Android File Transfer Not Working on Your Mac? Here Are 6 Fixes to Try
Transferring files between macOS and Android devices can be troublesome because of the lack of native support. However, Google’s Android team took the initiative to ensure smooth file transfer between a Mac and Android through its dedicated Android File Transfer tool.
Android File Transfer is fairly easy to use, but it can sometimes stop working. You may run into errors like “Could not connect to the device. Try reconnecting or restarting your device.” Here are some fixes you should try to solve Android File Transfer issues on Mac.
As of 2024, Google has retired the Android File Transfer app for macOS.
1. Update Your Phone’s USB Preferences
The first step you should take after connecting your USB cable to both your Android phone and Mac is to update your USB preferences. It may sound like an Android and Windows thing, but it also applies on Mac because Android doesn’t use File Transfer mode by default when you connect a data transfer cable.
Instead, you’ll have to do it yourself. You’ll know if the USB preferences are the cause if you see an error with the title, “Can’t access device storage.”
After plugging in your cable, open your Android device and swipe down from the top to view the notification shade. Look forCharging this device via USBamong the list of notifications and tap it twice to openUSB Preferencesin theSettingsapp. Once the page opens, selectFile Transfer / Android Auto(some Android phones may use the termMTP) underUse USB for.
Steps for changing the USB preferences may vary, but the basic rules are the same.
Once this option is selected, your Android phone will make its internal memory accessible via the USB cable. Hence, you’ll be able to browse files and folders from your Android device on your Mac. Remember to keep your Android Phone unlocked throughout the transfer process to avoid further issues.
2. Quit Apps Accessing the USB Devices on Your Mac
Suppose you’ve updated your USB preferences but are still facing issues. Chances are another app is already reading your plugged-in USB devices. In this case, Android File Transfer won’t be able to see your files because it has no access to those connected devices.
you’re able to bypass this byclosing all apps on your Macthat are accessing your USB devices. Examples include cloud backup apps like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and even some built-in macOS apps like Preview (for macOS Ventura, and the latest). If closing doesn’t work, you canforce quit an app on Mac.
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The key drawback with this method is it can be hard to tell which open apps can read USB on your Mac. Common culprits are cloud backup apps, but if closing such apps doesn’t fix the issue, trial and error is your last resort. Close open apps on your Mac one by one and try using Android File Transfer each time to see if that solves it.
3. Try a Different Port or USB Cable
Another fix for Android File Transfer issues is to try another USB cable or switch to a different port on your Mac. First, start by troubleshooting your cable. As you may already know, not all USB cables can transfer files. Some are solely meant for charging.
You can test the cable by connecting it to a different device. You can also try using a different cable to see if it works. We highly recommend using the official cable that your Android device came with first. Smartphone companies include quality USB cables that can perform file transfer and charging.
Besides the cable, another possible problem source is the port on your Mac or Android phone. If either port is faulty, no file transfer will take place. Since Macs come with more than one port, try using another one. You won’t have that option on most Android devices, so connect your phone to a different computer to check if the USB port functions correctly.
4. Uninstall and Reinstall Android File Transfer
When you’re using Android File Transfer tomove files between Android and Mac, you may run into issues such as cache problems or conflicting resources. They’re hard to spot, but can be to blame if the app was previously working and has now stopped for no obvious reason.
If you’ve tried everything until now and are still facing issues, try uninstalling the app and then reinstalling it. We recommendusing AppCleaner to completely delete the softwarefrom your system rather than simply dragging it into the Trash. This might give you a fresh start free of transfer troubles.
5. Restart Your Android Phone and Mac
Sure, it sounds like a cliché, but there’s a reasonwhy restarting fixes most smartphone problems. And it’s not just phones; this applies to other devices and even software programs. In a nutshell, it does so by clearing your system’s memory and refreshing resources.
If the source of your problem is conflicts among accumulated temporary files and cache data, preventing Android File Transfer from working as expected, this will give you a fresh start. Restart your Android phone first, then try again. If the issue is not fixed, restart your Mac, and try transferring files again.
6. Update Your Software
According to the team behind Android File Transfer, it supports macOS 10.7 and higher. If you’re using older versions without official support, that may be why the tool is not working. So first, start byupdating your Mac softwareto ensure you’re running the latest version.
Also, downloadAndroid File Transferfrom the official site and install it to ensure you have the tool’s newer version. The last piece of the puzzle is toupdate your Android phone.
Generally, we recommend keeping your software up-to-date as a matter of course. Software updates can improve security, patch existing bugs you may be experiencing, and enhance the overall experience by including new features.
Try Other Methods for Transferring Files Between Mac and Android
If nothing worked, it might be time to try another method for transferring your files. Android File Transfer is not actively maintained, so try other tools if your issues persist.
We recommend OpenMTP, which is open-source and free. Another alternative is to use cross-platform cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox if you have stable unlimited internet connectivity.
Ditch your USB cables and follow this easy guide to use Bluetooth to transfer files from Android to Mac instead, or vice versa.
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