Android File Transfer not working on Mac: what to do

Updated October 24, 2026

Google's Android File Transfer was for years the standard way to copy files from an Android phone to a Mac. Today it is hard to get and often fails with “No Android device found” or “Can't access device storage”. Here is how to fix it, and what to use instead.

Is Android File Transfer still available?

Google's own Android page for file transfer (android.com/filetransfer) now shows only Quick Share for Windows. There is no Mac download link there. Some Google help pages, such as the Pixel Tablet page, still tell Mac users to install Android File Transfer, so you may find old copies on other sites.

Download it only from a source you trust, and expect an app that has not been updated for current macOS.

Fix “No Android device found”

Unlock the phone and keep the screen on.
Pull down the notification shade, tap the USB notification and choose “File transfer” (sometimes “Transfer files” or “MTP”). The default is often “Charging only”.
Try another cable. Many USB cables carry only power, not data. Google recommends this step too.
Plug the cable straight into the Mac, not into a hub or monitor.
Quit other apps that can hold the phone: Samsung Smart Switch, Kies, other phone managers, Image Capture, Preview, Google Drive or Dropbox.
Restart the phone and the Mac, then try again.

Fix “Can't access device storage”

This usually means the phone is locked, or the phone did not allow access. Unlock it, look for an “Allow access to phone data?” prompt and tap Allow. Then choose “File transfer” again in the USB notification.

Use a maintained alternative

If Android File Transfer still fails, use an app that is built for current macOS. PhoneFerry is a native Mac App Store app that shows your photos as thumbnails, opens every folder, and copies files both ways over USB or Wi-Fi. It never deletes anything on the phone unless you ask.

Other options are MacDroid and the free, open-source OpenMTP. See our comparison for the differences.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Android File Transfer say “No Android device found”?

Most often the phone is in “Charging only” mode, the screen is locked, or the cable carries power only. Choose “File transfer” in the phone's USB notification, unlock the phone and try another cable.

Does Android File Transfer work on Apple silicon Macs?

We could not confirm an official statement. Many users report it runs, but it is no longer offered on Google's Android file transfer page, so a maintained app is the safer choice.

Is there a free alternative?

Yes. PhoneFerry is a free download with a 1 GB transfer allowance, and OpenMTP is free and open source.