How to Transfer Photos from Samsung to Mac

Macs don’t mount Androids automatically. To transfer files, such as photos, between a Mac and an Android (e.g., Samsung S6/S7/S8), you need to use apps like MacDroid, Android Assistant, Android File Transfer, Image Capture, or other methods like Smart Switch, Bluetooth, Google Drive, or directly from the SD Card. Check out the detailed step-by-step guide for each method in the next forum post.

How to Transfer Photos from Android to Mac: Easy Methods for Samsung Users :camera_flash:

Hey everyone! If you’ve ever tried connecting an Android device to a Mac, you might’ve noticed it’s not as straightforward as with a PC. But don’t worry, I’m here to help you transfer your photos effortlessly. Whether you’re rocking a Samsung S6, S7, or S8, these methods have got you covered!

We’ll chat about connecting Samsung to your Mac using a USB cable and some cool third-party apps, directly from your SD Card, via Bluetooth, and even Google Drive. Once you find the perfect method, you’ll be sharing files in no time!

Method 1: Using a USB Cable :electric_plug:

MacDroid

So, here’s your go-to app: MacDroid. It’s an app designed just for mounting Android and MTP drives. When you connect your Samsung to your Mac, it’ll show up in Finder like a regular flash drive. Super simple for copying, moving, and deleting files!

How to Transfer Pictures from Samsung to Mac Using MacDroid
  1. Install MacDroid and launch it.
  2. Plug your Samsung phone using a USB cable.
  3. In MacDroid, select ‘MTP Mode’ and hit ‘Next’.
  4. Your phone will show a pop-up; select ‘File transfer’.
  5. Select your phone in MacDroid, then click ‘Mount’.
  6. Your files, including photos, will now be visible in Finder!

For getting online via MacDroid, here’s a handy guide:

Latest version: 23 May, 2024

Download: MacDroid on the Mac App Store

Android Assistant

Thinking about transferring those snaps from your Samsung S7 to Mac? Android Assistant is a solid choice. It’s a data management app that lets you share single files or whole folders.

How to Use Android Assistant for Image Transfer
  1. Launch your activated Android Assistant.
  2. Connect your Samsung to your Mac via USB.
  3. Go to the ‘My Devices’ tab and select your phone.
  4. From the ‘Photos’ category, mark and export the files you need.

Latest version: Jul 9, 2023

Android File Transfer

If you’re after something straightforward, Android File Transfer is your guy. It’s the official tool for file swaps between Android and macOS. It’s free, easy to use, and you can get started right from the official Android site.

How to Use Android File Transfer
  1. Download and install it from android.com.
  2. Connect your Samsung phone with a USB cable.
  3. Open ‘Android File Transfer’ and browse your phone’s memory.
  4. Copy over the pictures you need to your Mac.

Latest version: August 22, 2023

Note: As of May 2024, it might be tricky to get the app from the official site for some reason.

Image Capture

Found right on your Mac, Image Capture is super handy for importing photos and videos from a Samsung Galaxy to Mac. Simple as can be!

Transfer Photos from Samsung with Mac Image Capture
  1. Open Image Capture and connect your Samsung over USB.
  2. Check the ‘Devices’ tab and pick your Android tablet.
  3. Select the photos you want.
  4. Use the ‘Import To’ drop-down to decide where they go.
  5. Hit ‘Download’ and you’re all set!

Method 2: Wireless Connection :signal_strength:

Smart Switch :calling:

Trying to figure out how to transfer photos from your Samsung S8 to a Mac or from a Galaxy tablet? Samsung’s got a handy solution called Smart Switch that you might wanna check out. You can easily view your folders right on your desktop and transfer those files to your hard drive without any hassle.

Here’s a YouTube video for a quick rundown:

Besides just file transfer, it also backs up your entire phone, which makes life a lot easier if you need to restore data on a different device later on. Oh, and did I mention? It’s free! :tada:

‘Samsung Smart Switch effortlessly transfers contacts, photos, music, videos, messages, notes, calendars, and more to virtually any Galaxy device,’ — abikarki, GSM-Forum

Steps to Copy Files Using Smart Switch

  1. Install and open Smart Switch on your Mac.
  2. Connect both devices to Wi-Fi.
  3. Click on your phone’s name to view ‘Internal Memory’ and ‘External Memory.’
  4. Open these folders to browse through them.
  5. Drag and drop the files to your desktop or Finder to copy them.

Latest version: Oct 16, 2023

Download: Smart Switch

Note: This app works over both USB and Wi-Fi.

‘Hi, I’ve been trying to connect my Samsung phone to my Mac without third-party apps. Is there a way to do so? I did it before but can’t remember how, it might have been with an iPhone or something,’ — Nouri_H_Khattab, Apple Support

If you’re in the same boat, we’ve got a few other methods for you, like Bluetooth, Google Drive, and using an SD Card.

Bluetooth :signal_strength:

If you’re all about that wireless life, Bluetooth is a pretty convenient option for transferring photos. No app installs required! But, heads up, it’s not the most reliable or fastest when it comes to large files.

Steps to Transfer Photos from Samsung to Mac via Bluetooth

  1. Enable Bluetooth on both devices.
    • Mac: Go to System Settings → Bluetooth.
    • Samsung phone: Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
  2. Pair the devices by matching the codes.
  3. On Mac: Check System Settings → Sharing and make sure Bluetooth Sharing is on.
  4. On your phone: Open Gallery, select your photos, click Share icon → Bluetooth, and select your Mac.
  5. Wait for the transfer to complete.

Note: Starting with macOS Ventura, “System Preferences” is now “System Settings.” Steps may vary slightly depending on your Samsung model.

Google Drive :rocket:

Cloud services like Google Drive make file sharing super easy and don’t need any extra apps or cables. Whether you’re on a Mac, PC, Android, or iPhone, Drive’s got you covered!

How to Transfer Pictures from Samsung to Mac via Google Drive

  1. Open Google Drive on your Samsung device.
  2. Hit the ‘+’ button, choose your pics and upload them.
  3. Open Safari (or any other browser) on your Mac.
  4. Sign in to Google Drive and download the pics.

Method 3. Directly from the SD Card :floppy_disk:

Got the right dongles and adapters? You can eject your phone’s SD card and plug it into your Mac. It will show up in Finder, ready for you to copy those pics.

How to Use the SD Card for Android-Mac Image Transfer

  1. Shut off your phone and take out the SD card.
  2. Plug the card into a USB adapter.
  3. Attach the adapter to a USB-to-Thunderbolt dongle.
  4. Plug this setup into your Mac.
  5. Use Finder to locate and transfer the photos.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask if you’ve got any more questions or tricks to share! :blush: