Send files from Android to Mac in 4 steps
- Open localfiletransfer.com on your Mac. Safari, Chrome or Firefox all work.
- Open the same address on your Android phone in Chrome. On the same Wi-Fi, your Mac appears on the phone’s radar within a few seconds.
- Tap your Mac and pick the files. Choose photos, videos or documents from your gallery or Files. You can select several at once.
- Click Accept on the Mac, then Save. Safari and Chrome put saved files in your Downloads folder.
Big videos: for very large files, Chrome on the Mac asks where to save and writes the file straight to disk, so it never has to fit in memory. Keep both screens on until the transfer finishes.
What happened to Android File Transfer for Mac?
For years, Google’s Android File Transfer app was the standard way to copy files from an Android phone to a Mac over USB. In February 2024 Google quietly removed it from Android.com. It can still be found through a direct link, but it needs a USB cable and many people report it failing to detect their phone. A browser transfer over Wi-Fi avoids both problems.
Other ways to move files from Android to Mac
| Method | Cable | Install | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local File Transfer (this page) | No | Nothing | Any Android phone, any Mac browser, both directions |
| Android File Transfer | Yes | Mac app | Hidden from Android.com since 2024 |
| Quick Share to AirDrop | No | Nothing | Launched in November 2025 for Pixel 10 phones only; the Mac must set AirDrop to “Everyone for 10 minutes” |
| Google Drive or Photos | No | Nothing | Uploads to the cloud first, then downloads; uses your storage |
If your Mac doesn’t appear
- Check the Wi-Fi. Both devices must be on the same network. Guest networks often keep devices apart.
- Turn off VPNs on both devices while you transfer.
- Use a room code. Click Nearby devices → New private room on the Mac and scan the QR code with your phone. This works even when the phone is on mobile data.
Questions
Do I still need Android File Transfer on my Mac?
No. With localfiletransfer.com both devices only need a browser, and files move over Wi-Fi instead of a USB cable.
Does it work with Samsung, Pixel and other Android phones?
Yes. Any Android phone with an up-to-date Chrome works, whatever the brand.
Can I send a large video from Android to Mac?
Yes. We set no size limit. For very large files, Chrome on the Mac asks where to save and writes the file straight to disk. Keep both screens on until it finishes.
Can I send files from Mac to Android too?
Yes. It works both ways: click your phone on the Mac and pick files, then accept them on the phone.