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Best alternative to Android File Transfer - MacDroid

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Lidiia Krupenko Sep 23, 2022

Android File Transfer Alternative: 15 Best Solutions for Mac users

Although the Android File Transfer app allows you to connect Android to Mac, it doesn't work properly. In this article, we've compiled and reviewed some of the best Android File Transfer alternatives, including MacDroid and other apps.

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MacDroid

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Let's find the best Android File Transfer alternatives for Mac

Developed by Google, Android File Transfer is an app for macOS that lets you browse and move files from Android devices. But if you've ever used Android File Transfer you're probably familiar with the numerous errors you may encounter during the process. The issues can range from the phone not being in the proper USB mode, the app isn’t updated or third-party applications that can interfere with the functionality. No matter what the problems are, you need to find an alternative.

Learn more about the best Android File Transfer alternatives

Alternative to Android File Transfer - MacDroid
Other Alternatives to Android File Transfer for Mac
Why do one need an Android File Transfer Mac alternative
Alternative ways to transfer files between Android and Mac
Conclusion
FAQ

Alternative to Android File Transfer - MacDroid

MacDroid

4.7 Rank based on 556 + users Reviews(439)

Requirements: macOS 10.12

Version: v1.6.1.131, Released 9 Sep, 2022 Release notes

Category: UtilitiesApplication

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MacDroid stands out on our list of the best alternatives available on the market. This all-in-one file transfer app allows you to connect Android to Mac and ensures efficient and smooth transfer between these devices. It's lightweight, easy to use, and works on all versions of macOS, including Monterey.

Using MacDroid, you can view, edit and move videos, music and pictures from one device to another. It lets you mount your Android device as a disk on Mac so you can access its content right in Finder. There is no need for additional software or drivers, the USB cable is enough for convenient transfer of any files.

Supported OS: macOS, Android

Price: $19.99/year

Conclusion: MacDroid is a quick and easy way to connect your devices and is undoubtedly a reliable Android file transfer app Mac users can find. Being professional software, it is regularly updated and offers excellent customer support.

How to Connect Android and Mac Using MacDroid

MacDroid is a fairly simple and intuitive Android file transfer app for Mac, and it's easy to figure out how to use it. However, since we want all our readers to have an easy time, we’ve put together a complete guide on how to perform file transfer. With MacDroid you will be able to transfer files using MTP and ADB mode, we will check both.

How to Transfer Files in MTP Mode

1

Download MacDroid and install it on your computer.

2

Connect your Android phone using the USB cable that came with it.

The app has two modes, choose the one that suits you.

3

Open MacDroid on your Mac and select MTP. You will get a pop-up on your phone asking you to select the connection mode. Tap “File Transfer” when prompted.

4

Once done, select your phone in “Device list” and then click “Mount”.

5

Now you are able to browse through all your files quickly and move everything you need.

How to Connect Android to Mac via ADB Mode

Using the Android Debugging Bridge is another way to connect your Android device and your Mac. It’s developed for Android devices to help developers handle with crashes; however, it can double as a transfer tool as well. Here’s how to transfer your file using the ADB mode:

1

Go to Settings on your Android device, tap on “USB debugging mode” and enable it.

2

Connect your phone using your USB cable.

ADB is a versatile command-line tool that lets you communicate with a device.

3

Go to MacDroid and click on ADB under “Add devices”.

4

Once the app recognizes your phone you will see a message on the display asking you to “Always allow this computer” - click it.

If after that it was not possible to connect, check if there is a problem with the USB cord.

5

Next, select your phone in the “Device list” and click “Mount”.

6

The phone is now ready for transfers using the ADB mode.

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Other Alternatives to Android File Transfer for Mac

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MacDroid	MacDroid	ApowerManager	dr.fone - Phone Manager	TunesGo	Vibosoft Android Mobile Manager	iSkysoft Phone transfer	MobiKin Assistant for Android	Coolmuster Android Assistant for Mac	Syncios	Android File Transfer	OpenMTP
MTP mode	MTP mode
ADB mode	ADB mode
Folder transfer	Folder transfer
File transfer	File transfer
Media transfer	Media transfer
Finder integration	Finder integration
On-the-phone file edit	On-the-phone file edit
Single Mac app	Single Mac app
Device compatibility - Full	Device compatibility - Full	Vast	Vast	Vast	Vast	Vast	Vast	Vast	Vast	Connectivity issues	Vast
$1.67/mo	$1.67/mo	$39.95/year	$29.95/year	$29.95/year	$39.95	$39.95	$29.95	$29.95	$29.95	free	free

AnyDroid (originally AnyTrans)

Capable of dealing with any version of Android, AnyDroid gives you an easy way to move files from your phone to your computer rapidly. The user-friendly interface makes everything smooth and the transfer speed is also very good.

Pros:

Clean and intuitive interface
Wireless connection
Supports older Android versions as well
Impressive transfer speed for a free software.

Cons:

More features in the paid version.

Supported OS: Android, macOS, Windows

Price: Free, $29.99 (1 Year Plan)

Conclusion: Lightweight and functional app to transfer files from Android to macOS. Manage your media files, apps and personal contacts seamlessly and hassle-free.

SyncMate

SyncMate is a solution packed with features that allows you to transfer files between Android devices and your Mac easily. It is compatible with Monterey as well, and you will be able to mount Android devices as external disks to move files using Finder (starting from build 8.2, Android and MTP devices can be mounted using MacDroid).

Pros:

Easy to use
Supports all file types
Can double as a sync tool.

Cons:

The more intricate features require the Expert version.

Supported OS: macOS

Price: $39.95

Conclusion: A great tool to transfer files from Android to Mac that can also double as a syncing app.

Commander One

Commander One offers a dual-panel interface to enable easy transfer between Android and Mac. This Android File Transfer alternative also offers access to hidden system files and archives. The Terminal Emulator is another nice touch for all users that want to finish their transfers easily.

Pros:

Dual panel interface
Offers access to system files
Terminal Emulator functionality.

Cons:

Requires quite a lot of resources.

Supported OS: macOS, Windows

Price: $29.99

Conclusion: Excellent functionality and a smooth interface to transfer files between Android and Mac or Windows.

OpenMTP

If you’re looking for an open-source alternative to Android File Transfer, this one is for you. OpenMTP gives you access to all the functionality to transfer files without costs. This Android file transfer Mac alternative supports bulk transfers and there are no limits when it comes to what you can transfer.

Pros:

High data transfer rates
Transfer multiple files at once
Works with internal and SD card memory as well.

Cons:

Being an open-source app it can have some bugs.

Supported OS: macOS, Windows

Price: Free

Conclusion: An excellent open-source solution for easily transfer files from your mobile devices to your computer.

AirDroid

Using AirDroid you will always be able to easily move files from Android to Mac or the other way around. This app can work on iOS and Windows so you will be able to move files between multiple devices easily.

Pros:

Free version
Available on Mac and Windows
Good data transfer rate.

Cons:

Folder transfer only available in paid version.

Supported OS: Windows, macOS

Price: $29.99 / year

Conclusion: Excellent solution for those who are looking for the best file transfer app for Android to PC and Mac. Offers free and paid versions depending on the needs of users.

Dr.Fone

Quickly connect your Android devices and move data from one to another using Dr.Fone. It also handles SMS messages and contacts besides music, photos, or videos. Supports batch transfers and handling the files on the phone from your computer.

Pros:

Works with macOS, Windows, iOS and Android
Supports bulk transfers
Built-in photo converter.

Cons:

No customer support.

Supported OS: macOS, Windows

Price: $70 / month

Conclusion: Despite delivering a great service when it comes to file transfer, the full toolkit of Dr.Fone, which includes Data Recovery, Phone Manager, is quite pricey for your regular user.

MobiKin Assistant for Android

The next alternative to Android File Transfer can handle a wide range of operations. From transferring music, videos, photos, or documents and all the way to syncing the content between the two devices. Using this file transfer app for Android you can also manage your phone, add, delete and browse files right on your computer.

Pros:

Free trial
Can be used to create backups and restore when needed
Transfers call logs, contacts, and SMS messages as well.

Cons:

The free trial doesn’t offer lots of functions.

Supported OS: Windows, macOS

Price: $39.95 lifetime license

Conclusion: You can count on MobiKin Assistant for Android to have everything ready. If you’re not bothered by the price for getting the lifetime license,this app delivers exceptional performance. The free trial is quite limited, though.

AirMore

No matter if you want to transfer files or you just need to backup some data from Android to Mac, AirMore is there for you. You won’t have to install any app with this one - everything is done online.

Pros:

No download needed
Supports a wide range of Android devices
Can sync notifications and control the phone from your Mac.

Cons:

Slower transfer speed.

Supported OS: Windows, macOS, Android

Price: Free

Conclusion: AirMore is a great Android file transfer PC app that supports wireless connection. The user interface could use an update, though.

Samsung Messages Backup

Samsung Messages Backup is an Android file transfer app for Windows and Mac that allows you to back up your files. You can use it to backup all files from your Samsung phone to your computer with one click, as well as transfer files selectively. Samsung Messages Backup is compatible with macOS X 10.7 and later and Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP and supports various Android phones including Samsung, Huawei and more.

Pros:

Allows viewing internal and external memory of the device
Supports most Android phones
Manage SMS messages on Mac
Backup feature.

Cons:

Some users complain that it can be quite difficult to uninstall the program
To access all features, you’ll need to buy a license.

Supported OS: Windows, macOS

Price: Free

Conclusion: The app delivers smooth transfer. However, to use the full version and unlock additional features, you need to purchase the license.

Wondershare TunesGo

The next best file transfer app Android users can consider is Wondershare TunesGo, an all-in-one solution to import or export data between a phone and computer. It works on Mac and Windows, and is compatible with iOS and Android devices. The app lets you transfer and backup any kind of file, including contacts, photos, and more. Wondershare TunesGo supports phone-to-phone data transfer as well.

Pros:

Cross-platform
Free lifetime updates
Phone-to-phone transfer is supported
Comes with a built-in media player and image viewer.

Cons:

No free version
Quite pricey compared to other software.

Supported OS: Windows, macOS

Price: $49.95 / year

Conclusion: TunesGo is a good solution for managing and transferring the contents of your devices. However, it is not free and the price is quite expensive.

Vibosoft

Vibosoft Android Mobile Manager is a tool for managing Android devices on the computer. You can easily delete, add and edit files, transfer contacts, applications, media files, SMS messages and more to the computer, as well as send SMS directly from your computer.

Pros:

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee
One-click backup and restore feature
Send text messages from your Mac.

Cons:

There is no live chat support.

Supported OS: Windows, macOS

Price: $39.95

Conclusion: Vibosoft Android Mobile Manager is an affordable Android file transfer app for Mac. It is a good option, however, only one person can use an individual license.

Syncios

Syncios Mobile Manager for Mac allows its users to transfer more than 12 types of data from Android devices to Mac. It comes with a one-click backup feature and also supports phone-to-phone transfer. Besides supporting all Android devices, it is compatible with iOS.

Pros:

Free to use
Compatible with iOS and Android devices
Works with a wide range of phone brands
Restore files from iTunes backup to Android.

Cons:

Sometimes there may be problems related to transferring/backing up very large files.

Supported OS: Windows, macOS

Price: $29.95

Conclusion: Even though it’s last on the list, Syncios is a good Android File Transfer alternative Mac users can rely on. It comes with a clean, intuitive interface and supports macOS X 10.9.0 and later.

Why do one need an Android File Transfer Mac alternative

As we mentioned earlier, Android File Transfer from Google is a free app for Mac to help you transfer files between Mac and Android device and vice versa. To move a file, all you need to do is install the app on your computer and connect your Android device via USB cable, selecting the MTP option.

Android File Transfer works on most Android devices and supports macOS 10.7 and higher. But still there is no version for Windows and iOS devices. Transferring files is quite simple - you only need to select the required files and drag them from your device to your Mac or the other way round.

Although the app is easy to use, sometimes you may encounter the problem of Android File Transfer not working on Mac. For example, after connecting your phone and MacBook, you may suddenly get a warning message that you cannot connect to the device. It can be difficult to understand why the Android File Transfer app is not working and you may need to get support. However, the support is only available through Google’s knowledge base and it’s limited enough. The app also comes with a rather basic feature set compared to apps described above.

Alternative ways to transfer files between Android and Mac

If you’re looking for even more alternatives to Android File Transfer, we have a couple more for you. It includes an online solution, through cloud services and an offline one, through the SD card.

Cloud Services - Online Solution

If you are using the same Google Account on both your Android device and the Mac, you can make use of it to transfer files. You first need to upload the files from the source device and then download them on the final device. Or, you can just keep them online for easy access whenever you have an internet connection.

SD Card - Offline Solution

If you don’t want to use any online Android File Transfer Mac alternative, going old-school is also an option. An SD card is the way out if you want to go offline for a file transfer. Just backup everything on the SD card, then put it in an adaptor and insert it in your Mac to copy everything. It goes without saying that the process works backwards as well!

Conclusion

Now that you know all the best Android File Transfer alternatives, it's time to decide which app to use. All programs on the list do an excellent job of transferring data from Android to Mac and vice versa. But given the feature set, convenience, intuitive design, and the multiple ways of connecting Android devices to your Mac, MacDroid takes the crown. If you are looking for an efficient way to connect Android to Mac, it’s definitely worth a try.

FAQ

1. Why is my Android File Transfer not working?

There are many reasons why AFT won’t work when trying to transfer files from Android to Mac. The USB cable could be faulty, your phone or computer may not be upgraded to the latest versions, or your phone could be set to a different mode. Check all of these to see if your problem is fixed or just go with an Android file transfer Mac alternative.

2. How do I uninstall Android File Transfer?

Uninstalling Android File Transfer is a piece of cake. You can either use its uninstaller that you can easily find with Finder, or remove the program directly from Finder. You can also remove it through the Launchpad and then clicking on the small “X” on the top-left corner of the app.

3. How do I transfer files from my Android phone to my Mac via USB?

Using one of the solutions presented above provides you with the easiest way for Android data transfer via USB. MacDroid is the fastest and most versatile app for this operation and it comes with a free trial to test its power making it the perfect alternative to Android File Transfer Mac users can hope for.

4. How do I enable file transfer on Android?

When you connect Android to Mac or PC, a pop-up will appear on the display. It’s the moment you choose the connection mode and tell the phone what the USB connection will be used for. Select “File Transfer” when prompted and you will then be able to perform.

5. What is the fastest way to transfer files between Android phones?

One of the quick and easy ways to transfer files from Android to Android is to use your phone's Bluetooth feature. Using Bluetooth, you can share videos, music and images wirelessly.