I can’t get Android File Transfer to recognize my Galaxy S8 on my MacBook. I’ve tried different cables and restarted both devices, but it still won’t show up. I need to move photos for work and am stuck. Has anyone else had this problem or know a fix?
Why Can’t I Get Android File Transfer to Work with My Galaxy S8 on Mac? (And What You Can Actually Do)
If you’ve ever jabbed your USB cable into your Mac and Galaxy S8 and ended up staring at a screen that does absolutely nothing, congrats—you’re living the full Android File Transfer (AFT) frustration experience. It’s a weird limbo: phone’s charged, notifications ping, but transferring files? Nada. I’ve been there. Here’s a breakdown of what’s going wrong and some ways to (maybe) claw your way out of the abyss.
“Hey, Why Isn’t This Thing Working?” – The Relatable Rant
So, here’s the thing. Android File Transfer used to be the “official” way to bounce files between Mac and Android, like the Galaxy S8. It’s always had a janky reputation—refusing to connect about half the time, randomly crashing the other half. But the plot twist? Now you can’t even redownload it from the developer’s website. Seriously, Google’s just peaced out.
You plug in your S8, open AFT, and what do you get? “Could not connect to device.” Or worse: nothing. Sometimes, I feel like it’s just gaslighting us.
I Tried All the Usual Fixes… (Spoiler: Most Are a Waste of Time)
- Checked my USB cable. (Yup, tried three.)
- Restarted both Mac and phone, just in case.
- Unlocked my phone, switched between “Charge only” and “File transfer” modes.
- Uninstalled and reinstalled AFT (back when you could still download it).
Result? Still stuck. Realizing that hoping for a miracle from Android File Transfer in 2024 is like hoping your dial-up modem catches up with streaming Netflix.
The Modern Alternative: MacDroid
If you’ve stumbled on this post, give MacDroid a look. It’s basically what we wish AFT was. The install isn’t sketchy, the interface feels modern, and—best of all—it actually works with newer Androids like the S8. File transfers? Done. Folder browsing? Smooth. No mysterious “can’t connect” window popping up.
Pros (From Experience):
- Supports direct drag-and-drop between Finder and your phone.
- Handles big video files better than AFT ever dreamed of.
- Continuously updated, unlike AFT (R.I.P).
Cons:
- Not free—but neither is wasted time troubleshooting the old way.
- Needs a small setup tweak on your phone, but it’s all guided.
For the People Who Hope AFT Will Come Back
Heads up: You can’t grab Android File Transfer from the official site anymore. If you see downloads on random websites—run away! Those are often just traps with old copies, malware, or both. It’s dead, folks.
What to Actually Do Next
- Try MacDroid if you want a straightforward, modern fix: MacDroid on App Store.
- Avoid sketchy AFT download links. The legit option has left the building.
- Use cloud storage if all else fails (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.), but man, nothing beats drag-and-drop when you’re working with hundreds of files.
I get it—dealing with Android on Mac is way more complicated than it needs to be. MacDroid isn’t perfect, but for now, it’s the path of least resistance (and headache).
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If we’re being honest, Android File Transfer has always been as sturdy as a Jenga tower during an earthquake. Like, hands up if you’ve ever actually gotten AFT to work on the first try. No one? Didn’t think so. I get that folks are swearing by MacDroid now (like @mikeappsreviewer points out), and I kinda agree it’s a step up, though paying for something as basic as file transfer feels a little… much. Still, better than the endless error loop.
Not to sound like a broken record but have you looked at your phone’s USB settings after plugging in? Fully unlock the S8, pull down the notification shade, and see if it offers “File transfer mode” or “MTP.” Sometimes it defaults to “Charging only,” and it’s the dumbest little setting that borks the whole thing. Also, if you’ve got Samsung’s Smart Switch app lurking in the background, kill it—apparently it sometimes hijacks the port and blocks file transfers to anything but itself.
In wild desperation, I got halfway there using Samsung’s own Smart Switch (not great but worked for SOME stuff), and one time I even used a Windows laptop just to move files because AFT on Mac was trash.
Cloud storage is my last-resort workaround—frustrating if you’re moving hundreds of pics but at least it’s reliable. Google Drive, Dropbox, whatever—just dump your photos there and grab ‘em on the Mac. Not elegant, but you won’t want to throw your devices across the room.
Sidenote: I wouldn’t waste time downloading AFT from weird sites. Malware city.
So yeah, AFT is pretty much dead, and all the old-school troubleshooting is just looping the same pointless cycle. If you get desperate, MacDroid’s worth the trial for drag-drop sanity. Or just accept that Android/Mac transfer is forever a cursed process. Choose your fighter, I guess.
Honestly, Android File Transfer on Mac is basically the Windows Vista of file transfer solutions—aged out, unpredictable, and borderline useless. Shoutout to @mikeappsreviewer and @waldgeist for making clear how much of a dead end it’s become. In my case, after fighting with the “Could not connect to device” error for the hundredth time, I ditched AFT and went the SD card route—popped it out of my S8, slapped it in a cheap SD reader, instant photo access. It lacks the elegance (and you gotta have/borrow an SD reader), but the old-school “pull the memory stick, plug into Mac” move actually works every time, zero drivers/malware risk.
Cloud’s okay if your connection’s decent and you’re not drowning in files, but uploading a gig of photos to Drive just to download them again… what a drag. MacDroid’s pretty much the only modern drag-and-drop solution that isn’t a headache right now, but tbh, I refuse to pay for basic features tech solved in 1999. At this point, it almost feels like Mac and Android are just trolling each other. If you must do it often, maybe just invest in MacDroid or figure out a way to run a Linux VM for transfers. Or cave, like I did last week, and borrow a Windows machine for 10 minutes. Messy, but effective.
Honestly, feels like the only real choices are MacDroid (if you can swallow the fee), SD cards, or cloud. AFT? She’s dead, Jim.