Is Android File Transfer still available for Mac?

Google discontinued the official Android File Transfer app for macOS, and it never worked reliably on newer Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) Macs anyway. The simplest replacement is a browser tool like openshare, which moves files between your Android phone and Mac with no app and no USB cable.

How do I transfer files from Android to Mac without an app?

Open openshare on both your Mac and your Android phone in any browser, scan the QR code to pair them, and drag your photos or files across. Nothing is installed and nothing is uploaded to a server.

Why is Android File Transfer not working on my Mac?

The old app is unmaintained and frequently fails on modern macOS — especially Apple Silicon Macs — with 'could not connect to device' errors. Rather than fight the USB connection, a wireless browser transfer avoids the cable and the driver entirely.

Does this work on Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) Macs?

Yes. openshare runs in the browser, so it doesn't depend on the macOS version or chip — it works the same on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Is it safe to transfer files this way?

Files stream directly between your phone and Mac over an encrypted WebRTC connection. Nothing is uploaded to or stored on a server, and the connection is gone when you close the tab.

Android File Transfer for Mac with no app or cable

Moving files from an Android phone to a Mac used to mean Google's Android File Transfer app — and it was never great. It's now been discontinued, the download is gone, and even when it worked it was notorious for "could not connect to device" errors, especially on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) Macs.

You don't need it. You can move photos and files between an Android phone and a Mac right in your browser — no app to install, no USB cable, and no driver to wrestle with.

Transfer Android files to a Mac with no app

On your Mac, start a session — you'll get a short code and a QR code.
On your Android phone, scan the QR code (or type the code at the same site).
Drag the photos or files in on either device. They transfer directly to the other one.

It works both ways — Android-to-Mac and Mac-to-Android — and the same page works on Windows, iPhone, and iPad too.

Why skip the cable and the app

The old USB approach has a catch on every side:

Android File Transfer (Google's app) is discontinued, unmaintained, and flaky on modern macOS — Apple Silicon Macs especially.
Paid apps like MacDroid work, but they're another install and a subscription for something you do occasionally.
A USB cable means finding the right cable, a data-capable port, and hoping the Mac actually mounts the phone.

openshare needs none of that: it runs entirely in the browser, connects your phone and Mac wirelessly, and can even pair them across different networks — so your phone doesn't have to be on the same Wi-Fi as your Mac.

What this is good for (and what it isn't)

Be clear about the use case. openshare sends the files you pick — drag in the photos, the video, the PDF, and they land on the other device. That covers what most people actually want: get these pictures or this document off my phone and onto my Mac.

What it doesn't do is mount your phone as a drive to browse its entire filesystem the way the old USB tool did. If you need to dig through every folder on the device over a cable, a dedicated app like MacDroid is still the tool for that. For everything else, the browser route is faster and cable-free.

Apple Silicon and "not working" fixes

Most of the "Android File Transfer not working on Mac" frustration comes down to USB: the wrong cable, a charge-only port, or no Apple Silicon support. Going wireless sidesteps all of it — there's no cable and no chip-specific driver, so an M1, M2, or M3 Mac behaves exactly like an Intel one.

Want to try it? Start a session on your Mac and scan the code with your Android phone. You might also like our guide on transferring files between your phone and computer.

Frequently asked questions

Is Android File Transfer still available for Mac?: Google discontinued the official Android File Transfer app for macOS, and it never worked reliably on newer Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) Macs anyway. The simplest replacement is a browser tool like openshare, which moves files between your Android phone and Mac with no app and no USB cable.
How do I transfer files from Android to Mac without an app?: Open openshare on both your Mac and your Android phone in any browser, scan the QR code to pair them, and drag your photos or files across. Nothing is installed and nothing is uploaded to a server.
Why is Android File Transfer not working on my Mac?: The old app is unmaintained and frequently fails on modern macOS — especially Apple Silicon Macs — with 'could not connect to device' errors. Rather than fight the USB connection, a wireless browser transfer avoids the cable and the driver entirely.
Does this work on Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) Macs?: Yes. openshare runs in the browser, so it doesn't depend on the macOS version or chip — it works the same on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
Is it safe to transfer files this way?: Files stream directly between your phone and Mac over an encrypted WebRTC connection. Nothing is uploaded to or stored on a server, and the connection is gone when you close the tab.