How to transfer files via USB between Android and Mac, the best applications. We use the phone more and more thanks to its enormous ability to do a lot of activities. And this growing use of the smartphone has one main victim- the computer. It is not that computers will disappear because many of us use it for work or for entertainment, but it has suffered a certain decline in importance even for the activities that we used to do only on the big screen. How to manage files.
Page Contents:
From our Android, we can download all types of files, from tablets to reading documents. We can even edit PDF or Word files – all you need is the right application to do this. Now, what if we had a Mac computer and wanted to use it to access information on the phone? This is complicated by a transfer protocol- MTP.
Apple does not offer native support for MTP (multimedia device synchronization protocol) transfers, so you’ll always have to use some kind of software on your computer to access what’s stored on your Android phone via USB. The good news is that there are some great options for transferring files via USB between Android and Mac, read on.
How to transfer files via USB between Android and Mac, the best applications
Android File Transfer (AFT)
It’s Google’s official solution for transferring files via USB between Android devices and a Mac computer. Simple, hassle-free, and automatic- just install and connect an Android via USB with AFT to activate and enable file transfer.
Android File Transfer is free, does not include ads, and can be easily downloaded from this Google page. It works on all computers, although it is usually somewhat erratic – sometimes it has problems detecting the connected device. However, it is the first choice to consider.
OpenMTP
This software is new and very complete- it allows the transfer between Android and macOS via USB, avoiding the elimination of the native incompatibility of the computer with the MTP protocol. It works perfectly for transferring files, has no ads, is free and is developed in open source. According to our tests, it is better than Android File Transfer, but not all Android are supported (with Samsung there are still transfer problems).
OpenMTP is 100% free and free software. If you want to try it, you just have to download the macOS software from Ganesh Rathinavel’s GitHub, its developer.
Transfer files via USB between Android and Mac with MacDroid
This newly created MTP transfer software (also supports file sharing via ADB) is an advanced option over previous Mac applications as it integrates seamlessly with Finder; so you don’t need to use a separate file manager, a big plus. MacDroid allows you to send any type of file between Android and computer or vice versa and allows it to open on the Android device without downloading it to the computer.
MacDroid works really well according to our tests – the experience has been very positive, both in exchanging files and using the manager built into Finder. However, it has its drawbacks- it’s not free. Offers free file transfer in the case of Android to Mac (read mode); while you have to pay to transfer in the opposite direction (€ 19.99 per year). For basic use this is more than fair- you can download MacDroid from its website.
Commander One
We conclude our choice of Mac applications for USB file sharing with Android by talking about Commander One, a complete file management software that goes far beyond simple transfer between devices. And is that Commander One allows you to manage everything that’s installed on your computer, even what’s on connected devices; as well as including support for SSH, FTP, and compatibility with services like Dropbox.
Commander One is a free application that offers a Pro option (€32.99) to unlock most of the options; among them is file transfer between Android and Mac. It’s not the cheapest option and can be very complex if you’re just trying to access Android folders from your computer. Still, it’s a great recommendation – you can download Commander One from the App Store.
