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Transfer files from Samsung to Mac: Best 6 Solutions

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.

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

Learn easy solutions to share Samsung files with Mac

  1. Best way to transfer Samsung files for Mac - MacDroid
  2. Try Smart Switch to transfer content with your Mac
  3. Transfer files from Samsung using Android File Transfer
  4. Use Dr.Fone to transfer Samsung files to Mac
  5. SyncMate: alternative for transferring Samsung files to Mac
  6. Another alternative to transfer Samsung files to Mac - AirDroid

Best way to transfer Samsung files for Mac - MacDroid

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
Direct download

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.

Supported OS: macOS, Android

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

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
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.

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

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 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.

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

Price: Free

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.

Transfer files from Samsung using Android File Transfer

This is the official solution to the Samsung Android File Transfer problem. With Android File Transfer, 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 tin, nothing more, nothing less.

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

Supported OS: macOS, Android

Price: Free

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.

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 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, Android, iPhone (separate purchases for different system combinations)

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

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.

SyncMate: 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.

Supported OS: macOS, Android, iOS

Price: $39.95

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.

Another alternative to transfer Samsung files to Mac - AirDroid

One more Samsung file transfer Mac solution is AirDroid. It is a free application that 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

Price: Free version, Premium from $2.50/month

How to transfer files using AirDroid

1
First, download and install the app on your smartphone.
2
From your Mac, go to web.airdroid.com and sign in by scanning the QR code.
3
Once done, you will be able to view and browse the contents of your phone and move files to Mac or vice versa.

Comparison Table

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Swipe tip
Top features
MacDroid
MacDroid
Smart Switch
Android File Transfer
Dr.Fone
AirDroid
SyncMate
Platform compatibility
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
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  
Trial  

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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:

You will need a third party file transfer app. You can choose any of the suggestions listed in the article. Alternatively, you can use cloud services such as Google Drive to transfer files.
MacDroid is an all-in-one solution that helps you connect Samsung to Mac and transfer any kind of files. It works with all Android and MTP devices and offers two operation modes.
MacDroid

Break transfer barrier between Android and Mac

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Subscribe to PRO
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