New in PhoneDesk 1.5
Android File Transfer for Mac: browse your phone with PhoneDesk
Google no longer offers Android File Transfer for Mac. PhoneDesk 1.5 adds Browse Files: your phone's files in a window on your Mac, with thumbnails, drag and drop both ways, and video that plays straight from the phone, over USB or Wi-Fi. It's part of PhoneDesk, alongside Samsung DeX and Pixel desktop mode in a window, mirroring, and your phone as a second monitor.
$25 once · 14-day refund · free update for existing owners
What Browse Files does
- Browse your phone’s internal storage in a list or a grid, with thumbnails for photos and videos
- Press space for Quick Look, and play videos straight from the phone without copying them first
- Drag files and folders from the phone to Finder, or from Finder onto the phone
- Copy a selection to your Mac’s Downloads folder in one click
- Make a new folder or delete files on the phone
- Works over the USB cable or over Wi-Fi, through the same connection PhoneDesk already uses
It shows your phone's internal storage the way Finder would, so hidden files aren't listed and Android/data isn't shown. Transfers to one phone run one at a time.
How to transfer files from Android to your Mac
- On the phone, turn on Developer options (tap Build number seven times in Settings › About phone), then turn on USB debugging.
- Plug the phone into your Mac with a cable that carries data, and tap Allow on the USB debugging prompt.
- In PhoneDesk's menu bar menu, choose Browse Files… under your phone.
- Open DCIM › Camera for photos and videos, or any other folder. Drag what you want to Finder, or select it and copy it to Downloads.
No cable? Switch the phone to Wi-Fi from PhoneDesk's menu, or pair wirelessly from Android's Wireless debugging screen, and Browse Files works the same way. You can also share a file from any app on the phone to Send to Mac and it lands in your Downloads folder.
Your options on a Mac
| App | Connects by | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhoneDesk | USB or Wi-Fi (needs USB debugging) | Whole internal storage, both ways, plus desktop mode, mirroring and second monitor | $25 once |
| OpenMTP | USB only | Phone storage, both ways | Free, open source |
| MacDroid | USB and Wi-Fi | Phone in Finder; Mac → phone needs PRO | PRO $19.99 a year |
| Image Capture | USB | Camera photos only, phone → Mac | Free, built into macOS |
Other apps from their own pages, November 2026. We make PhoneDesk.
- Want files and the rest (DeX or Pixel desktop mode in a window, mirroring, phone as a second monitor): PhoneDesk.
- Only want files, and would rather not turn on USB debugging: OpenMTP is free and works over the cable in File transfer mode; for camera photos only, Image Capture is built into macOS.
Questions
Is Android File Transfer still available for Mac?
No. Google no longer offers it for Mac; its own help page for moving files by USB now covers only Windows computers and Chromebooks. PhoneDesk’s Browse Files does the same job and more.
Do I need USB debugging?
Yes. Browse Files works through the same adb connection PhoneDesk uses for everything else, so USB debugging must be on. If you’d rather not turn it on, OpenMTP (free) and macOS’s Image Capture work in the phone’s plain File transfer mode.
Can I transfer files over Wi-Fi?
Yes. Switch the phone to Wi-Fi in PhoneDesk’s menu (or pair wirelessly), then open Browse Files as usual. After the phone restarts, reconnect over USB once or re-pair wirelessly.
Does it work with Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones?
Browse Files uses adb, which every Android phone with USB debugging supports, so it isn’t tied to a brand. We test PhoneDesk on a Galaxy Z Fold 6 and a Pixel 9 Pro. If PhoneDesk doesn’t work with your phone, you can get a refund within 14 days.
Can I see hidden files or other apps’ data folders?
No. Browse Files shows your phone’s internal storage like Finder does, without hidden files, and Android/data isn’t shown.
I already own PhoneDesk. Do I pay for Browse Files?
No. It’s part of PhoneDesk 1.5, a free update for everyone who owns PhoneDesk. Update from the app, or download the latest version.
My phone doesn’t show up. What should I check?
Use a cable that carries data, unlock the phone, turn on USB debugging in Developer options, and tap Allow on the “Allow USB debugging?” prompt the first time you connect. Then choose Browse Files… under your phone in PhoneDesk’s menu.
Also in PhoneDesk: Samsung DeX on your Mac, Pixel desktop mode on Mac and your phone as a second monitor.
PhoneDesk, $25 once
Browse Files, desktop mode, mirroring and second monitor. macOS 13 or later. 14-day refund.