How to Fix Android File Transfer Not Working on Mac

What to do if Android file transfer does not work? The post introduces you a professional and powerful Android files manager to fix the Android file transfer not working issue.

Author Avatar Joy Taylor Last Updated: Dec. 12, 2023

Basically, the built-in file manager on Android device not only allows you to access the files and folder in the internal storage of your phone or tablet, but also enables you to transfer the files between your phone and computer. Connect your Android phone with computer, and then you have the chance to move data between Android device and computer. If you use Mac, install an official Google program called Android File Transfer to computer firstly.

We all are looking forward to smooth sailing, but sometimes due to the hard location of the files that you’d like to transfer or other accidents, the Android file transfer might not work. Then you may be wonder what do I do if Android file transfer is not working? The post focuses on fixing the Android file transfer not working on the Mac issue. Read to get the details.

What Causes Android File Transfer Not Working for Samsung Galaxy S10/9/8

Why are my files not showing up on my Samsung Galaxy S10? Don’t worry, the following are the common reasons why the Mac cannot respond to Android file transfers:

  • The USB cable/Mac’s USB port is damaged.
  • File transfer is not enabled on the Android device.
  • Android device or Mac computer is not compatible with Android file transfer.
  • Samsung Kies or Samsung Smart Switch has been installed on the Mac computer before.

After knowing the reasons why the Android file transfer can’t work on Samsung phones, next, we recommend 6 effective methods to help you solve the problem, please continue reading.

6 Tips to Fix Android File Transfer Not Showing All Files

Tip 1. Make Sure Your Android Device Is Supported

Android File Transfer works on the computer running Mac OS X 10.5 and above. And the Android device connected must be running on Android 3.0 and up.

You can check if your Android device is running the operating system of Android 3.0 and up by following the steps below:

Step 1. Go to Settings on your Android phone.

Step 2. Scroll down and find “About phone”.

Step 3. Tap on “Software information” and then you can see the Android version on your phone.

Check the Android Version on Your Phone

Check the Android Version on Your Phone

Tip 2. Turn on USB Debugging on Android Device

When connecting to a computer, Android differs from the iPhone in that you must manually turn on the USB debugging button to allow the computer to access your phone data. Otherwise, your phone and computer will be in an unlinked state, and data transmission will not be possible. You can follow the instruction below to turn on it on your Android device.

Step 1. On your Android device, go to Settings.

Step 2. And then, find Developer Options, and make sure the USB debugging option is opened.

Turn on USB Debugging

Turn on USB Debugging

Tip 3. Transfer Android Files with DroidKit

As one of the alternatives to android file transfer, if your android file transfer is temporarily unavailable, your best choice is DroidKit, which is a complete solution for all android issues. You can utilize DroidKit to get your files transferred from Android phone to Mac easily. More than that, it enables you to manage & transfer Android data or fix Android connecting problems. Besides, it can solve Android phones are locked by screen lock, FRP lock, etc.

Check how can DroidKit transfer file from an Android Phone to Mac computer:

Step 1. Get DroidKit downloaded on your Mac > Open it and choose Data Manager.

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

Choose the Device Manager

Choose the Device Manager

Step 2. Connect your phone to Mac with a USB cable > Select data you want to transfer. (Let’s take the example of transferring photos.)

Choose Photos in Device Manager

Choose Photos in Device Manager

Step 3. Select any photos you want and click the To Computer button.

Transfer Photo to PC

Transfer Photo to PC

Step 4. After you get the Transfer Complete page, click View Files or you can Transfer More file from Android to Mac.

Data Transferred Successfully

Data Transferred Successfully

Tip 4. Enable File Transfer on Android Device

After connecting Android phone to Mac, a notification will automatically appear on the notification center. Hit the notification to select the Media device (MTP) option.

Enable File Transer on Android Device

Enable File Transer on Android Device

Tip 5. Uninstall Samsung Kies or Smart Switch

For those who use Samsung Galaxy S9/S8/S7/S6/S5/S4/Note 8, check if your Mac has Samsung Kies or Smart Switch installed. If yes, uninstall the apps because Android File Transfer does not work with Kies or Smart Switch.

The above ways have worked for plenty of users. But if unfortunately, they fail to solve your Android file transfer not working problem, a reliable and professional Android file transfer app called DroidKit is recommended to you.

Tip 6. Fix Android File Transfer Not Working with AnyDroid

Why use AnyDroid? The powerful Android files manager can help you fix the Android file transfer not working problem with ease. Check its top features here:

  1. Enable you to access and view Android files on Mac and PC in an intuitive arrangement and help you easily locate the data you want to transfer.
  2. Allow you to selectively choose the files to transfer, for example, only some birthday party photos or part of contacts.
  3. Available to import files to Android device, export files to computer and edit these files as you need.
  4. Support various Android file types, including photos, music, videos, contacts, messages, call logs, books, apps and so on.

Now get AnyDroid downloaded to computer and then do the following instructions to know how to transfer files from Android to Mac within steps.

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

Step 1. Launch AnyDroid and connect your Android device to the computer. On the home screen, choose the Content to Computer option.

Launch AnyDroid and Connect Your Phone to Computer

Launch AnyDroid and Connect Your Phone to Computer

Step 2. Select the files you want to transfer from Android to Mac and click the Next button.

Choose File Categories

Choose File Categories

The Bottom Line

In addition to moving files from Android to Mac or PC computer, DroidKit also supports transfer WhatsApp to computer, access file from SD card, SIM card and so on. The newly updated version even introduces the feature to copy media files in iTunes library to an Android device or computer. Head to get DroidKit to have a try >

Author Avatar
Joy Taylor Twitter Share Facebook Share

Senior writer of the iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android-related issues.

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