1. Install
Get Waslane on your Mac (App Store) and on your Android phone.
Android × Mac
Move files between Android and Mac. No cable, both directions.
Google's Android File Transfer is discontinued, and the cable-and-MTP routine was never pretty. Waslane takes the direct route: over your Wi-Fi, from your phone to your Mac and back. Drag, drop, done.
Free for 7 days. All local, no cloud, no account.
How it works
2. Pair
Both devices on the same Wi-Fi, scan the QR code. Takes under a minute.
3. Drag across
Send files in both directions, pull photos straight from the gallery.
Android File Transfer not working? Here is why
Google discontinued Android File Transfer in 2024 and took the download page offline. If you still have it installed, current macOS versions usually greet you with one of these three:
- "No Android device found": the phone is locked or set to "Charging only". Unlock it and pick "File transfer / Android Auto" in the USB notification. If the message stays, try another cable; many charging cables do not carry data.
- "Can't access device storage": another app is holding the MTP connection. Quit Samsung Smart Switch, Android Studio or Kies and plug the cable back in.
- The app does not open or hangs while connecting: Google no longer adapts the tool to new macOS versions. There is no fix for that, only a replacement.
On the cable route, OpenMTP (free, open source) and MacDroid (subscription) are the known successors. Both still need the cable and MTP mode. Waslane takes the other route: over your Wi-Fi, no cable, both directions, and the same connection also brings SMS, notifications and your phone screen to the Mac.
Compared to the usual routes
| Waslane | Cable + MTP tool | Cloud (Drive etc.) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable required | No, runs over your Wi-Fi | Yes, every time | No |
| Both directions | Yes, Mac ↔ phone | Yes | Yes, with a detour |
| Stays local / private | Yes, never leaves your Wi-Fi | Yes | No, uploads to third-party servers |
| Large files | No artificial limit | Yes | Storage and upload caps |
| Photos straight from the gallery | Yes, browse on the Mac | Folder structure only | Only with a sync app |
| Plus SMS, notifications, mirroring | Yes, all in one app | No | No |
The cable route with OpenMTP or MacDroid works, but it is manual labor every single time: find the cable, unlock the phone, confirm MTP mode, open the tool. The cloud is convenient but sends your files across someone else's servers and starts costing money after a few gigabytes. Waslane takes the direct route through your own network and turns it into a two-second move.
More than files
File transfer is just the start. The same connection also gives you SMS with full history on your Mac, notifications from every app with inline reply, a shared clipboard and live mirroring of your phone screen with mouse and keyboard. See all features
Frequently asked questions
Is Google's Android File Transfer still available?
No. Google discontinued the tool and took the official download page offline. That is exactly why Waslane exists: file transfer between Android and Mac over Wi-Fi, in both directions and without a cable.
Do I need a cable?
No. Waslane connects your phone and your Mac directly over your Wi-Fi. Put both devices on the same network, scan the QR code, drag files across.
How big can files be?
There is no artificial limit. Even large videos travel entirely over your local network, with no upload to a server and no cloud storage cap.
Do my files end up in a cloud?
No. Transfers run directly between your devices over your Wi-Fi, end-to-end encrypted with TLS 1.3. No server, no account, no tracking. More on privacy
What is the best Android File Transfer alternative for Mac?
It depends on the route. With a cable: OpenMTP (free, open source) or MacDroid (subscription). Without a cable, over Wi-Fi: Waslane, with files in both directions, photos straight from the gallery, plus SMS, notifications and screen mirroring.
Why is Android File Transfer not working anymore?
Google no longer maintains the tool, so on current macOS versions you see errors like "No Android device found" or "Can't access device storage". The three most common causes and what helps.
What does Waslane cost?
Try it free for 7 days, then €14.99 per year or a one-time €34.99 (lifetime, all updates included). The Android app is free, and one purchase covers Mac and iPad. See pricing
Stop hunting for cables.
Both devices on the same Wi-Fi, scan the QR code, drag files across. Free for 7 days, no account.
Get it for Mac & iPad Android appComing from KDE Connect? Here is the comparison.