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Samsung File Transfer: Mac Solutions

When it comes to USB file transfer, Android file transfer macOS utilities are required - the system doesn’t support these devices natively. Dozens of apps exist to fill this niche. The article below contains our top Samsung mounting software picks. If you want to use cables to connect your gadgets, these are the right tools for the job.

Top choice
MacDroid
4.7 Rank based on 556+ users, Reviews(439)
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Samsung file transfer to Mac is easy with MacDroid.
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Use MacDroid to Samsung File Transfer Mac

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Learn easy solutions to share Samsung files with Mac:

  1. Solution 1: MacDroid: Best way to transfer Samsung files for Mac
  2. Solution 2: Try Smart Switch to transfer content with your PC or Mac
  3. Solution 3: Transfer files from Samsung to PC using Android File Transfer
  4. Solution 4: Use Dr.Fone to transfer Samsung files to Mac
  5. Solution 5: SyncMate: Another alternative for transferring Samsung files to Mac
  6. Comparison Table
  7. Conclusion

Solution 1: MacDroid: Best way to transfer Samsung files for Mac

MacDroid

4.7 Rank based on 556 + users Reviews(439)
Requirements: macOS 10.12
Version: v1.5.128, Released 30 May, 2022 Release notes
Category: System Utilities
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Purchase

Samsung to Mac file transfer is easy when you have MacDroid. This app detects and mounts Android drives, creating an accessible directory under the Locations category. A disk mounted by MacDroid can be fully manipulated in Finder - you can copy, move, delete, rename, and view without copying files to your system.

Many devices use MTP to connect to computers, not just Androids. This includes media players and cameras. The same easy procedure will work for every compatible gadget, without the need to configure MacDroid.

In addition to MTP, MacDroid can do Samsung Android file transfer to Mac via ADB. This protocol supports multiple file operations at once, and it doesn’t cause any issues with file browsing during active transfers. Not every phone supports ADB, but if yours does, MacDroid is one of the few utilities that can make use of it.


MacDroid allows you transfer files from your Android to Mac.

icon pros Pros:

  • Simple UI
  • The mounted device shows up in file managers
  • Both MTP and ADB-compatible
  • Supports countless devices.

icon cons Cons:

  • The free version doesn’t transfer files to Android
  • PRO is subscription-based.

How to file transfer Mac to Samsung:

1
Get the MacDroid .dmg installer on its website.
2
Once installed, open the app. If collapsed, it can be expanded from the Menu Bar icon.
3
Connect the Samsung phone using a USB adapter.
4
Select "MTP mode" from the menu on the left.

Select MTP Mode to continue working.
5
Follow the provided steps.
6
When necessary, choose "File transfer" from the pop-up on your phone.

Choose 'File transfer' from the pop-up on your phone.
7
Open Finder, and you’ll see your phone under Locations!

Supported OS: macOS, Android

Price: free trial, full version is $19.99/year

There is a quick guide how to transfer files from Android to Mac.

Solution 2: Try Smart Switch to transfer content with your PC or Mac

Smart Switch is very limited on non-Samsung phones, to the point where it’s not worth considering. But if you have a Samsung, it shines. This absolutely free app can connect to your Mac both via USB and over Wi-Fi. From there on, you can navigate your phone’s filesystem and select the files that need to be imported or exported. Sadly, it can’t mount phone disks directly in Finder, and the UI is rather awkward. But it’s the only truly free wireless transfer app we know. Plus, Smart Switch can quickly backup your phone data.

Smart Switch can connect to your Mac both via USB and over Wi-Fi, but limited on non-Samsung phones.

icon pros Pros:

  • Free app
  • Supports wireless connection
  • Backup features.

icon cons Cons:

  • File transfer done via internal file browser
  • No hotkey copying/pasting; only "import selection"
  • Only fully compatible with Samsung phones.

How to transfer files from Samsung to Mac using Samsung Smart Switch:

1
Open Samsung Smart Switch.
2
Connect your phone and your Mac with a USB cable.
3
Your Samsung will be recognized by the app. Click the "Down arrow" button next to the device’s name.
4
Click the folder icon to open the internal File Browser.
5
Select and drag files onto your desktop or into a Finder window to transfer them.

Supported OS: macOS, Windows (Android and iOS for one-way transfers)

Price: Free

Solution 3: Transfer files from Samsung to PC using Android File Transfer

This is the official solution to the Android/Mac connection problem. With Android File Transfer, a Samsung to Mac file transfer won’t require much effort. But it won’t be very convenient, since you can only drag files to and from the integrated file browser - no copying and no cutting allowed. Does what it says on the tin, nothing more, nothing less.

Android File Transfer is free solution, but Internal file manager is inconvenient.

icon pros Pros:

  • Totally free
  • Works on most Android phones.

icon cons Cons:

  • Internal file manager is inconvenient.

How to transfer content from Android to Mac with Android File Transfer:

1
Launch Android File Transfer.
2
It will prompt you to connect an Android device. Do it.
3
A file browser will open. Drag files in and out of it to transfer.

Supported OS: macOS, Android

Price: Free

Solution 4: Use Dr.Fone to transfer Samsung files to Mac

Dr.Fone prices are off the charts, but the software does its job. Both wireless and wired Samsung Android file transfer to macOS is possible in this Phone Manager. Like many other apps, this one is only limited to the internal file browsing UI. On the positive side, Dr.Fone Phone Manager can copy contacts, calendar info, apps, and other hard-to-find phone data. Uniquely, the app can exchange files between your Android device and iTunes.

Dr.Fone is nice solution for transfer files from Samsung to Mac but expensive.

icon pros Pros:

  • Can connect wirelessly
  • Backs up data (additional purchase)
  • iTunes-compatible.

icon cons Cons:

  • Extremely expensive with a restrictive licensing system
  • Files only accessible from the built-in file manager.

How to files transfer Mac to Samsung with Dr.Fone:

1
Open the Phone Manager. Attach your device.
2
Select any of the file tabs or just Explorer.
3
Checkmark the files you want to transfer.
4
Click the "Export" button (an arrow coming out of a phone).
5
Select the target directory and confirm your selection.

Supported OS: macOS, Windows, Android, iPhone (separate purchases for different system combinations)

Price: $49.95 for the macOS/Android utility; may cost more for additional modules

Solution 5: SyncMate: Another alternative for transferring Samsung files to Mac

SyncMate is a utility that’s centered around remote and wired syncing between both mobile and desktop systems. In order to do this, a connection profile needs to be created, which takes a bit of time and effort to set up - more than the usual plug-and-play approach. File types, folders, and other options can be specified for a connection. It’s an intricate piece of software - SyncMate lets you file transfer Mac to Samsung, but it’s better suited for other uses.

SyncMate lets you file transfer Mac to Samsung, but it’s better suited for other uses.

icon pros Pros:

  • Automated syncing
  • Wireless connection possible.

icon cons Cons:

  • More difficult to use than other apps
  • Mainly intended for backups - no manual transfer.

How to transfer files from Samsung to Mac using SyncMate:

1
Add a new connection. Select "Android" and follow the provided steps.
2
Use the tabs to specify the files you want to transfer.
3
Add a new tab (with the "+") if you want to add a different category of synced files.
4
Click "Apply" and wait for the transfer to finish.

Supported OS: macOS, Android, iOS

Price: $39.95

Comparison Table

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Swipe tip
Top features
MacDroid
MacDroid
Smart Switch
Android File Transfer
Dr.Fone
SyncMate
Platform compatibility
Platform compatibility
Any Android or MTP-compatible device  
Samsung Android devices  
Any Android device  
Any Android/iOS device  
Android, iOS, MTP devices, cloud drives  
Wireless connection
Wireless connection
 
 
 
 
 
Device visible in Finder
Device visible in Finder
 
 
 
 
iOS only  
ADB support
ADB support
 
 
 
 
 
Backup features
Backup features
 
 
 
 
 
Сompletely free
Сompletely free
Trial  
 
 
Trial  
Trial  

Conclusion

As you can see, despite the great variety of available software, few apps are actually good for a simple Samsung Android file transfer to Mac. Advanced software is often overmarketed to cater to users with simple needs, but simple features can suffer from the app’s intended, specific use case. Not to mention the price tag. Consider other solutions if you want to automate backups, for example. If sending files back and forth is all you need, MacDroid, Android File Transfer, or Samsung Smart Switch are a safe bet.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Using Samsung Smart Switch, you can do it over USB or Wi-Fi. Launch the app. If the phone is connected to the same network, or to a USB port, it should be recognized automatically. Afterward, choose the desired action.
To start a Samsung Android Mac file transfer, you can try MacDroid. Just launch the app, hook up the phone via USB, and follow the MTP mode instructions. You’ll be able to access the files on the phone, just like on PC.
Once you’ve connected your phone using Smart Switch, you need to click the down arrow next to its name and select "File Browser". There, you’ll be able to import and export files one by one.
MacDroid

Break transfer barrier between Android and Mac

Download Free
Subscribe to PRO
Requires macOS 10.12 or newer; compatible with all Android and MTP devices
View Android files on Mac with MacDroid.
Requires macOS 10.12 or newer; compatible with any Android and MTP devices
4.7 overall rank,
based on 556+ users, Reviews (439)
Version 1.5.128,
released on 30 May, 2022