is recognized by your Mac now.
How to Fix Android File Transfer Issue with Android Assistant
These above mentioned method should do the trick but if the problem still is not resolved then it is time to use some external software to make this work. In this guide, we will be using Android Manager for Mac to fix this issue.
Android Assistant for Mac is a cool app to manage Android device on a computer. It makes file transfer pretty easily between Android and Mac computer. You can backup contacts, text messages, photos, music as well as other content with this app in a few clicks. It is a great alternative to Android File Transfer. The process is quite simple and you can check the following steps.
Step 1 Download and Install Android Manager on Mac
Firstly, you will have to download Android Manager for Mac on your computer and install it. This software is supported by the latest macOS to give you the best experience. After installation, you should proceed with the following steps.
After successfully installing the software on your Mac computer, it is time to launch the app. You should be able to see the following screen after opening the app for the first time on your computer. There are several modules within this program, we need to click Transfer button at this time.
Step 2 Connect Android Phone to PC
You should connect your Android Phone to Mac using a USB data cable. The software will automatically recognize your phone and display it on the main interface of the program. If everything is done successfully then you will be able to see the following screen.
Step 3 Transfer Selected Files from Android to Mac
Now you will be able to transfer file from your Mac computer to your android phone and vice versa. Hover around through the apps, contacts, messages, photos, music, etc. to navigate through the specific file types. You will be able to import files directly from your computer to android phone using this software.
Android Assistant for Mac not only helps to transfer file from your Mac computer to Android phone but also it helps to create and restore backup files. You can manage your contacts and messages using the same software, a simple solution to all of your android problems. Also, the same software can be used to diagnose iOS devices too.
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