Quick answer: To send a large file from an Android phone to a Mac, upload it at Share Large Files Free (up to 20 GB per transfer) and open the download link on the Mac. The file downloads to the Mac's Downloads folder in original quality. Nothing needs to be installed on the Mac.
Built-in options, and their limits
AirDrop is for Apple devices and Quick Share is for Android and Windows, so neither normally connects an Android phone to a Mac.
A USB cable is harder than on Windows. Macs do not show Android phones in Finder by default, and Google's old Android File Transfer app has been discontinued, so you need a third-party app. Image Capture on the Mac can import photos and videos from some phones.
Cloud drives such as Google Drive work, but uploads count against your storage.
Send any size from Android to Mac with a link
- On Android, open Share Large Files Free in Chrome, or install it as an app and use Share from the Gallery.
- Choose your files and let the upload finish with the screen on.
- Copy the link and send it to yourself, or type it into the Mac's browser.
- On the Mac, open the link and click Download.
- Find the file in the Downloads folder. Videos open in QuickTime Player, and ZIP files open with a double-click.
Things that trip people up
- Some Android phones save videos as HEVC with high frame rates. Macs play these, but older editing software may not.
- If you send a whole folder, zip it on the phone first so the folder structure is kept.
- Battery saver and data saver can pause uploads on Android. Turn them off for the transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn't my Mac see my Android phone over USB?
macOS does not include support for the protocol Android uses for file transfer, so it needs a third-party app. Uploading and downloading with a link avoids the cable entirely.
Does Quick Share work on a Mac?
Not officially. Quick Share is made for Android and Windows. Use a download link to reach a Mac.
Will my photos keep their details?
Yes. The file is delivered byte for byte, so date, camera and location data stay in the photo unless you remove them first.
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