How to reliably transfer files from Android phone?

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Level 1

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How to reliably transfer files from Android phone?

For ten years I have used Bluetooth File Exchange to transfer photos from my Android phones to my Macs. This worked flawlessly on my current MBP, and old Macbook and Mac Mini, but since getting this Intel Mac Mini with Ventura, the photos show up in the Mac Mini corrupted more times that not.

Android File transfer doesn't work on this computer/OS, i tried a program called Open MTP but it has an awful interface and crashes so much I can't really accomplish anything. I found some app that allowed me to access the files on my phone over wifi, but after transferring a bunch of files I realized the were all only like 320 pixels unless you pay them.

Its not an issue with the Android device, as I've had multiple Android devices now that connect flawlessly with the older MBP but not my Mini on Ventura.

So how can I transfer photos from an Android device to my Mac Mini?

Right now my only options are to transfer the photos via Bluetooth over and over again until eventually it comes through uncorrupted, or I can transfer via Bluetooth to my MBP, then transfer over wifi file sharing to the Mac Mini. I'm really hoping for something less janky and time-consuming.

Thanks.

Mac mini, macOS 13.6

Posted on Jan 28, 2024 10:52 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

SpencerD206

Level 1

12 points

Jun 18, 2024 7:11 PM in response to VincentBrick

I use Android File Transfer with an M1 Mac and have scripts that pull the files to my Mac quickly and easily. This will sound like it can’t possibly work, but it does. The strange secret solution is that to use a USB-A to USB-C cable. I’m pulling from supernote (Android-based) and I put a USB-C adapter on the USB-A end so it is effectively USB-C on both ends but going through the adapter. This has worked consistently. I tried a quality native USB-C cord again after it was working and my Mac wouldn’t recognize the android device. Go back to my adapter-ized cable and it works again. This makes no logical sense to me, but it works.

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Answer 2

Jun 19, 2024 3:56 AM in response to VincentBrick

Android File Transfer is horribly unreliable if your AndroidOS is not up to date. I personally use an ftp server on my Android phone called FTP Server Wi-Fi and I use Owlfiles on my mac. I connect the two and with my very poor wi-fi connection I can reach 8 MB/s. Trust me, it is faster than a usb stick

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Answer 3

Jun 19, 2024 2:30 AM in response to VincentBrick

This might be late, but you can always use network share whenever on a wifi( aka by hosting a web dav server) this might sound time consuming but many apps do this for you readily. try Mixplorer's https web dev feature or Xplore file manager. explorer has a better managed ui and mixplorer has a slight speed advantage. try them out really handy if you use wifi at home.

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Answer 4

Jan 28, 2024 7:32 PM in response to VincentBrick

Hi, here are free and paid ways you can try.

#1. Send Android Photos to Mac via email

Send yourself an email and receive it on Mac. Add your Android photos as attachments. Your photos need to be in JPEG, PNG, and GIF. Also the maximum file size limit of this email attachment should be no more than 25MB.

#2. Use USB Connection

Connect Android to Mac with a USB cable > Open Image Capture on Mac > Choose your Android's name on the sidebar > Browse and select which Android images you want to transfer to Mac > Click Download (or Download All) to complete it.

By the way, you can install Android File Transfer on Mac to import photos from Android to Mac.

#3. Use Third-party Android File Transfer

By using those Android to Mac transfer software, you can transfer, manage, and edit Android photos easier than before. No file size limit. No Internet restrictions. Support all image formats. Those programs offer free trials. However, you need to upgrade to its full version to access all features. Here you can choose from Anydroid, SyncMate, AnyRec PhoneMover, OpenMTP, etc.

#4. Use Cloud Services

You can use iCloud, OneDrive, Google Drive to transfer photos from Android to Mac in GBs. It is suggested to check the Wi-Fi speed and maximum file size.

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Answer 5

VincentBrick Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 28, 2024 9:02 PM in response to alexhamber

Not trying to mess with email or cloud services, its easier just to transfer to my MBP, then again to the Mini over shared wifi, but I don't wish to add new extra steps.

USB connection isn't a viable option anymore:

Android File Transfer works fine on my MBP (High Sierra) and 2009 Mini (El Capitan) but for some reason on the 2018 Mini (Ventura) it won't recognize the phone.

I've tried using another Mac app called OpenMTP, but setting aside the poor interface (can't see image thumbnails), its extremely unreliable, losing connection with the phone over and over again.

I'm not looking to spend money on a third party app as a band-aid for a Mac with a problem.

How do I just get my Mac Mini to work how its supposed to? How every other computer I have owned or used over the last decade, Mac or PC, has operated?

Why are my images arriving corrupt? Is the issue hardware or software? How do I actually troubleshoot this?

Or can anyone recommend a means for direct network file sharing between Android and MacOS? Is that a thing?

Thanks

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How to reliably transfer files from Android phone?

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