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Android File Transfer Does Not Work on Mac

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However, since you use Android Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) to transfer files to a computer, it is not supported by default on the Mac. As a result, users will need to install Android File Transfer for Android on their Macs to copy files from Android to Mac. Sometimes Android File Transfer on Mac does not work and displays an error message, such as:

  • Android File Transfer "Unable to connect to the device. Reconnect or restart your device ";

  • "No Android device found. Please connect your Android device via a USB cable first ";

  • "No access to device memory";

  • "File could not be copied".

Android MTP does not work

If Android File Transfer does not work anymore and you can not connect your Samsung S10 / S9 / S8 / S7 / S6 / S5 / Note 8, LG G6 / G5 etc. to the Mac, try the following tips to handle the problem ,

Why does not Android File Transfer work on my Mac?

Android File Transfer could not connect your Android device for one of the following reasons:

  • The USB cable you are using is faulty.

  • File transfer on your Android device has not been activated.

  • You have Samsung Kies or Smart Switch installed on the Mac.

  • Your Mac or Android device does not support Android File Transfer.

  • The USB port is broken on your Mac.

Unfortunately, if it concerns the last reason, we can not do anything about it. If Android File Transfer stops working for other reasons, try these tricks.

Repair Android MTP to Mac

1. Make sure your device is supported for this feature.

Android File Transfer works on Mac OS X 10.5 or later computers. The connected Android device needs to be upgraded to Android 3.0 and later.

2. Enable USB debugging

It is important that USB debugging is enabled for the computer to recognize your phone. 

  • Go to Settings> Developer Options and make sure that USB debugging is enabled.

  • If the computer does not recognize your device, enable USB debugging and try connecting again. If the developer option is not displayed, follow these instructions to enable USB debugging .

Enable USB debugging

3. Select File transfers for Android

After you've connected your Android phone to your Mac, Android File Transfer will not show your device immediately, so you'll need to do the following:

  1. Unlock your Android phone,

  2. Enable USB debugging;

  3. Tap the "USB for ..." notification and select File transfers.

Make sure you have done this.

Use USB for transferring files

4. Take a working USB cable.

The most common connection problem is caused by cables. Find another USB cable and connect your Android device or tablet to the Mac with the new cable. Then, Android File Transfer will usually detect your device this time. If not, read on.

5.Disinstall Samsung Kies or Smart Switch

For those who can not connect their Samsung Galaxy S10 / S10 / S9 / S8 / S7 / S6 / S5 / S4 / Note 8 / Note 5 to the Mac, they should check if Samsung Kies or Smart Switch is installed on their Mac , If you have any of the apps, uninstall the apps as Android File Transfer can sometimes cause problems with Kies or Smart Switch.

Samsung gravel

6. Reinstall Android File Transfer

The last resort is to uninstall and then reinstall Android File Transfer on your Mac.

Alternative to Android MTP on Mac

After Google does not update Android File Transfer, the application stops working from time to time. That's why many users are switching to an alternative to Android File Transfer. If you need to copy Android files to the Mac to make a backup, you can use FonePaw Android Backup & Restore .

The program can selectively transfer files from an Android phone to Mac. It supports Android devices from Android 2.3 to Android 8.0, including Samsung, LG, Pixel, Nexus, etc. You can easily backup and transfer the mobile data on Mac or PC , such as photos, messages, contacts, videos, music, documents, etc.

Download Android Backup & Recovery for free on Mac.

DownloadDownload

  1. Start the program and connect your Android to the Mac. The phone is recognized immediately;

  2. Select Android Backup then the data types to save. If you want to protect the backup with password , mark Encrypt backup.

  3. Click on Start. Then a backup will be created for your Android data on the Mac.

Tip :

  • If you want to back up all files from your Android phone to Mac, choose One-Click Backup instead of skipping the steps.

  • If you want to restore Android data from backup to Mac. Use Android Data Recovery or One-Click Restore to recover your date.

Android backup and recovery


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