SyncMate: The easiest way to sync Mac with iOS and Android. A complete guide to using Android with Mac Sync program android with mac via usb

Most of the services listed below rely on the cloud to make the process of moving data between devices painless, while other methods require a trusted and proven way to transfer data over a USB connection.

Document synchronization

Unlike the iPhone, file transfer is as easy as drag and drop. How you do this, however, will depend on which version of Android your phone is running. Not only can you sync documents for access on your Android device, but your phone can also act as a storage drive for important documents or an assistant for moving files between computers.

Older Android devices have a USB Storage mode that can be activated when the device is connected to a Mac, and a USB notification will appear. From there, select "Connect as USB Drive".

At this point, your phone will appear as a drive on your desktop. Open it and you can move files from various folders on your phone.

When using this method, make sure you turn off your Android device before disconnecting from your computer. To do this, open Finder and click the eject icon next to the device. If disconnection is not performed before disconnecting the device, data on the device may be corrupted, which in turn results in file loss.

Newer Androids require you to use the app to sync files between the two devices. Google recommends using their Android File Transfer (AFT) program, which you can download from Android.com. With AFT, you can browse your Android device's system folders and drag and drop files between it and your Mac. The program is very simple, but it works.

While AFT is more than adequate for basic file syncing, other apps like Droid NAS allow you to wirelessly share files between your device and your Mac with ease. The program effectively helps your phone or tablet appear as a shared computer in your Mac's Finder, allowing you to transfer files without using a USB cable. Read for Droid NAS to see how you can set up profile syncing based on your Wi-Fi network. I use this app and I love it.

Another option for wirelessly accessing files and other content on your Android device is AirDroid, a free service that allows you to remotely access and modify your phone's files from a browser window. AirDroid 2 is currently in beta and will allow you to manage a long list of items on your device's storage wirelessly. Or you can install the original version of AirDroid if you don't want to mess with the beta version.

Music

There are several scenarios that will determine how you sync the music files on your computer to your Android device. As you already know, you can simply drag and drop your entire music library onto your phone, but you'll run into a couple of issues. First, you may not want to do this every time you download a new song. Secondly, you may not have enough space on your device to store all these files.

Luckily, Google Music solves this problem and makes the music syncing process a breeze. With Google Music, you can download your entire music library (up to 20,000 songs) and stream or download to your phone as long as you have an internet connection. And every time you download a new song on your Mac, it will become available on your phone.

To get started with Google Music, you first need to download the Music Manager app.

After downloading the app on your Mac, you need to show it where your music is stored. Once you have defined a monitoring folder, the application will automatically upload music to the Google Music Service. Not only does this method provide an easy way to get your music on your device, but it also frees up storage space that would otherwise be filled with music.

Once you've created your library, you can download any artist, album, or playlist over Wi-Fi or cellular into the Android music app itself. Just click on the pushpin icon to start the download process.

Best of all, you don't have to mess with iTunes when syncing music from your computer to your Android device. You simply tell the Music Manager where your music library is, and when new files are added, they are automatically downloaded. You can store 20,000 songs for free.

Photo

There are several different ways to sync photos from your Android device to your Mac so that every time you take a photo of something, it is copied to your Mac. The beauty of some of these solutions is that after the initial setup, you don't have to do anything to transfer photos from your phone to your Mac. Not only does this type of system make it easy to access photos on your computer, but it also ensures that you always have a backup of your photos in case you lose your phone. Before proceeding, sign up for a Dropbox account if you don't already have one.

Dropbox provides a free way for your photos to automatically sync with the service, which in turn uploads them to your Mac's camera uploads folder. This is the fastest way to transfer photos from device to Mac, but not the only way. SyncMate Expert will also help you achieve the same results as the AFT and Droid NAS apps, though not automatically like Dropbox does.

There is also an app called DoubleTwist that has an AirSync feature. The app requires software to be installed on both Android and Mac devices. After installing and configuring the program, you can synchronize music, photos, videos and wirelessly between two devices.

Cinema

The large screens commonly found on Android devices make them ideal for watching movies. But not only do you have to rely on Netflix, Hulu Plus, or HBO Go for your entertainment, you can download movies to your phone and watch them anywhere, even when you're offline. Transferring large movies or videos between Mac and Android is time consuming, so make sure you don't do it in a hurry.

Solutions such as AirDroid, DoubleTwist, SyncMate, Droid NAS, and AFT all allow you to transfer movies and videos to your Android device from a Mac computer. But, be aware that some of the wireless solutions may be slower than the wired solution offered by Android File Transfer.

Regardless of which method you choose, you will need to add any movie files to the "Movie" folder located on your Android device. If there is no such folder, create it.

You will probably have trouble playing different types of video files on your Android device even though the built-in player supports many formats. But if you don't want to worry about that, download MX Player from the Google store and use it as your main video player. It supports a long list of file types.

Of course, all that video transmission quickly eats up precious storage space, so consider incorporating a cloud solution. One option is to stream videos stored in your Dropbox account through the Dropbox app. Just be aware that streaming video over a cellular connection consumes a lot of data.

Contacts and calendars

Many of us would be shocked if we suddenly lost contacts in our address book. Long gone are the days of remembering phone numbers, addresses and birthdays, we now rely on our devices to store this vital information. Also long gone are the days of needing a USB connection to synchronize this kind of information between devices. Now there are services like Google and Apple to ensure that all of our devices keep important information up to date as soon as you connect to an account.

The good news is that Google and Apple really do play well together when it comes to syncing contacts and calendars. On your Mac, sign in with your Google account in both Contacts and Calendar. You can do this by launching the application and going to the settings (in the menu bar, click on the name of the application, click the "Settings" button). After you enter the settings page, click on the account icon at the top. In the Contacts app, click on the "To My Mac" button and then check the box to start syncing with Google. You need to sign in with the same Google account as on your Android device.

The process in the Calendar app is similar, but instead of choosing "to my Mac", you need to click on the "+" sign at the bottom of the window and select Google from the list of services you can add. Again, sign in with the same Google account as you did on your Android device.

On an Android device, launch the settings app and find your Google account under "Accounts". Click on your account name and check the box next to Calendar and Contacts. Any changes made to this information will sync between your Android device and Mac permanently. Most of the time, these changes are almost instantaneous, but there may be slight delays in synchronization.

If you're an iCloud user who wouldn't want to switch to Google services for contacts and calendar needs, check out SmoothSync for the cloud-based Calendar or Contacts apps. Any of these applications will allow you to sync your information from iCloud to Android devices.

Bookmarks and tabs

Synchronization of browser bookmarks and tabs is one of those features that once you start using it, you will not understand how you used to live without it. It allows you to easily switch from your computer to your smartphone (or vice versa) and continue browsing where you left off. Instead of emailing or messaging links to yourself, you just fire up your browser and you're done.

The easiest way to make sure your bookmarks, open tabs, and other browser settings are synced from your computer to your Android device is to use the built-in Google Chrome browser.

If your Android device doesn't come with Chrome browser preinstalled, you can download it for free. And, of course, you need Chrome for Mac, which you can also download.

Sign in to Chrome on both devices with the same Google account, and then sign in to the setup page. Check the box to sync the services you want.

Note that you need to use a device running Android 4.0 or higher to install Chrome. If you are running an older version of Android, you can try using SyncMate . The free version does not provide bookmark syncing, so you have to pay $35 for the Expert version.

Obviously, we can't cover every app or service when it comes to using an Android device with a Mac, so if you have one you like the most, please let us know in the comments.

One of the main advantages of Apple products is the excellent work of different devices within the same ecosystem. Mac, iPhone, iPad, and even Apple Watch - all these gadgets work perfectly individually and in a bundle. None of the competitors yet offers anything like this. But technology does not stand still: even now, not only iPhone, but also any other Android smartphone can be connected to Mac. How to do it? Now we'll tell you.

By the efforts of several enthusiasts, a special utility for synchronizing KDE Connect was developed. This application provides various opportunities for integration and close work of Android devices with desktop operating systems.

Initially, the program was available only for Windows and Linux, but just the other day a test version for macOS appeared on the Web.

The KDE Connect app currently supports the following features:

Run commands on Mac using a smartphone;
View the charge level of connected devices;
Sound notification to search for a lost device;
File transfer and shared clipboard;
Volume and multimedia control.

The utility also allows you to view received notifications directly on your Mac. However, this feature works in test mode - it must be enabled manually in the settings.

How to install KDE Connect

For stable operation of the utility, a version and newer is required.

Download the test version of the application from the repository.

Unpack the image and transfer the program shortcut to "Applications".

We start the utility. We will be asked to connect the Android device to the Mac.

Before directly establishing a connection, you must download and install the appropriate client for your Android smartphone.

After completing the setup procedure, the KDE Connect icon will appear on the top panel. Here we will be able to view all synchronized devices and also manage them. Of course, such a solution can hardly be called an alternative to Continuity, but it's worth trying out the application anyway. Moreover, the program is distributed completely free of charge.

The developer promises that over time the utility will "grow" with new features. We believe in the word.

Android and Mac OS are quite problematic when it comes to transferring contacts from each other. For example, from my Android (Samsung Galaxy) it is difficult to transfer contacts to Mac OS. Of course, you can use special programs for this, like BootCamp or Parallels, to start Windows on a MacBook. But not everyone wants to spend their disk space for this. There is a way out - a special utility with the romantic name The Missing Sync for Android.

Installation procedure and actions:

1. Download the program installer from the official website. You need the version that is designed for Mac OS, although there is also one for Windows.

2. After installing the program, when you first start it, you are prompted to connect your Android to a computer or log out with it from a Wi-Fi network.

The calendar and contact list will be synchronized via Wi-Fi, and a USB connection is required to install the client itself on the phone.

3. From the Android OS desktop, launch the Missing Sync icon, or find its shortcut.

4. Synchronize the device with the Mac using Wi-Fi.

5. Of all the proposed options, leave a check mark on Contacts. We remove the rest, because now we do not need them.

6. Synchronize.

The process itself will go in two stages. On the first one, entries from the desktop Address Book are read, and on the second, filling in Android will begin. 150 accounts will be backed up within five minutes.

7. After all the operations, open the Notebook on the phone and make sure that all the actions for synchronizing Android and Mac OS were performed correctly and the contacts were transferred.

It remains to be added that The Missing Sync for Android is only free for 37 days. You will have to pay $40 for its subsequent use.

Some people believe that Android devices and Mac OS computers cannot interact. This misconception may have been partly true in the distant past, but nowadays there are many methods, applications and services that allow you to use your Android OS device with Mac OS. Within the framework of one article it is impossible to describe all the means available to us for this, but we will try to tell you about the best of them. Many of the services discussed below are cloud-based and make the process of exchanging information between devices simple and painless, although we will also touch on the methods associated with using a USB connection.

Document synchronization

Unlike the iPhone, transferring files to Android devices is quite simple. The method of downloading files may differ slightly depending on the version of Google Android you are using, but in general it works on the same principle. The Android OS allows you not only to synchronize certain types of documents, but to download any information in general, using your smartphone as a regular flash drive. Many Android devices use a "USB Storage Mode" that becomes active when the device is connected to a Mac OS computer or laptop. At the same time, you will see a notification about the USB connection on the display of the device. This notification just needs to be opened and the connection allowed. After that, you will have a connected USB flash drive on your computer, which you can safely open and download the information you need to it. After you finish downloading the files, safely remove the device using the special icon next to the device in the explorer window. Disconnecting an Android device from a computer without first ejecting it can damage the drive and the information stored on it.
Some newer Android devices require a special app to sync with your computer. Google recommends using Android File Transfer (AFT), which is very easy to manage and allows you to easily manipulate files and folders stored on devices. While AFT's capabilities are sufficient for most users, other programs such as Droid NAS , allow for wireless exchange of information between devices. Droid NAS makes your device visible in the Finder as a shared computer, allowing you to transfer files over Wi-Fi. Another way to sync wirelessly is with the free AirDroid service, which allows you to access files stored on your device through a regular web browser. Instructions for using AirDroid are located.

Music

There are several ways you can sync music between your PC and Android device. First of all, you can simply download music to your device with the simple copy we talked about in the previous paragraph. However, some may find it inconvenient to connect the device every time to download a new song, not to mention that the amount of memory on your device may not allow you to download all your music. Numerous cloud services can help you deal with these problems. Unfortunately, the Google Music service (which is perfect for us in this situation) is not yet available in all countries, so many will have to look for other solutions (Dropbox, etc.). On the other hand, the use of cloud services requires not only configuration, but also a constant connection of devices to the Internet, so for us personally, the good old manual method of downloading files is the most preferable.

Photos

There are several ways to sync your photos between two devices that allow you to save your photos to your Mac OS PC as soon as you take them on your Android device. The main advantage of these methods is that you only need to do the initial setup, and then all operations will be carried out automatically without your intervention. An added benefit is that you will never lose your photos as they will be backed up on your computer and in the cloud. For such synchronization of photos, the Dropbox service we have already mentioned is ideal, so we recommend using it. After you install and set up Dropbox, all photos taken with your Android device will be automatically saved on your Mac OS computer in the Camera Uploads folder.
As in the case of music, nothing prevents you from using more traditional ways to synchronize pictures, as well as the already mentioned applications like AFT and Droid NAS. And if you like to experiment, then we recommend that you pay attention to two more interesting solutions that are implemented using the SyncMate Expert application and the AirSync add-on from DoubleTwist. However, keep in mind that with all of these methods, you are unlikely to achieve the same simplicity and automation as with Dropbox.

Movies

The large display found on many Android devices is great for watching movies. However, not everyone uses services such as Netflix, Hulu Plus or HBO Go to watch. Many people find it more convenient (and hard to disagree with this) to download a movie from a computer directly to their phone in order to be able to watch it offline. As a rule, movies are larger than other files, so they may take time to download. Those. if you are late for the train, then starting to download a movie is not the best idea.
To download a movie from Mac OS to an Android device, you can use any of the above methods (AirDroid, SyncMate, DoubleTwist, Droid NAS, AFT), however, keep in mind that wireless methods are usually slower than wired ones, so downloading large files, we recommend using a USB cable and applications like Android File Transfer. But in general, as you might have guessed, there are no particular problems with downloading videos on Android. If you have any difficulties, then they will most likely relate to the inability to play some video formats. However, this problem can be easily solved by installing an additional video player (for example, VLC or MX Player ), which includes a large set of codecs and is capable of playing almost any multimedia format. Another problem may be the lack of enough user memory in the device and, as a result, the inability to download a large number of videos. One of the possible ways out of this situation is to use the Dropbox service we have already mentioned, however, you should keep in mind that in order to work with it, you will need a good Internet connection and a large amount of available traffic.

Contacts and calendar

For many, the loss of contacts from the address book can be a serious problem. The days when people kept numbers, addresses, and dates of birth in their heads are long gone. Today, almost everyone relies on having their information stored in the device's memory. Gone are also the days when the only means of synchronizing such information was a USB connection. Google, Apple and some other companies provide wireless synchronization between all devices that are connected to a single account.
The good news is that Google and Apple are getting along quite well when it comes to contact and calendar syncing. On a Mac OS computer, you only need to connect to your Google account in the Contacts and Calendar apps. To do this, you need to launch the application and open its settings (this can be done not only in the application itself, but also by clicking on the application name in the menu and selecting the “Settings” item). On the settings page, you will need to click on the Accounts icon, which is located at the top. In the "Contacts" application, you will need to select the item "On my Mac" (On My Mac) and then put a special checkmark in the window that opens to start synchronization with Google. Please note that the Google account you added to the app must match the one used on your Android device. The process of synchronization with the calendar is similar, however, instead of the item "On my Mac" (On My Mac) you will need to click on the "+" icon, which is located at the bottom of the window, and select Google from the list of available services. Again, we remind you that the same Google account must be used everywhere.
On an Android device, you should open the settings, go to the accounts section and make sure that the "Calendar" and "Contacts" items are ticked in the account you are using. If everything is configured correctly, then any changes will now be synchronized on both your devices. In general, synchronization will be quite fast, but sometimes there may be small delays, which are not worth worrying about. If you are a user of the iCloud cloud service and are not in a hurry to completely switch to services from Google, then we recommend that you pay attention to the SmoothSync for Cloud Calendar applications. and SmoothSync for Cloud Contacts . With their help, you can easily synchronize information from iCloud with your Android device.

Browser bookmarks

Bookmark sync is one of those features that once you start using it, you'll wonder how you ever got by without it. Thanks to it, you can safely switch between your devices and calmly continue the work you have begun. The easiest way to keep bookmarks, open pages, and browser settings in sync across devices is to use the Google Chrome browser. In the latest versions of the Google Android platform, the Chrome browser is already installed by default, and if it is not, then you can try downloading Chrome in the Google Play app store. The version of Google Chrome for Mac OS can be downloaded. In both browsers (on a computer and on an Android device), you need to connect your Google account. In the Google Chrome settings, you can also choose which services you plan to sync. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that if you are using Android OS version below version 4.0, then Chrome installation may not be available. In this case, we recommend using the SyncMate application , the free version of which will allow you to sync your bookmarks.
The list of applications described above is far from exhaustive. You may be aware of other useful applications for synchronizing Android and Mac OS, as well as additional areas of interaction between these systems. It will be very kind of you if you share the information you know in the comments to this article.

Since Mac and Android systems run on two completely different operating systems, it's hard to detect an Android device on your Mac/Macbook. Thus, in order to connect Android to Mac computer or MacBook for data transfer, you need to choose some reliable solutions.

Although it is not very common to transfer data between Mac system and Android device, when you have an Android whose data needs to be stored on your computer, you can follow the following solutions to do it.

If Android to Mac File Transfer is a concern for you, we've got these saviors on the way.

In this article, we've featured 10 Mac (MacBook) Android file transfer tools that might come in handy for you. Let's dive deeper to understand how to transfer files from Android to Mac.

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SD card

SD cards are a popular and convenient means of storing and exchanging data between mobile devices and computers. You can copy files from Android to Mac vice versa without any hiccups. Although, you have to make sure that the file formats adhere to certain Apple guidelines.

Transfer Data from Android to Mac Using SD Card

Here is how to transfer data from Android to Mac using an SD card:

Remove the SD card from your Android phone.
Insert the SD card into a card reader and then insert into the appropriate slot on your MacBook.
Now, go to Photos > File > Import > Select Photos > Browse to Import.
Click "Import all new photos" or "Import selected" depending on your choice. When prompted, select Remove Items/Keep Items from the SD card after copying.
You can see the photos under the "IMPORT & Photos" album.

Pros

Fast data transfer on your Mac desktop.
You can use SD 1.x, 2.x, and standard 3.X cards with a Mac computer.
You don't need to launch iTunes for this.

Cons

UHS - SD II cards only work with iMac Pro systems.
Data transfer speed depends on SD cards and a damaged card can transmit viruses too.
Sometimes the SD card can show errors even if the card is installed correctly.

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What is "SD Card Reader" and How to Recover Lost Data from SD Card
Samsung SD Card Recovery: Data Recovery from Samsung SD Card

Android File Transfer

This software is developed by Google to enable Android - Macbook file transfer. Android devices running on version 3.0 or higher can be used to export data to and from Max OS X 10.5 and higher systems. You need to download the DMG file and install the software on your Mac.

Use the Android File Transfer (Mac) app to transfer files

Here is a quick guide for you on how to transfer files from Android to Mac:

Download the application from the Android site.
View "AndroidFileTransfer.dmg" > go to "Applications" > connect Android with USB.
Double click "Android File Transfer" > find files on Android > copy them to your Mac.

Pros

Support for the latest versions of Android.
The easiest way to transfer files from Android phone to Mac and vice versa.
Free download.

Cons

Not effective all the time.
This does not allow large files to be transferred.
The possibilities are limited.

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AirDroid

If you're thinking about how to connect Android to Mac and transfer files, AirDroid is a good option to do it over Wi-Fi. This Android app will help you organize your Android device's text messages, files and even incoming calls from any computer. It also allows you to control your phone remotely.

Connect Android phone to Mac via Wi-Fi

Brief step by step guide on how to transfer files from Mac to Android:

Download the app on your mobile and create an account. Now connect your phone and Mac to the same Wi-Fi.
Browse the AirDroid website on your Mac and sign in to your account.
On your Mac, click Photos > tag > click Download.

Pros

You can use it from Windows PC, Mac computer and web browser.
It displays text messages on your computer.
You can transfer files between any devices.

Cons

It contains many annoying ads.
Remote camera control can go awry if it falls into the wrong hands.
And your Mac/computer and Android must be on the same Wi-Fi.

Samsung Smart Switch

This software from Samsung can transfer, restore and backup Samsung phones data to other platforms wirelessly and using computers too. It is also possible to transfer data from an iOS device or iCloud to a Samsung phone to use it.

Transfer Data from Android to Mac with Samsung Smart Switch

Transfer Guide from Your Android to Mac:

Install and run Samsung Smart Switch on your Mac computer. Connect your Samsung phone and unlock it.
On your Mac, click on "Internal Storage" > "SD card" / "Phone" > navigate to photo > drag and drop to your Mac.

Note: If you are wondering how to transfer files from Mac to Android, the process is pretty much the same.

Pros

You can transfer contacts, photos, music and call history with this app.
It supports Android and IOS devices.
Compatible with Mac and Windows computers.

Cons

Limited to Samsung phones for Android-Mac file transfer
Not all file types are supported

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Samsung Kies for Mac

Samsung Kies can manage contacts, calendars, and sync them with Samsung devices. It can backup and transfer data from your Samsung to Mac/Windows computer. It does not sync all Android phones with MacBooks, but only Samsung ones.

Copy files from Android to Mac with Kies

Here is how to transfer files from Android to Mac:

Download Kies from Samsung official website > choose "Normal" mode when installing > connect Samsung phone.
Click on the "Samsung Kies" icon on your Mac > hit "Library" > "Photos" > "Add Photo".
Head to "Connected Devices" and select the photos you want to transfer and click "Save to Computer".

Pros

Supports most Samsung phones that have Bada and Android.
Compatible with Windows and Mac computers.
Transfer and backup for Samsung devices are possible.

Cons

Designed for Samsung phones only.
This is not a mobile app.
Samsung stopped servicing Kies recently.

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Transfer Files from Samsung to Computer with Kies over Wi-Fi

LG Bridge

LG Bridge comes pre-installed in LG mobile phones and cannot be downloaded. You can install the Mac software and then transfer the data. Don't worry about how to connect LG Android phone to Mac, LG AirDrive Bridge can do it wirelessly.

LG bridge to transfer between Android and Mac

Here is the guide to transfer data from LG phone to Mac:

Download and launch "LG Bridge" on your Mac. Register Login. Click on its taskbar icon > "LG AirDrive.
On your LG phone, Apps > Settings > Networks > Share & Connections > LG Bridge > select AirDrive > Login (using the same details as on a Mac).
On LG Drive on Mac, click on the device and drag the desired photos/files to Mac.

Pros

You can transfer data wirelessly to Mac and Windows PC.
Wireless and USB are available on your Mac.
You can manage, backup and update your device.

Cons

Limited to some LG devices only.
File managers are complicated by LG Bridge.

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Google Drive

Google Drive is developed by Google and is a famous cloud service. You can transfer files from Mac to Android and see-a-versa usage. You can share files from Mac PC with anyone around the world using this.

Transfer files from Android to Mac using Google Drive

Let's see how to transfer videos from Android to Mac using Google Drive:

Dropbox is a cloud storage option that allows you to store and sync files. You can access them from mobile, computer and web browser.

Android to Mac transfer via Dropbox

How to transfer from Android to Mac using Dropbox:

Install Dropbox on your Android mobile, create an account and login. Now click on the "+" icon > Upload photos and videos > select them > Upload.
On your Mac computer, install Dropbox and launch it. Sign in for your Dropbox account > under "Places" click "Dropbox" > select the desired media files > drag and drop Mac.

Note: Allow keychain access to Dropbox on Mac.

Pros

Access files across multiple platforms and devices.
You can edit documents online.
Selectively sync files.

Cons

Requires Keychain access to verify your Dropbox account on Mac.
This allows only 2 GB of free disk space.
Transferring data from android to mac is inconvenient if you don't have internet access.

AirMore

AirMore comes as the obvious choice when it comes to choosing an over-the-air transfer method between Android and Mac systems.

For air transfer between Android and Mac

How to transfer data from Android to Mac using AirMore:

Install AirMore on your Android device.
On your Mac, open a web browser > AirMore website > Launch AirMore network to connect.
Launch AirMore on Android phone > scan QR.
Your phone will now show up in Mac. Click "Files" > scroll through the desired item > drag Mac.

Pros

Popular wireless file transfer mode between Mac and Android.
This may reflect your Android on a Mac system.
Easy to use and free software.

Cons

A strong Wi-Fi connection is required.
You need a browser to connect Mac and Android phone.