I tried to download Android File Transfer for my Mac, but the download link seems to be missing or not working. I need this app to move files between my Android phone and my MacBook, but can’t figure out if it’s been discontinued or if there’s another issue. Has anyone else run into this or found a solution? Any alternatives you’d recommend?
Anyone else feel personally attacked by the disappearance of Android File Transfer for Mac?
Tried Everything? Same.
Here’s my play-by-play:
Fresh download? Nope, nowhere to be found. Old installer? Crashes like an ancient Windows laptop. It seems Google officially ghosted us Mac + Android hybrid users. So now, the question is—what’s the move?
Here’s What Actually Works
If you’ve been scouring forums and feeling the existential dread of not being able to drag your camera roll onto your Mac, chill for a sec. There’s a new player in town: MacDroid.
Now, I was skeptical at first. I mean, most “file transfer” apps are either vaporware or make you pay five bucks just to see your own pictures. But MacDroid legitimately surprised me. It does everything Android File Transfer did—plus some actual useful stuff (imagine that!). You can move files one at a time if you want, but bulk transfers work too. Had a folder of 600 dog videos? Sailed right across.
Want the real MVP moment? It mounts your Android phone like it’s an old-school external drive. Suddenly, your Mac’s Finder is like, “Oh hey, new drive!” and you can just drag stuff wherever you want, no sketchy workarounds. I used it last night to organize my music folder, and it felt way more “Mac-like” than anything I’ve used for Android before.
Why Should Anyone Trust a Random Alternative?
Short version:
- No weird command lines
- Plays nice with new macOS releases (Monterey, Sonoma, tested and working)
- You get the usual copy/paste action, or drag and drop if you’re feeling fancy
Long story short, if you’re caught in Mac + Android land (bless your brave soul), MacDroid keeps your stuff moving. It’s no-nonsense, gets the job done, and feels like it should’ve existed years ago.
Anyone else found a good workaround, or is everyone just using cloud services these days? (Personally, I’d rather drag files than wait for Google Drive to sync.)
3 Likes
Yeah, Android File Transfer for Mac seems to have just vanished off the face of the internet lately. Feels like Google just does this sometimes—one day you’re chugging along, sushi-rolling files from your Pixel to your Mac, next day you’re left high and dry scrounging dead links and ancient blog posts promising “latest download here” that go nowhere. Love that for us, right?
I saw @mikeappsreviewer’s suggestion for MacDroid. I’ll give ‘em credit—mounting your Android as a drive does feel pretty slick, and not gonna lie, I was about one more “No Android device found” away from yeeting my cable into the abyss. BUT, I’m kinda wary about paid apps for something that should just work, ya know? MacDroid gets the praise, but yo, let’s not pretend everyone wants another subscription or paid app running quietly in the background. (Not saying it’s not worth it for some peeps though, especially with the Finder integration.)
Alternative camp here: I honestly just caved and started using cloud services for the small stuff—Google Drive, Dropbox, or even just sending files via Telegram to myself (old school, I know). It’s not as satisfying as drag-and-drop, but at least it doesn’t rely on some third-party bridge or random app updates breaking everything with each macOS refresh. Yeah, you don’t get lightning speed, and it’s clunky if you’re moving giant folders, but sometimes less frustration is worth more than a perfect workflow.
Oh, and before someone jumps in with “just use Bluetooth!”—tried it, ages ago. It’s like watching paint dry. If you want to move photos from a birthday party, you’ll celebrate the next one before those files finish.
So, yeah, pretty safe to say Android File Transfer for Mac is donezo unless something wild changes. You want native-feeling file transfer with bulk moves and minimal hassle? MacDroid seems to be leading the charge (as much as it pains me to admit an app like that is now “essential software”). Otherwise, buckle up for cloud detours—or channel your inner command-line wizard with ADB if you enjoy living dangerously.
Anyone secretly hoping for Apple and Google to shake hands and just let Finder see Android someday, or is that just me and my fever dreams?
Honestly, yeah, Android File Transfer for Mac has basically joined the ranks of vaporware. The download links started vanishing early this year and even the more persistent “mirror” sites mostly deliver broken zips or files flagged by Mac’s Gatekeeper—so unless you want to roll the dice on malware, it’s time to move on. Totally agree with @mikeappsreviewer and @nachtdromer—between Google pulling the plug and the app never really working right anyway, no love lost.
But here’s the thing: everyone’s hyping MacDroid, and sure, it does what Android File Transfer did (and then some), but the subscription thing is real and I get not wanting to drop cash for basic functionality. Still, if you’re not big on cloud sync or wrestling with ADB in Terminal (which, let’s be honest, is a pain in the *ss for normal file shuffling), MacDroid is probably your best bet now. Just wish Google would stop acting like Mac users don’t exist unless we’re using an iPhone—like, how hard is a Finder plugin???
If you absolutely refuse to pay, cloud is really all that’s left—slow, sometimes annoying, but gets files over in a pinch. Haven’t found anything new that’s actually free, reliable, and not sketchy as hell. Wouldn’t be shocked if someone drops a little open-source freebie soon though, now that the need just got real.
If you still have an older Android File Transfer installer and it magically works for you, cherish it. For everyone else, this is just another lesson in how quickly software we all rely on can get memory-holed. It’s a mess, and Google’s radio silence makes it even worse. So, MacDroid or messy cloud—it’s your call, but Android File Transfer as we knew it is pretty much gone.