App To Access Android Phone From Mac

In the absence of an actual remote control, you can use an Android device with the Mac.remote app to control many multimedia applications on your Mac. You can even put your Mac to sleep, shut it.

If you prefer the flavor of Android when you're mobile but like a Mac when it comes to laptops and desktops, then you'll want the two to work well together. The extent of using your Android phone with your Mac is pretty much file transfer.

You can download an app, which lets your Android talk to your Mac, or you can use some other options.

Here's how to use Android with Mac!

How to use Android File Transfer to transfer media from Android to Mac (and vice versa)

The beauty of Android is that transferring media (files, music, videos, etc.) is simple file storage; there's no painful syncing process like there is with iPhone.

Most hardcore Android users won't love this option, but I've had great luck with Android File Transfer.

Download Android File Transfer.
Unlock your Android device.
Connect your Android device to your Mac via USB. This should launch Android File Transfer automatically. If not, just launch it manually.
Tap Allow on your Android device when prompted.
- You may also be asked to choose the connection type. Choose to transfer media files or whatever variation of that phrase your Android device says.
Open a Finder window on your Mac.
Drag and drop files from Finder to Android File Transfer. You can create folders in Android File Transfer that'll show up on your Android device.

If you have an SD card in your Android device, you can choose to drop files onto the SD card right in Android File Transfer. You can transfer files from your Android device to your Mac the exact same way — just drag from Android File Transfer to a Finder window or your desktop.

The thing about AFT is that it's quite hit and miss. Sometimes it simply won't recognize your Android. Always make sure you unlock your device before connecting to your Mac.

So continues the awkward dance between Android and Apple products. If your phone isn't recognized, just disconnect it from your Mac and connect it again.

Use Google Drive

Here's where an Android version of AirDrop would come in handy, but we unfortunately don't have that option. Your next best option for file transfer is to save stuff to Google Drive.

Your Google Drive goes with you wherever you have an internet connection, and you can download the files store there onto whichever device you're using. The best part is that you get 15GB of free storage and unlimited photo storage, so there's no need to use up space on your Mac hard drive or your Android device.

Here's how to save to Google Drive on your Mac:

Launch a web browser. (You can also download the Google Drive app).
Log in on Google.com.
Click the apps button on the upper right of the window.
Click Drive.
Click New on the upper left of your screen.
Click File upload. You can also choose to upload an entire folder.
Click Open or hit enter on your keyboard. Your file or folder will upload to Google Drive. It may take a few minutes, depending on how big your upload is.

Alternatively, you can just drag files or folders from a Finder window into the Google Drive window on your browser. In fact, Google Drive just becomes another folder on your Mac, so any time you want to make something available on your Android device, just drag it into the Google Drive folder. Simple as that.

Use another cloud-based service

How To Access Android Phone From Computer

In the end, connecting your Android device to your Mac via USB doesn't really get the job done. There are manufacturer tools, like Samsung Smart Switch and LG Bridge, but if you don't have a device from either of those manufacturers, then what do you do?

A cloud-based storage service is the easiest way to access files between your Android and your Mac. You can download the apps on your Android device and visit the corresponding websites on your Mac.

We recommend Dropbox, since it's easy to use and you get up to 2GB of cloud storage for free. Like Google Drive, Dropbox acts like just another folder on your Mac, so you can just drag files and folders over as you please and then access them via the Android Dropbox app.

Use an SD card

Many Android devices come equipped with microSD card slot, which allows you to expand their storage. If you have a regular SD adapter, you can just pop that into your Mac and transfer files to and from the card like you would normally when transferring photos from a camera.

Some Android devices have an 'adoptable storage' option, which lets you integrate the SD card as part of the phone's system memory. If you've opted for this, then you can't just remove your SD card at will, so be careful.

Can I do anything else with my Android and my Mac?

Not really, no. Since they're not a part of the same ecosystem, there isn't much else a Mac and Android can do together. That being said, if you don't mind the slight hurdle when it comes to file transfer, then there's no reason you shouldn't have an Android phone or tablet and a Mac together.

Questions?

Sound off in the comments below.

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Part 2 Transferring Files

Connect your Android to your Mac via USB.
Unlock your Android’s screen.
Swipe down to open the Android Notification Panel.
Tap the USB option in the Notification Panel.
Tap “File transfer” or “MTP.”
Click the Go menu and select “Applications.”
Double-click “Android File Transfer.”

How do I transfer files from Android to Mac?

Here’s how to move files from an Android phone to a Mac:

Connect your phone to your Mac with the included USB cable.
Download and install Android File Transfer.
Navigate through the directory to find the files you want on your Mac.
Find the exact file and drag it to the desktop or your preferred folder.
Open your file.

How do I get my Mac to recognize my Android phone?

Android Devices to Mac (Image Capture App)

Connect USB Cable to your Mac.
Plug USB Cable into your Android device.
Drag down the Notification Bar on your Android device.
Click the “Connected as Mobile Device” option.
When the “USB Computer Connection” screen appears, click the “Camera (PTP)” option.

How do I connect my s8 to my Mac?

Samsung Galaxy S8

Swipe down from the top of the screen.
Tap USB Charging.
Tap Transfer Media Files.
On your Mac, open Android File Transfer.
Open the DCIM folder.
Open the Camera folder.
Select the photos and videos you wish to transfer.
Drag the files into the desired folder on your Mac.

How do I mount my Android to my Mac?

How to Mount an Android as a USB Disk Drive

Attach the Android device to the computer through USB – the device may ask to “Choose a connection type”, and if so choose “Disk Drive”, otherwise continue.
Open Settings, then choose “Connect to PC”
Select “Default connection type” and choose “Disk drive”, then choose “Done”

Can I connect my Android phone to my Mac?

Connect the Android to the Mac. Plug your smartphone (which needs to be switched on and unlocked) into the Mac using a USB cable. (If you haven’t got the right cable – particularly likely if you’ve got one of the newer, USB-C-only, MacBooks – then connecting wirelessly may be possible.

How do I transfer files from Samsung to Mac?

How to use it

Download the app.
Open AndroidFileTransfer.dmg.
Drag Android File Transfer to Applications.
Use the USB cable that came with your Android device and connect it to your Mac.
Double click Android File Transfer.
Browse the files and folders on your Android device and copy files.

How do I connect my Samsung phone to my Mac?

Part 2 Transferring Files

Connect your Android to your Mac via USB.
Unlock your Android’s screen.
Swipe down to open the Android Notification Panel.
Tap the USB option in the Notification Panel.
Tap “File transfer” or “MTP.”
Click the Go menu and select “Applications.”
Double-click “Android File Transfer.”

How do I transfer files from s9 to Mac?

Samsung Galaxy S9

Tap Allow.
On your Mac, open Android File Transfer.
Open the DCIM folder.
Open the Camera folder.
Select the photos and videos you wish to transfer.
Drag the files into the desired folder on your Mac.
Detach the USB cable from your phone.

How do I transfer files from Android to macbook via Bluetooth?

Transfer Android Files to Mac via Bluetooth

Next, on your Android device, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
Tap on Pair on your Android device too.
After you pair your phone or tablet to your Mac, click on the Bluetooth icon on your Mac’s menu bar.
If you want to send files to your Mac, you’ll enable Bluetooth Sharing.

Why isn’t my Mac recognizing my phone?

When iTunes on your computer doesn’t recognize your connected device, you might see an unknown error or a “0xE” error. Unplug all USB accessories from your computer except for your device. Try each USB port to see if one works. Then try a different Apple USB cable.*

How do I connect my Samsung s9 to my MacBook?

Galaxy S9: Connect to Computer

Windows users should download and install the USB drivers from the Samsung Website.
Connect the device to your computer using the included USB cable.
Unlock the S9.
Swipe down the notification area by swiping downward from the top of the screen with 2 fingers.
Ensure the “File transfer” option is selected.

How do I connect my phone to my MacBook pro?

Connect your Mac with a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, trackpad, headset, or other audio device.

Make sure the device is turned on and discoverable (see the device’s manual for details).
On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth.
Select the device in the list, then click Connect.

How do I connect my phone to my Mac messages?

How to set up Messages on the Mac

Launch Messages from your desktop, dock, or Applications folder.
Enter your Apple ID email address and password.
Click on Messages in the Menu bar and select Preferences.
Select the Accounts tab.
Select the phone number and email addresses at which you would like to be reached.

How do I enable file transfer on Android?

Move files by USB

Download and install Android File Transfer on your computer.
Open Android File Transfer.
Unlock your Android device.
With a USB cable, connect your device to your computer.
On your device, tap the “Charging this device via USB” notification.
Under “Use USB for,” select File Transfer.

How do I transfer photos from Android to Mac 2018?

Connect the Android device to the Mac with a USB cable. Launch Android File Transfer and wait for it to recognize the device. Photos are stored in one of two locations, the “DCIM” folder and/or the “Pictures” folder, look in both. Use drag & drop to pull the photos from Android to the Mac.

How do I tether my Android to my Mac?

How to Use HoRNDIS on Your Mac for USB Tethering

Connect your Android phone to your Mac via USB cable.
Go the settings menu on your phone.
In the connections section, select “More…”.
Select “Tethering & Portable Hotspot”.
Check the “USB tethering” box.

Can we connect Android phone to macbook?

Android File Transfer. The app works on Mac computers with Mac OS X 10.5 or later and connects to your Android phone using your charger’s USB cable. Once you’re all set, your phone will appear as a drive on your computer.

How do I connect my phone messages to my Mac?

On each iOS device (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, iPad Mini):

Open Settings.app.
Go to “Messages” and make sure iMessage is On.
If iMessage is on, “Send & Receive” will appear below it.
Make note of the Apple ID at the top of the page.
Select your phone number and email address(es) that you want to sync to that device.

How can I transfer photos from Samsung to Mac?

How to Transfer Photos from Mac Computer to Samsung Device

Useful Photo Apps That You Can’t Miss:
Connect your Samsung smart phone to the computer via a USB cable and launch the software.
After that, you can refresh the program and it will start recognizing and scanning your Samsung device and you’ll see a window below.
Click the “Photos” category on the left column.

How do I backup my Samsung Galaxy to my Mac?

Solution 1: Backup Samsung Galaxy S7 on Mac via Smart Switch

Step 1 Connect USB cable to your Galaxy S6 or S7, then to your computer.
Step 2 Launch the Samsung Smart Switch on your computer.
Step 3 Tap “MORE” > “Preference”, you can change the backup folder location and select file types to backup.

How do I use Smart Switch on Mac?

How to Use Samsung Smart Switch with Mac Computer

Run Smart Switch. Launch the Samsung Smart Switch.
Connect Old Device. Connect your old phone to your Mac via USB cable.
Choose Backup. Backup your apps, settings, and files.
Connect New Galaxy.
Press Restore.
Choose Restore Now.

How do I receive Bluetooth files on my Mac?

Mac OS: unable to receive files via Bluetooth

To solve the problem you must activate the Bluetooth Sharing service, do the following:
Click the Apple menu> System Preferences> Sharing.
In the window that opens enable Bluetooth Sharing service in the left column.
Now you can receive files via Bluetooth.

How do I pair a Bluetooth device with my Mac?

Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu, then click Bluetooth. If the Bluetooth preferences lists options for enabling Bluetooth and making your device discoverable, Bluetooth is installed. From the Apple menu, choose About this Mac, then click More Info. Select Bluetooth from the Hardware section.

How do I send files via Bluetooth on my Mac?

How to Send Files to Another Mac Laptop Using a Bluetooth

Connect Android Phone To Mac

Open the “Apple” menu from one of the Mac laptops.
Select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
Click the “Sharing” icon.
Select “Bluetooth Sharing” from the left section.
Select the “Accept and Save” option to accept and save all incoming files sent to the Mac.