How to Share Files From Mac to Android

How to Share Files From Mac to Android

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Using Mac and Android at the same time is fun until you need to do something like move files between the two. Fortunately, several methods are available for sharing files between the two operating systems. The techniques include Google’s FTP app, Bluetooth, and many third-party apps.

Read on to find out some of your options when transferring files from Mac to Android and vice versa.

The following options can be used to transfer files in either direction.

Transfer Android Files

The first Mac file-to-Android transfer option we’ll look at is Google’s Android File Transfer app. Your Mac must have OS X 10.5 and later installed to use it. To transfer your Mac files to Android, follow these steps:

Download and install Transfer Android Files to your Mac.
Launch Android File Transfer. It will open automatically whenever you connect your phone again. Unlock your Android device and connect it to your Mac using a USB cable.
Press Charging this device via USB notification on your phone.
Under Use USB for choose Transfer Files.
A file transfer window will appear on your Mac. Use it to move your files. When finished, remove the USB cable.

bluetooth

Bluetooth is a useful option for wirelessly transferring files between Mac and Android.

Setting up Pairing

First, you’ll need to pair your Mac to your Android device, which you only need to do once because they’ll remain paired until you unpair them. Follow these steps to connect your Mac and Android devices:

On your Mac, open the menu bar or System, PreferenceThen Bluetooth to enable Bluetooth.
Also activate it on your Android device at Arrangement Then bluetooth.
On your Mac, open it System Preferences Then Shareand enable the option Bluetooth sharing. Here you can select the location for received files and what to do with incoming file transfer requests.
On your Android device, select your Mac by opening Arrangement Then bluetooth, and the passcode will appear on both screens. The passcodes must match. To complete the installation, click Connect on your Mac.

Send Files From Mac to Android

The method of sharing files using Bluetooth on your Mac is a little different. While macOS has a similar sharing menu to Android, Bluetooth isn’t an option in the list of available transfer methods. Fortunately, Bluetooth FileExchange, built-in application, can get the job done. Follow these steps to send files from your Mac to your Android device:

Navigate to Applications Then Utilities to open Bluetooth FileExchange application.
Find and click the file that you want to send, then click it Send.
Click on the paired Android device you want to send to, then click Send Again.
Tap Accept on your Android device to accept incoming transfers.

The files you receive on your Android will be available in the relevant default files app or other related folders. For example, image files sent from a Mac will appear in the Photos app on your Android device.

How to Share Files From Android to Mac

bluetooth

The first file transfer option we’ll look at is Bluetooth. After pairing Android and Mac devices, you can use Bluetooth to transfer files between them. Use the “Set Up Pairing” steps in the section above, then follow the steps below to transfer files from your Android device to your Mac:

Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your Android and Mac devices.
On your Android device, find and tap the file you want to send to your Mac.
Choose share icon.
Tap bluetooth as the transfer method, then select your Mac.
When prompted on your Mac, accept the transfer.

Files received on your Mac will go to the location you stated in System Preferences or in the default “Downloads” folder. To send files from Mac to Android using this method, see the How to Share Files from Mac to Android Phone section above.

File Transfer Protocol

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard communication protocol used to download, upload and transfer files from one location to another. It can be used to transfer between computer systems or over the internet.

First, to share files between Android and macOS, you need an FTP client on your Mac. FileZilla is the best and most popular used. There are lots of alternatives, but we’ll be using FileZilla to demonstrate them. On Android devices, you need to download and install a file explorer such as Solid File Explorer to create an FTP server.

Once FileZilla and Solid File Explorer or similar apps are installed, here are the steps to transfer your files from Android to Mac:

On your Android, open it Solid File Explorerpress hamburger iconthen select FTP servers.
Tap the icon three dot menu in the top right corner. Then decide whether to enable or disable anonymous access. It’s up to you which option you choose; however, disabling anonymous access ensures that no one else can connect to your Android.
Now press Set Userthen create a username and password to access your files.
Next, tap Start to start the FTP server.
On your Mac, open it FileZilla.Enter the IP address shown on your Android device in the Solid File Explorer app and the username and password you created in the hostname field.In the hostname field. port, enter the port number. The port number is after the IP address in the SFE application. Now click the button Quickconnect. You can choose to save the password if you wish. You will now see your Android files in the FileZilla Remote Site area. Drag the files you want to share to Mac (Local Site) or vice versa.

Open MTP – Plug-and-Play Solution

For a slightly easier method of transferring Android files to Mac or vice versa, consider using the OpenMTP plug-and-play solution. OpenMTP is another example of an Android file transfer application. It’s open-source and completely free to use, which means you have the option to view the source code if interested.

To get started, you just need to download and install OpenMTP on your Mac, then follow these steps:

Open the app and connect your Android phone to your Mac using a USB cable.
The app will display your Mac’s files on the left pane, and on the right, your connected Android device. You can simply drag and drop files between your Mac and Android to transfer them.

AirDroid

AirDroid is another example of file transfer with a few extra features you might find interesting. With AirDroid, you can control your Android device using your Mac, receive notifications and much more. After AirDroid installed on your phone, follow these steps to transfer files between your Android and Mac devices:

On your phone, go to AirDroid.
Tap AirDroid WebThen Scan QR Code.
Next, on your Mac, launch it AirDroid web app .The QR code will be displayed on the website. Scan with your smartphone, then press Enter when prompted on your phone. Your Android device is now connected to your Mac so you can share files between the two devices. And when your smartphone and Mac are on the same Wi-Fi network, your data won’t be sent over the internet, which is a great security plus.

FAQs

Can I AirDrop from Mac to Android?

Unfortunately, you can’t use AirDrop to transfer files from an Apple device to an Android or vice versa.

File Transfer Mac to Android Done

macOS and Android are the two best operating systems. In terms of sharing files on the same OS, files are transferred easily. However, sharing files between these two operating systems is not that easy. Fortunately, Apple and Android developers have thought of those who enjoy using devices in different OS worlds and may want to share files between them. Several methods are available to transfer your files from Mac to Android and vice versa. Methods include Bluetooth, FTP, and third party apps.

Which operating system do you prefer, macOS or Android? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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