The manual approach using Android File Transfer is free and uses local storage, but it also has some annoying legacy bugs that have been around for years. The cloud solution is definitely the easiest for everyone, but can have some costs associated with it. Those are our suggestions for the two easiest ways to transfer files from your Android phone to a Mac. This is much easier on a Windows machine where you can use the native file explorer complete with shortcuts and the like. It’s also awkward to have to browse through your phone’s files in the app’s custom explorer with no previews and no quick access to your desktop folders. It’s really quite hit or miss, which is annoying considering this is the official solution from Google. I’ve always had good luck with Pixel devices, but less luck with phones from Samsung, LG, and Xiaomi. For one thing, it can be quite difficult to get the app to recognize your phone, depending on what model you have. While the steps themselves aren’t that hard to understand or follow, Android File Transfer has a nasty history of annoying bugs. In Android File Transfer, find the folder and/or file(s) you want to transfer.Check your notifications bar and change the USB settings to File transfer/MTP mode if it doesn’t. Connect your phone to your Mac via a USB cable, and Android File Transfer should open automatically.You’ll likely be prompted that the app was downloaded from the internet as a quick security check. Drag and drop the Android File Transfer app into the Applications folder in the Finder pop-up.

Download Android File Transfer for Mac from the Android website here.Here’s how to download and use Android File Transfer: Using the official Android File Transfer app from Google, you can transfer files from your Android phone to your Mac. Interested in a more direct method that uses local storage? That’s also possible.

Android view files on mac