Google's Android File Transfer app has been notoriously unreliable — especially on newer Mac versions. If it's not connecting, not opening, or not showing your files, you're not alone. Here's what to try, and a wireless alternative that bypasses the problem entirely.
Android File Transfer (AFT) relies on the MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) over USB. It breaks frequently because:
Pull down the notification shade on your Android. Look for "USB preferences" or "Charging this device via USB". Tap it and change to File Transfer (MTP).
Most USB-C cables are charge-only and won't work for data. Try the original cable that came with your phone, or buy a USB-C data cable specifically.
Force quit Android File Transfer (Cmd+Q or Activity Monitor), unplug the phone, then replug. Open AFT before unlocking the phone.
When you connect, your Android phone may ask "Allow access to phone data?" or "Trust this computer?" — tap Allow. If you already tapped Deny, revoke USB debugging in Developer Options and retry.
Download the latest version from android.com/filetransfer, then install it fresh. Sometimes the old installation is corrupted.
If none of the fixes work — or if you're tired of fighting with USB cables — there's a better way. Seyfr transfers files wirelessly, with no USB cable and no drivers.
Seyfr is a free app that lets you transfer files from Android to Mac (or Windows PC) over Wi-Fi. No USB. No drivers. No Android File Transfer. Just scan a QR code and your files move instantly.
| Feature | Android File Transfer | Seyfr |
|---|---|---|
| Requires USB cable | Yes | No — wireless |
| Requires drivers/MTP | Yes — frequently breaks | No |
| Works on Mac (Ventura/Sonoma) | Often fails | Always |
| Transfer to Windows PC | Mac only | Yes |
| Transfer to iPhone/iPad | No | Yes |
| File size limit | None | None |
| File compression | None | None — full quality |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Last updated | 2021 | Active development |
Ventura and Sonoma made significant changes to how USB devices are handled on Mac. Android File Transfer relies on a kernel extension (kext) approach that Apple has been deprecating since Big Sur. Many users on Ventura and Sonoma find that Android File Transfer simply never opens, or shows "Could not connect to device" even with a working cable.
Seyfr bypasses this entirely by using Wi-Fi instead of USB, making it version-agnostic — it works identically on Ventura, Sonoma, Monterey, and older Mac versions.
Besides Seyfr, here are other options people use:
Seyfr is the only free, wireless, no-account, no-limit option in this list.
Seyfr transfers files from Android to Mac (or Windows) wirelessly in seconds — free, forever.
Download for Android (Free) Learn more →Android 14 changed the way MTP is handled and broke compatibility with Android File Transfer on many Mac systems. Google has not released an update to address this. Seyfr is not affected because it doesn't use MTP or USB.
This error usually means one of: wrong USB mode (set to charging instead of file transfer), a charge-only USB cable, or an MTP driver conflict on Mac. The fastest fix is to switch to wireless transfer with Seyfr.
You can use Google Drive or iCloud, but these require an internet connection and storage limits apply. Seyfr transfers directly over local Wi-Fi with no internet required, no cloud storage, and no file size limit.
Seyfr works over local Wi-Fi networks. If you don't have Wi-Fi, you can create a mobile hotspot on one device and connect the other to it — Seyfr will work over that local connection.