Transfer files from Samsung to Mac: Best 6 Solutions

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Updated on: November 12, 2024
Time to read: 11 minutes
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As you know, macOS doesn’t support Android devices natively. For Samsung file transfer, you can use an official app called Smart Switch. But also, there are dozens of apps to help you mount your phone and access its content through Finder. The article below contains our top picks for Smart Switch alternative. If you want to use cables to connect your gadgets, these are the right tools for the job.

Learn easy solutions to share Samsung files with Mac
Users situation:
I have just bought a new Samsung A52s phone. File transfer just will not connect. I have tried everything - several cables, several restarts of both phone and Macbook, trying with every app closed. Nothing seems to work. Does anyone have any ideas, please?
— Apple Support Community

Best way to transfer Samsung files for Mac – MacDroid

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, the app 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. And if you are not a fan of cables, you can use a Wi-Fi connection to transfer files between devices.

MacDroid allows you transfer files from your Android to Mac

Supported OS: macOS, Android

Price: free, Pro plan $19.99/year, lifetime $34.99

Pros

  • Simple UI
  • Works in wireless and wired modes
  • Android devices are accessible through Finder
  • Supports countless devices

Cons

  • The free version doesn’t transfer files to Android

How to file transfer Mac to Samsung:

1. Download MacDroid from the App Store or 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.

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!

Alternatively, you can find tutorials about how to connect your Samsung device to a Mac via ADB mode or Wi-Fi in our user guide.

Try Smart Switch to transfer content with your 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 Samsung file transfer 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 categories of content 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 back up your whole phone’s data.

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

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

Price: Free

Pros

  • Free app
  • Supports wireless connection
  • Backup features

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. Download and install Samsug Smart Switch on your Mac.
  2. Launch the app.
  3. Download SmartSwitch Mobile from the Play Store on your phone.
  4. Connect your phone and your Mac with a USB cable.
  5. Your Samsung will be recognized by the app. Click the “Backup” option.
  6. Choose the categories of the data you want to back up and click the “Backup” button.
  7. Wait for the process to be completed.
Note: Samsung Smart Switch can only back up the whole gallery of your phone and not individual files.

Transfer files from Samsung using Android File Transfer

This is the official solution to the Samsung Android File Transfer problem. With AFT, the connection between these two devices won’t require much effort. But the process of transferring won’t be very convenient, since you can only use drag files to and from the integrated file browser – no copying and no cutting allowed. Does what it says on the thing, nothing more, nothing less.

Note: Downloading the Android File Transfer app directly from the official website is no longer possible (since May 2024).
Android File Transfer is free solution, but Internal file manager is inconvenient

Price: Free

Pros

  • Totally free
  • Works on most Android phones

Cons

  • Downloading the Android File Transfer app directly from the official website is no longer possible (since May 2024).

How to transfer content from Android to Mac with AFT:

  1. Launch Android File Transfer on your Mac.
  2. On your phone, tap the “Charging this device via USB” notification and choose “File Transfer” under “Use USB for”.
  3. You can now browse files and folders and transfer them from your Android to your Mac.

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 app. Like many other alternatives, this one is only limited to the internal file browsing UI. On the positive side, Dr.Fone can copy contacts, calendar info, apps, and other hard-to-find phone data. Uniquely, the app can share files between your Android device and iTunes.

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

Supported OS: macOS, Windows

Price: free trial, annual plan $39.95

Pros

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

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. Download and install Dr.Fone on your Mac.
  2. Launch the app and click My Device – > Add new device -> Wireless.
  3. Scan the QR code to download the Dr. Fone Link app on your Android phone.
  4. Open the app on your phone and grant all permissions to the app on your phone. 
  5. After that, choose the Dr.Fone Desktop option.
  6. Use Dr.Fone Link to scan the QR code and wait for the device to connect.
  7. Once connected, the Dr.Fone file explorer will allow you to access every corner of your Android storage.
  8. Select the necessary files and choose the “Export” button.
Note: Connect your Samsung phone and computer to the same Wi-Fi network.

SyncMate: alternative for transferring Samsung files to Mac

SyncMate is an all-in-one solution for syncing multiple devices without needing separate apps. It lets you easily transfer data between your iPhone, Android, and Mac using USB, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. The app syncs calendars, contacts, photos, videos, music, and more, while also allowing you to manage SMS and call history directly from your Mac. 

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

Supported OS: macOS

Price: $39.95

Pros

  • Automated syncing
  • Wireless connection possible

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. Make sure that you have SyncMate downloaded on your Mac.
  2. Open SyncMate > Add new > Android Device and choose the Wi-Fi connection type.
  3. Scan the QR code to download the SyncMate module from the Internet.
  4. Open the module, grant all the required permissions, and ensure that you’ve ticked the box to allow wireless synchronization.
  5. Make sure that your Mac and Android are on the same network.
  6. Continue the connection in the Mac wizard. Android will automatically appear in the list of devices.
  7. Select your Android from the list and continue.
  8. On Android, a connection request will appear; click “Yes, add to list”.
  9. Customize your settings and ensure that your phone syncs with your Mac any time they are in range of each other.

Another alternative to transfer Samsung files to Mac – AirDroid

One more Samsung file transfer Mac solution is AirDroid. The app lets you manage media files stored on your smartphone or tablet directly from a web browser on your computer.  No cables are required to connect devices; the application uses a wireless connection. In addition to file transfer and management, the app also supports remote control, screen mirroring, notifications, and SMS management.

AirDroid offers a free account; however, it comes with some limitations. To remove all restrictions and fully enjoy the software, you need to upgrade to the Premium version.

AirDroid app interface

Supported OS: macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, web version

Price: Free version, Premium from $2.50/month

How to transfer files using AirDroid

  1. On your Mac, visit the AirDroid official site and create an account there.
  2. Go to the web version of the app.
  3. Download AirDroid to your Samsung phone.
  4. Open the app on your phone and log in to your account.
  5. Provide all permissions on the phone.
  6. Return to the web version. Choose exactly what you want to transfer from your phone to your Mac and click the corresponding icon on the screen of your computer.
  7. The file manager will open. After that, select files and click the “Download” button.
Note: Make sure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Transfer Files from Samsung to Mac Using Cloud Services

One of the most convenient ways to transfer files from your phone to your Mac is using cloud services. Most of them are cross-platform, so you can access your data from any device. Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive offer free plans, but with limited storage space. So if you need to transfer small amounts of data, cloud services can be a reliable, free solution.

How to transfer files from Samsung to Macbook via Google Drive

  1. Open Google Drive on your Samsung phone.
  2. Tap the + button and tap “Upload”.
  3. Choose the files or folders you want to upload.
  4. Wait until the download is complete.
  5. Then you can go to Google Drive in the web browser on your Mac and download your files.

How to share your files with Dropbox

  1. Download the Dropbox app to your Samsung.
  2. Tap the + icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.
  3. Select the file or folders you want to share from the list and select Transfer files.
  4. To view and download files on your Macbook, go to the browser version of Dropbox and sign in to your account.
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Comparison Table

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