Move Files Between Mac and Android

[Scrooge MacDuck]

Anyone in the know? Android File Transfer by Google is only available from shady third-party suppliers now.

Nothing happens upon connexion. No notification to enable FTP, no nothin'.

Please no MacDroid or suchlike. I can't believe there isn't a simple way to connect a $1000+ phone to a $1000+ computer in 2025, - without bloatware, that is.

 

[jamezr]

Anyone in the know? Android File Transfer by Google is only available from shady third-party suppliers now.

Nothing happens upon connexion. No notification to enable FTP, no nothin'.

Please no MacDroid or suchlike. I can't believe there isn't a simple way to connect a $1000+ phone to a $1000+ computer in 2025, - without bloatware, that is.

This works...free and open source....

LocalSend: Share files to nearby devices

LocalSend is a free, open-source, cross-platform file sharing tool that allows you to share files to nearby devices.

localsend.org

 

[macfacts]

Use a usb flash drive.
Or
Ftp server on android and ftp client on mac

 

[BigBlur]

If just needing to transfer a few files, try:

Snapdrop

Instantly share images, videos, PDFs, and links with people nearby. Peer2Peer and Open Source. No Setup, No Signup.

snapdrop.net

Files are transferred P2P locally, they do not go out through the internet.

 

[Scrooge MacDuck]

All those will likely choke on the hundreds of gigabytes the person wants to transfer. I mean, we still need workarounds to connect an MTP device to a Mac in 2025? All the more reason to dislike the Apple (and Google) of today for not being able to play nice with each other even in the most simple of things. Seems owning 'em all is a must nowadays if you want stuff to run smoothly, Android, Windows, Mac, flash drives...

 

[benwiggy]

All the more reason to dislike the Apple (and Google) of today for not being able to play nice with each other even in the most simple of things.

What more should Apple be doing? A Mac is a fully functioning network file server. If there isn't an Android app to connect to a network server, then that's hardly Apple's fault.

 

[S.B.G]

You can setup a Syncthing server and then sync files between Mac and Android and any other OS/device. That's how I sync my stuff across platforms and for onsite and offsite backups. Been running it for many years.

 

[Ludatyk]

All those will likely choke on the hundreds of gigabytes the person wants to transfer. I mean, we still need workarounds to connect an MTP device to a Mac in 2025? All the more reason to dislike the Apple (and Google) of today for not being able to play nice with each other even in the most simple of things. Seems owning 'em all is a must nowadays if you want stuff to run smoothly, Android, Windows, Mac, flash drives...

If I'm trying to transfer a GB of files... more than likely I'm using a SSD as go-between.

But I recommend trying out MacDroid, it's more streamline with macOS... it's built into the Finder. I like it... but whenever I'm transfering files among Android and Mac. I'm using what @jamezr mentioned, LocalSend.

 

[Fille84]

What more should Apple be doing? A Mac is a fully functioning network file server. If there isn't an Android app to connect to a network server, then that's hardly Apple's fault.

You should be able to connect with a usb-cable and be able to see the internal storage in finder. But if I remember correctly you can't even do that with an iPhone so I guess that's too much to ask from Apple.

 

[benwiggy]

You should be able to connect with a usb-cable and be able to see the internal storage in finder. But if I remember correctly you can't even do that with an iPhone so I guess that's too much to ask from Apple.

I suspect that there are security reasons for not treating an iPhone like an external drive.

 

[Fille84]

I suspect that there are security reasons for not treating an iPhone like an external drive.

Most likely yes. But it makes transferring files way more difficult then with a Windows PC. And if they're concerned about security they should provide easy and secure ways to transfer files for both iPhones and Android then in my opinion.

 

[Bkdodger]

I use localsend as well for my usage it's perfect, sometimes my Google Drive. Android File transfer on Mac has been a mess but in the old days worked nicely.

 

[Scrooge MacDuck]

You should be able to connect with a usb-cable and be able to see the internal storage in finder. But if I remember correctly you can't even do that with an iPhone so I guess that's too much to ask from Apple.

This is the only reasonable way for the bucks we pay them. If their 'security' obsession gets in the way of usability this much, then they should go see a doctor. OSD is called a disorder for a reason.

 

[SoyMaxV]

I had some good experiences with this one: https://openmtp.ganeshrvel.com/

But yeah, in general it's still a pain. The best experience so far has been with Oppo phones and O+ Connect.

 

[macfacts]

I suspect that there are security reasons for not treating an iPhone like an external drive.

A dialog box on the phone(when the phone is unlocked) asking for permission is reasonable, the person already has physical access to the phone.

 

[benwiggy]

they should provide easy and secure ways to transfer files for both iPhones and Android then in my opinion.

Are there really no reliable SMB network client apps for Android? I find that surprising.

 

[macfacts]

Are there really no reliable SMB network client apps for Android? I find that surprising.

Microsoft has nothing to do with android, yet when you plug a android device into a PC, a dialog box pops up on the phone asking for permission and it just shows up in windows explorer. Same thing with a Linux PC.