Question Android Transfer Doesn't Connect

[Deepgreen23]

I have an S23U with up-to-date software and a Mac Book Pro running OS Ventura 13.2.1. I have installed 'Android File Transfer' on the laptop as directed by the software but the laptop and phone will not connect, despite my switching both off and on, trying other USB-C cables, etc. Has anyone any suggestions as to why this might be, please? As things stand I can only transfer files wirelessly (and slowly) via Google Drive. Edit - I have now tried uninstalling and re-installing AFT, removing Kies and Smart Switch apps from the laptop and enabling developer status on the phone to allow USB de-bugging. Nothing has allowed the phone to be connected to the Mac Book Pro. BTW, I assume I don't need to install AFT on the phone as well, as that isn't mentioned on their site?

 

[spart0n]

When you have the usb plugged into the pc and phone do you have a notification on the phone that says something like usb connect or charging or something? If so I'd tap that notification and it opens an android setting that lets you choose what to do with that usb connection charging, file transfer, etc. Make sure that it is on file transfer. Default is charging. And if this isn't the issue then I'm no more help because i have no other ideas

 

[Deepgreen23]

When you have the usb plugged into the pc and phone do you have a notification on the phone that says something like usb connect or charging or something? If so I'd tap that notification and it opens an android setting that lets you choose what to do with that usb connection charging, file transfer, etc. Make sure that it is on file transfer. Default is charging. And if this isn't the issue then I'm no more help because i have no other ideas

Yes, all that is set correctly. Thanks for trying. I'm mystified and rather worried that I seem to be the only one experiencing this issue.

 

[spart0n]

If all else fails you could always set up a local network folder so you don't have to use gdrive so it wouldn't have to go to internet and back it would just be over your network

 

[Deepgreen23]

If all else fails you could always set up a local network folder so you don't have to use gdrive so it wouldn't have to go to internet and back it would just be over your network

OK, food for thought. I will need to seek out how to set that up. Many thanks.

 

[amirage]

I have an S23U with up-to-date software and a Mac Book Pro running OS Ventura 13.2.1. I have installed 'Android File Transfer' on the laptop as directed by the software but the laptop and phone will not connect, despite my switching both off and on, trying other USB-C cables, etc. Has anyone any suggestions as to why this might be, please? As things stand I can only transfer files wirelessly (and slowly) via Google Drive. Edit - I have now tried uninstalling and re-installing AFT, removing Kies and Smart Switch apps from the laptop and enabling developer status on the phone to allow USB de-bugging. Nothing has allowed the phone to be connected to the Mac Book Pro. BTW, I assume I don't need to install AFT on the phone as well, as that isn't mentioned on their site?

If you have gdrive syncing in the Macbook, quit it and then run the AFT. It will connect to the phone. This is a known bug in Mac OS.

 

[Deepgreen23]

If you have gdrive syncing in the Macbook, quit it and then run the AFT. It will connect to the phone. This is a known bug in Mac OS.

Thanks. I use Google Drive only for specific file transfers, not synching. I'll try closing GD down and then using AFT, but I don't have it synching.

 

[amirage]

Thanks. I use Google Drive only for specific file transfers, not synching. I'll try closing GD down and then using AFT, but I don't have it synching.

Actually, what I meant was that as long as gdrive app is opened, it will interfere with AFT.

 

[Deepgreen23]

Actually, what I meant was that as long as gdrive app is opened, it will interfere with AFT.

Right - I will shut it down and re-try - many thanks again. Watch this space!

 

[Deepgreen23]

Well, I actually removed GD from the Mac Book Pro completely and re-started - still won't connect. Can you confirm I don't need AFT on the phone as well as the laptop? I've also tried another USB cable to no avail.

 

[TheNewHEROBRINE]

Well, I actually removed GD from the Mac Book Pro completely and re-started - still won't connect. Can you confirm I don't need AFT on the phone as well as the laptop? I've also tried another USB cable to no avail.

There no AFT on the phone but I knew that Kies and Smart Switch could cause problems with AFT.

 

[Deepgreen23]

There no AFT on the phone but I knew that Kies and Smart Switch could cause problems with AFT.

Yes, I've removed both of those from the laptop and the phone has never had them. It seems hard to avoid the conclusion that Samsung have made it impossible to connect the S23U (and other S23s?) with AFT to transfer files - a commercial decision, perhaps? Looks like I'll have to go back to GD. I'm a keen photographer and have ony just taken the plunge into phone photography (I still use my proper cameras most of the time) so I use the 200mp setting a lot - hence large files and slow transfer on GD, but so be it.

 

[TheNewHEROBRINE]

Yes, I've removed both of those from the laptop and the phone has never had them. It seems hard to avoid the conclusion that Samsung have made it impossible to connect the S23U (and other S23s?) with AFT to transfer files - a commercial decision, perhaps? Looks like I'll have to go back to GD. I'm a keen photographer and have ony just taken the plunge into phone photography (I still use my proper cameras most of the time) so I use the 200mp setting a lot - hence large files and slow transfer on GD, but so be it.

You can try using adb.

 

[Deepgreen23]

You can try using adb.

Sorry, what is adb?

 

[amirage]

Yes, I've removed both of those from the laptop and the phone has never had them. It seems hard to avoid the conclusion that Samsung have made it impossible to connect the S23U (and other S23s?) with AFT to transfer files - a commercial decision, perhaps? Looks like I'll have to go back to GD. I'm a keen photographer and have ony just taken the plunge into phone photography (I still use my proper cameras most of the time) so I use the 200mp setting a lot - hence large files and slow transfer on GD, but so be it.

There's another app called openMTP. You could try that or file transfer using ADB. ADB is foolproof and will work as long as the computer recognizes your device.

 

[Deepgreen23]

Thanks for this. I looked up MTP and below is an interesting extract from the blurb - is it correct that AFT is "officially dead"? If so that would explain why I have wasted so much effort trying, but failing, to use it!

OpenMTP overview​

OpenMTP is a Free and Open-source alternative to Google's officially dead Android File Transfer app for macOS. Use OpenMTP to transfer files between macOS and Android phone using your phone's USB cable.

 

[TheNewHEROBRINE]

Thanks for this. I looked up MTP and below is an interesting extract from the blurb - is it correct that AFT is "officially dead"? If so that would explain why I have wasted so much effort trying, but failing, to use it!

OpenMTP overview​

OpenMTP is a Free and Open-source alternative to Google's officially dead Android File Transfer app for macOS. Use OpenMTP to transfer files between macOS and Android phone using your phone's USB cable.

Well, there hasn't been an official statement from Google but as far as I know AFT is not being updated anymore and left on its own.

 

[Renate]

Send me a Macbook (to keep) and I'll port my Windows AdbSync to it.

 

[Deepgreen23]

There's another app called openMTP. You could try that or file transfer using ADB. ADB is foolproof and will work as long as the computer recognizes your device.

OK, again - thank you. I have tried OpenMTP and it doesn't work, despite my having followed all the FAQs, etc. ADB is above my abilities, requiring as it does a knowledge of 'programming-speak'. Looks like I only have GD as my option - perhaps I am unusual in having an Android phone and an Apple laptop, but I wouldn't have thought it was that rare. Is it thought on this forum, I wonder, that Samsung have pulled out all the stops to make their new products as incompatible as possible with Apple's?

 

[TheMystic]

I have an S23U with up-to-date software and a Mac Book Pro running OS Ventura 13.2.1. I have installed 'Android File Transfer' on the laptop as directed by the software but the laptop and phone will not connect, despite my switching both off and on, trying other USB-C cables, etc. Has anyone any suggestions as to why this might be, please? As things stand I can only transfer files wirelessly (and slowly) via Google Drive. Edit - I have now tried uninstalling and re-installing AFT, removing Kies and Smart Switch apps from the laptop and enabling developer status on the phone to allow USB de-bugging. Nothing has allowed the phone to be connected to the Mac Book Pro. BTW, I assume I don't need to install AFT on the phone as well, as that isn't mentioned on their site?

Have you enabled Firewall on your Mac?

If so, you'll have to add this app as an exception, so your phone can communicate with it.

Alternatively, you can setup/ enable SMB service on your Mac and then connect to it using a file manager on your phone. This doesn't require internet to work. Same holds true for other file transfer protocols like SFTP, FTP, etc.

If you're not aware of these, let me know and I'll help you set it up.