Tech crews who bounce between Android and macOS daily know the difficulty: cables everywhere, Wi‑Fi work‑arounds, and an occasional “Device can’t be accessed” pop‑up. This guide presents three field-tested methods to transfer files between an Android mobile phone and a MacBook.
Connect your Android device to Mac via USB
If we’re talking about 8 GB 4K video clips on a Galaxy S24, the USB connection has the highest data transfer speed.
- Prepare the hardware. Use a quality USB‑C‑to‑USB‑C (or USB‑C‑to‑USB‑A) cable rated for data. A charge‑only lead does not suit your needs.
- Pick the right mode. On the smartphone, pull down Quick Settings → USB preferences → File transfer / Android Auto.
- Mount Android in Finder. Install Android File Transfer (AFT) from Google. Launch it once; after that, Finder sees Pixel_8 or similar to an external drive.
- Drag, drop, done. You can now move pictures, APKs, or entire project folders at up to 450 MB/s on USB 3.2.
Step‑by‑Step Guide: Connecting Android to Mac via Wi‑Fi
Wi‑Fi plus ADB wireless debugging keeps you in the zone, even if you’re at a distance.
- Switch on developer options. Go to Settings → About phone → Build number and tap seven times.
- Turn on wireless debugging. In Developer options, toggle Wireless debugging and note the IP: Port pair (e.g., 192.168.0.24:5555).
- Fire up Terminal on macOS.
bash
adb connect 192.168.0.24:5555 - Open Android File Transfer or Finder. The device appears just as if it were tethered physically, letting you upload class notes or transfer game builds wirelessly.
Tip: Wi‑Fi 6 routers consistently push 80–90 MB/s, which is fast enough to stream photos into Lightroom without lag.
MacDroid as an alternative for Android File Transfer
Google’s AFT hasn’t been updated since Monterey. MacDroid steps in with M‑series chip support, auto‑reconnection, and the option to browse Android storage inside Finder tabs—no extra window. Install the client, grant ADB permissions on the phone, and you’re live.
For a quick setup, grab the installer and connect Android to Mac—one click, and you’re ready!
Field note. The MacDroid’s QA engineer keeps the software running on a Mac mini build server, so every nightly build copies straight to ten test devices. It saves an hour of manual syncing.
Troubleshooting Common Connection Glitches
- Mac displays “Can’t access device.” Re‑enable File transfer on the Android phone; some OEM skins default back to “Charge only” after 30 minutes of idle.
- AFT crashes on launch. Delete ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Android File Transfer and reinstall; corrupt prefs are a known issue on Sonoma 14.4.
- ADB over Wi‑Fi drops. Reserve the phone’s IP in your router’s DHCP table or switch to a 5 GHz‑only SSID to dodge band steering hiccups.
Method Comparison at a Glance
| Method | Average Speed | Best Use‑Case | Extra Tools |
| USB cable | 300–450 MB/s | Large media archives, OS images | Android File Transfer / Finder |
| Wi‑Fi (ADB) | 40–90 MB/s | Quick edits, code pushes, working away from the desk | ADB CLI, Android File Transfer |
| MacDroid app | 250 MB/s on USB, 80 MB/s wirelessly | Continuous syncing, multiple devices | MacDroid client |
When it is necessary to upload a fresh prototype, grab time-lapse footage, or back up thousands of photos before a factory reset, remember these three paths that let you access Android from Mac. It’s a must-have for Mac‑based developers and content creators. Pick the approach that fits the moment, keep one reliable cable in your bag, and your cross-platform workflow will stay friction‑free.
Also Read: 4 Best Ways to Download YouTube Video on PC/Mac/iPhone/Android
