Developed by Google, Android File Transfer is a quick solution for transfers between Android devices and Mac computers. However, it has not been updated for a long time, so most users are looking for a reliable Android File Transfer alternative. With that in mind, we've compiled some of the best apps in this article.
If you own an Android phone and macOS computer and have ever used an Android File Transfer, you’re probably familiar with the numerous errors you can encounter during the process. The issues that come up with Android File Transfer can range from the phone not being in the proper USB mode, the app isn’t updated, and more. No matter what the issues are, you’ll need to find an alternative. Check out the best apps to complete a file transfer.
Learn more about the best Android File Transfer alternatives
MacDroid is the all-in-one transfer app that delivers exceptional service on all macOS versions, including Monterey. It is lightweight, so you will never have to worry about system resources when using it.
MacDroid lets you easily connect Android to Mac and provides an efficient and smooth file transfer between these devices. If you choose this alternative to Android File Transfer Mac app, you will be able to rapidly move videos, music, and images from one device to the other. Also, you won’t ever need any extra software or drivers. Your USB cable is enough to transfer any files with ease.
How to Connect Android and Mac Using MacDroid
Using MacDroid to quickly transfer files between an Android device and your Mac computer is straightforward and intuitive. However, since we want all our readers to have an easy time, we’ve put together a complete guide on how to complete the transfers. With MacDroid you will be able to transfer files using the MTP and ADB mode, we’ll check both.
Connect your Android phone using the USB cable that came with it.
After the MTP connection is completed, you will see your Android device in “Device list” on the left side of the app.
Using ADB Mode to Transfer Files Between Android and Mac
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:
Connect your phone using your USB cable.
Once the app recognizes your phone you will see a message on the display asking you to “Always allow this computer” - click it.
After checking out all its features, it’s easy to establish MacDroid as the best alternative solution to transfer files. The versatility it offers coupled with the multiple modes to connect Android devices make it a great app to perform all transfers, no matter if it’s music, documents, videos, or other files.
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MacDroid
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MacDroid
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ApowerManager
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dr.fone - Phone Manager
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TunesGo
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Vibosoft Android Mobile Manager
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iSkysoft Phone transfer
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MobiKin Assistant for Android
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Coolmuster Android Assistant for Mac
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Syncios
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Android File Transfer
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OpenMTP
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MTP mode
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MTP mode
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ADB mode
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ADB mode
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Folder transfer
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Folder transfer
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File transfer
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File transfer
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Media transfer
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Media transfer
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Finder integration
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Finder integration
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On-the-phone file edit
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On-the-phone file edit
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Single Mac app
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Single Mac app
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Device compatibility - Full
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Device compatibility - Full
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Vast
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Vast
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Vast
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Vast
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Vast
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Vast
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Vast
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Vast
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Connectivity issues
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Vast
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$1.67/mo
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$1.67/mo
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$39.95/year
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$29.95/year
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$29.95/year
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$39.95
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$39.95
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$29.95
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$29.95
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$29.95
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free
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free
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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.
Pros:
Cons:
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 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:
Cons:
Supported OS: macOS, Windows
Price: $29.99
Conclusion: Excellent functionality and a smooth interface to transfer files between Android and Mac or Windows.
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:
Cons:
Supported OS: macOS, Windows
Price: Free
Conclusion: An excellent open-source solution for easily transfer files from your mobile devices to your computer.
With a very well-chosen name, HandShaker makes long-time rivals Android and macOS shake hands. This means you will be able to enjoy high-speed transfer between Android and macOS via Wi-Fi. If you’re looking for an alternative to android file transfer Mac, you should check it.
Pros:
Cons:
Supported OS: macOS, Android
Price: Free
Conclusion: A great app that won’t cost you a thing. However, it didn’t receive any updates since 2017 so approach with care.
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:
Cons:
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.
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:
Cons:
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.
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:
Cons:
Supported OS: Android, macOS
Price: Free
Conclusion: Lightweight and functional app to transfer files from Android to macOS. Unfortunately, it has no support for Windows as well.
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:
Cons:
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.
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:
Cons:
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 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:
Cons:
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.
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:
Cons:
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 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:
Cons:
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 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:
Cons:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
After you’ve read about every possible way to transfer files from Android to Mac and vice versa, it’s time to draw a conclusion. Judging by the multiple functions offered and the multiple ways of connecting Android devices to your Mac, MacDroid takes the crown. The free trial is perfect to convince yourself of its features and you will unleash the full power to take care of bulk transfers and syncing all your data when you upgrade to Pro.
