How to Transfer Files from Android to Mac with Quick Share
Google now supports native Quick Share-to-AirDrop sharing on select Android devices. Check Google's current Quick Share compatibility guide. Nearby Drop is a separate macOS menu bar client for Android Quick Share and includes USB MTP file browsing; it can be useful when native interoperability is unavailable or when you want the Mac-side app workflow.
This guide covers wireless Quick Share on a reachable local network and a direct USB MTP connection. Transfer speed depends on the devices and network or cable. Android-generated QR receiving on Mac passed with a Pixel 8 Pro during v2.3.2 validation and is included in the current release.
Nearby Drop is free to download and distributed under a proprietary license. It is independent and is not affiliated with Google or Apple.
Wireless transfer with Quick Share
On an Android device that supports Quick Share, select files and look for Nearby Drop in the device list while the Mac app is running. The Mac and phone need a reachable local network; discovery can vary with router and hotspot settings.
Download the universal installer DMG from GitHub Releases and drag Nearby Drop into your /Applications folder:
Connect the Mac and phone to the same local Wi-Fi network and allow local network access when macOS asks. LTE-only phone-hotspot discovery has not been verified and may not show the Mac; use a shared Wi-Fi network or USB MTP if discovery fails.
- Open your phone's Gallery or Files app and select the photos, 4K videos, or folders you wish to send.
- Tap the Share button and choose Quick Share.
- If Nearby Drop appears in the device list, select it. If it does not, check local network permissions and the troubleshooting guide.
Nearby Drop shows the incoming transfer request and matching confirmation PIN. Review it and click Accept. Received files are saved to your Downloads folder. Actual speed depends on the devices and network.
Android-to-Mac QR receiving
Android-to-Mac QR receiving passed in a physical Pixel 8 Pro test during v2.3.2 validation, and the fix is included in the current release. The ordinary Quick Share device list and USB MTP are also available. Nearby Drop's separate Mac-generated QR send flow is intended for Mac-to-Android sharing.
Direct USB-C Cable (Hardware MTP Storage Manager)
USB MTP is an alternative when wireless discovery is unavailable or you prefer a cable:
- Connect your phone to your Mac using a USB-C to USB-C data cable.
- On your phone, unlock the screen and set the USB notification mode to File Transfer / MTP.
- Open Nearby Drop's USB tab to browse phone storage and copy files to Finder. Speed depends on the phone, cable, and storage.
Wireless transfers use the UKEY2 pairing handshake and a local network connection; USB transfers use the cable. Nearby Drop does not use a cloud relay for file contents. Review the repository's privacy and security notes for implementation details.
Get Nearby Drop for macOS
Free to download for macOS 14 or later on Apple silicon and Intel. Quick Share compatibility can vary by Android device and network.