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Connect Samsung to Mac: Top Solutions in 2024

Ivan Korol Ivan Korol Feb 14, 2024

Having a Samsung smartphone and a Mac is a relatively unusual combination. And if you try to connect them simply using a USB cable, your Mac won't recognize the phone. So how to make your Mac compatible with an Android device? For this purpose, you will need a file transfer app. There is a native Samsung application - Smart Switch. But the list doesn't end there. You have many Smart Switch alternative solutions to connect Android to Mac via USB or wirelessly.

Users situation:

Bit of an odd question, but is it possible to pair a Samsung S21 Ultra to a MacBook Pro vaguely in the same way you could an iPhone — Reddit

How to Connect Samsung Phone to Mac using MacDroid

MacDroid is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to connect Samsung phone to Mac. This Android file transfer app is designed specifically for macOS and supports all Android and MTP devices. MacDroid gives you access to your phone's content right in Finder so that you can easily share files and even folders between your devices.

MacDroid
4.7 Rank based on 556 + users Reviews(439)
Requirements: macOS 10.13
Version: v1.8.160, Released 25 Aug, 2023 Release notes
Category: Utilities

It comes with an easy to use and nice interface. You can transfer photos, videos, and music, work with entire folders, and edit Android files right on your Mac without copying them. All you need to establish a connection is a USB cable and an application installed on your Mac. Once your device is connected, you will be able to access files and data stored on your phone in the Finder.

On top of that, MacDroid offers two connection modes: MTP (perfect for beginners) and ADB (designed for more advanced users). Using MacDroid, you can connect your Samsung phone to Mac in a matter of minutes.

Supported OS: macOS, Android

Price: free version, all features you can get for $19.99

MacDroid is one of the easy ways to connect Samsung to Mac.

icon pros Pros:

  • Works with unlimited Android devices
  • Allows you to edit files on your Mac without copying them
  • Offers a free version
  • Comes with MTP and ADB modes
  • View internal and external storage of the device.

icon cons Cons:

  • The free version only allows you to transfer files from Android to Mac
  • Connect only via USB.

How to use MacDroid:

1
Download and install MacDroid on your Mac.
2
Connect your Samsung to Mac using USB cable.
3
Next, select MTP.
4
In the MacDroid window, hit "Next" and select "File transfer" option if prompted on your Samsung device.

 When you hit 'File transfer' your device appear in the device list.
5
Your device will appear in the Device list. Click "Mount" to establish the connection.

 You establish a connection between your Android and Mac when you click 'Mount'.
6
You will see your phone as an external disk on your Mac. Now you can start transferring files.
MacDroid

Connect Samsung Phone to Mac with AirDroid

Another great way to connect a Samsung phone to Mac is using AirDroid. It is a cross-platform file transfer app that connects your devices wirelessly, via Wi-Fi. With AirDroid, you can transfer and manage your phone’s files, including photos, videos, and apps from your computer, and even share messages between devices. AirDroid supports Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac computers. Apart from the desktop and mobile versions, there is also the web client.

Price: free, paid version starts from 3.99/mo.

AirDroid allows connecting Samsung to your Mac wireless.

icon pros Pros:

  • Compatible with Mac and Windows
  • Doubles as a web-based client
  • Wireless connection
  • In addition to file transfer, there are features like mirroring, remote control, etc.

icon cons Cons:

  • Sometimes it fails to connect.

How to use AirDroid:

1
Install the app from Google Play Store.
2
On your Mac, visit AirDroid.com and create an account.
3
Sing in using your credentials, QR code, or Facebook/Google/Twitter account.
4
Once your device is connected to your Mac, you will be able to browse your phone’s content from computer.

How to Connect Samsung Phone to Computer with Android File Transfer

Android File Transfer is a free application for Android devices. Like previous solutions, it lets connect Android to Mac and transfer files between your devices. However, Android File Transfer hasn’t been updated for a long time and you may experience some issues while trying to connect. Besides, you can only copy one file at a time and that's it.

Price: completely free

AFT is a free solution to connect Samsung to Mac.

icon pros Pros:

  • Completely free
  • Fast transfer speed
  • Developed by Android.

icon cons Cons:

  • Errors may occur when connecting or transferring.

How to use Android File Transfer:

1
Download and install Android File Transfer on your Mac.
2
Use a USB cable to connect your Android phone to your Mac.
3
Open Android File Transfer.
4
From now on, you will be able to browse and transfer files.

How to Connect Samsung Phone to Mac using Smart Switch

Developed by Samsung, Smart Switch is an application that allows you to manage Samsung device and move files from one phone to another. It is available as a mobile and desktop application. With Smart Switch for Mac/Windows, you can backup, restore and sync your phone’s data and files. Also, it can be used to sync your phone with Outlook/Mac address book.

If you have a new Samsung phone and want to transfer files from your old phone to it, you can use the Smart Switch mobile app. It works on Android and iOS devices and supports data transfer by using USB cable or via wireless network.

Price: free

It’s application that allows transferring files between your Samsung and Mac.

icon pros Pros:

  • Completely free
  • Easy to use
  • Backup and restore data with one click.

icon cons Cons:

  • Designed more for backup and transfer rather than everyday use.

How to use Smart Switch on Mac:

1
Download and install Smart Switch on your Mac.
2
Connect your Samsung phone to your computer using USB cable.
3
Open Smart Switch and select the "Backup" option.
4
A list of categories that can be backed up will display.
5
Select items you want to back up and click "Backup".
6
Smart Switch will start copying your phone’s data and save it on your Mac.

Connect Your Samsung to Mac with SyncMate

SyncMate is a sync software for macOS that works with all Android and iOS devices. It helps to keep your devices in sync. Before you can get started with SyncMate, you need to establish and maintain a connection with your device. There are three connection types: via USB, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Although Android devices can’t be mounted as a disk, you can sync their data and access it locally.

Price: free version, Pro starts from $39.95

SyncMate is a sync software that has three connection types.

icon pros Pros:

  • Offers three types of connection
  • Free synchronization of contacts and calendars
  • Works with a wide range of devices.

icon cons Cons:

  • More features in the Expert version
  • USB connection with ADB only.

How to use SyncMate:

1
The first time you use it, connect your device via USB.
2
Once done, the SyncMate module for Android will be automatically installed on your device.
3
Launch the module and enable it.
4
Now configure the connection settings for your Android device.
5
That’s it! Now you can sync data, media files, and folders.

Conclusion

There are many applications that will help you create a Samsung connection to Mac, and as you can see, it's not that difficult. In this article, we have reviewed some of the most efficient and convenient solutions to quickly connect Android to Mac, and hopefully, you can find something interesting for you. Choose one that is easy to use, suits its purpose, and offers fast and smooth data transfers, such as MacDroid.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Yes, there are multiple solutions to help you connect Samsung phone to Mac computer. Such third-party apps as MacDroid make this process as easy as possible.
If your Samsung won't connect to your Mac, check your USB cable and make sure it's not damaged. Also, make sure your devices have the latest software. Alternatively, you can try another file transfer app.
When it comes to how to transfer photos from Samsung to Mac, you will need a third-party app. Find the software that suits your needs, install it on your Mac, connect your devices, and you will be able to view and transfer files from Samsung to Mac.
Samsung file transfer Mac app is all you need. You can try any solution reviewed in the article. Each will help you easily connect Samsung and Mac and share files from one device to another.
MacDroid

Break transfer barrier between Android and Mac

Requires macOS 10.13 or newer; compatible with all Android and MTP devices
View Android files on Mac with MacDroid.
Requires macOS 10.13 or newer; compatible with any Android and MTP devices
4.7 overall rank,
based on 556+ users, Reviews(439)
Version 1.8.160,
released on 25 Aug, 2023