4 Ways to Transfer Files Between Mac and Android Wirelessly

If you own a Mac and an Android, you must be looking for a way to transfer files from Android to Mac and vice versa because searching for a data cable every time you want to share something can be cumbersome. So, here are the four easiest yet most reliable methods to transfer files between your Mac and Android devices.

The Android File Transfer app is prone to errors at the slightest jerk when transferring files with the USB cable. Hence, starting the whole process repeatedly and relying on one traditional method can be frustrating. Let’s look at some of the simplest methods to do so.

2. Use Snapdrop to Share Files Without Cable or App

You can also use Snapdrop to transfer files from Android to Mac or vice versa. The best part about using Snapdrop is that you don’t need an app installed on your Mac or Android phone. Here are the simple steps to take:

Note: For Snapdrop to work seamlessly, you must connect your Mac and Android to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 1: Open Snapdrop on your Mac and Android smartphone using any browser.

Snapdrop

Step 2: To initiate a transfer from your Mac, click on the Android phone in the Snapdrop available devices.

Tip: Once the connection is established, initiate a transfer from your Android by tapping on the Mac from the available devices in the Snapdrop tab.

Step 4: Select a file and click Open.

And now, let’s move on to Android to complete the file transfer.

Step 3: A pop-up will appear in the Snapdrop tab on your Android smartphone. Tap SAVE.

Step 4: Tap Open to open and view the downloaded file.

3. SMB File Sharing on Mac

On your Mac, you can also create an SMB server and access it from your Android phone to share files between Android and Mac wirelessly or without a cable. Let’s look at the steps:

Note: The default file manager of Android doesn’t allow you to access SMB servers. Hence, you need to use a third-party app.

On Mac

Step 1: Open System Settings on your Mac and go to General > Sharing.

Step 2: Click the i button next to File Sharing.

Step 3: Click Options.

Step 4: Enable ‘Share files and folders using SMB’ and your Mac user account. And then click Done.

Step 5: Again click Done; the SMB server has been created.

Now, let’s move to your Android phone to set up the SMB server.

On Android

Step 6: Download and install the EX File Explorer on your Android smartphone.

Download EX File Manager

Step 7: Open EX File Explorer and tap on the hamburger menu.

Step 8: Tap Network.

Step 9: Tap LAN from the available options.

Step 10: Tap the ‘+’ button to add a server.

Step 10: Tap New.

Step 11: Fill in the server details from your Mac and enter your Mac username and password in the respective section, then tap OK.

Step 12: The server will now open on your Android; tap on it to open and explore it further.

Step 13: Navigate to the folder of your Mac from where you want to transfer files between your Android and Mac.

Quick Tip: Once the connection is established, you can transfer files between your Mac and Android using the EX File Manager.

Step 14: Long-press on the file to select it.

Step 15: Tap Copy to copy the file. Now, you can navigate to the desired directory of your Android phone and paste the file there.

4. Use a Cloud Service

Another way to transfer files between Mac and Android is using a cloud storage service such as Google Drive, One Drive, DropBox, etc. The process is straightforward, and we’re using Google Drive here to illustrate the process. Here are the simple steps to do so:

From Android to Mac

Step 1: Download and install Google Drive on your Android device.

Download Google Drive on Android

Step 2: Open Google Drive and sign in if not already. Next, tap the + (add) button.

Step 3: Tap Upload to start.

Step 4: File manager will open. Tap and hold to select the files, and tap SELECT.

The file will be uploaded; let’s move to Mac to complete the transfer.

Step 5: Open Google Drive on your Mac in any browser and sign into the same account as on your Android device.

Google Drive - Web

Step 6: Double-click on the file you uploaded from your Android phone to open it.

Step 7: Click the download icon to download the file to your Mac. And that’s it.

From Mac to Android

Step 1: Sign in with the same Google account on the browser on your Mac and your Android phone.

Step 2: Open Google Drive in any browser on your Mac and click the + New button.

Step 3: Click on File upload from the drop-down menu.

Step 4: Finder will open; select a file and click Open.

The file will be uploaded; let’s move on to your Android phone.

Step 5: Open the Google Drive app on your Android phone and tap on the three dots next to the file you uploaded from your Mac.

Step 6: Tap Download to save the file locally on your Android smartphone.

Transfer Files Seamlessly

With the help of these methods, you can seamlessly transfer files between your Mac and Android without interruption. In short, if you want to send files from Android to Mac quickly, NearDrop on Mac is the best option. And if you want to share files quickly from your Mac to an Android, you can choose Snapdrop.