No Android Device Found - Android File Transfer for Mac Issue

Why Android File Transfer Keep Saying No Android Device Found?

Android File Transfer is commonly used to transfer files from Android to Mac. However, you may encounter the problem of no Android device found when transferring Android files. Why is this so?

In fact, the problem of Android File Transfer not working properly is a very common situation. Apart from this issue, you may also encounter a " Not Recognizing Phone" error. The following are common causes of unresponsive Android File Transfers on Mac:

 USB connection errors: A defective USB cable or a damaged Mac USB port could be the culprit.

 USB transfer mode setting: File transfer is not enabled on your Android phone.

 USB Debugging setting: USB debugging is not turned on.

 Software compatibility problems: Third-party software may disrupt normal operation.

Android OS and MacOS issues: The system of your Android phone and Mac may not be the latest version.

How to Fix No Android Device Found Issue - 7 Fixes

Now that you know some of the main causes of Android File Transfer not working issues, it’s time to fix the problem. The following article provides 6 methods, let’s take a look.

Fix 1. Check the USB Cable

Once you find the “Android File Transfer Mac no Android device found” issue, the easiest solution is to check your USB connection. If the USB cable is damaged, you will not be able to connect your Mac and Android device properly, because it will prevent data transfer.

Therefore, be sure to use the original USB cable or a compatible USB cable to establish the connection between your Mac and Android. If your USB cable is damaged or incompatible with your devices, replace it as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can confirm if the USB cable is working properly by following these simple steps:

Step 1. On your Mac, tap on the Apple Logo on the screen > Go to About This Mac.

Step 2. Click Overview > Select System Report > Go to Hardware > Tap USB option.

Step 3. Under the USB Device Tree, you can find there is a list of devices connected to the USB 3.0 Bus. Once your Android device's identifier (usually the device's model number) is displayed, the hardware connection has been established. If the Android device identifier is not displayed, please replace the USB cable and USB interface and reopen the system report.

Fix 2. Enable the Use USB for Files Transfers

After connecting your Android phone to your Mac computer, you can choose to set the Android device into charge-only mode, file transfer mode, or set up as a media device (MTP). To ensure a successful connection between your Android device and Mac, you need to enable the file transfer option on your Android device: Click on the USB connection option in the notification bar > Click on the "File Transfer" option.

It will then enable file transfer options on your device. If there is still no Android device found, you can read on to the methods below.

Fix 3. Turn on the USB Debugging

Another cause of Android File Transfer Mac no device found error is not enabling USB debugging. If USB debugging is not enabled, your device will not be recognized by the computer. Here's how to turn on USB debugging for most Android phones:

Step 1. Go to Settings > Tap About Phone > Select Software information.

Step 2. Click Build number about 7 times > After that you can see a prompt shows Developer mode has been turned on.

Step 3. Then go back to settings > Select Developer options.

Step 4. In the list of options, locate and toggle the USB debugging option to turn it on.

Step 5. Choose OK to allow the USB debugging to take place when you see the message.

Now that your Android device has USB debugging enabled, your computer should be able to recognize your device and transfer files.

Fix 4. Restart Your Mac

Restarting your device is a simple troubleshooting step worth trying. It can help refresh system processes and clear up any temporary glitches that may be affecting the connection between your Mac and Android device. Once your Mac restarts, try connecting your Android device again and check if it is recognized by the system.

Fix 5. Reinstall Android File Transfer

If Android File Transfer cannot detect your Android device even after reinstalling Android File Transfer, you can check whether the program was installed correctly and make sure it is the latest version. If not, you need to update or try reinstalling your file transfer program.

Reinstalling Android File Transfer can help resolve any issues related to corrupted or outdated software. It ensures you have the latest version of the software installed and is compatible with your Mac and Android devices.

Fix 6. Update Your macOS and Android OS

Running the Android File Transfer application requires Android 3.0 or above and macOS 10.7 or above. You need to check and update your macOS and Android operating systems to ensure you have the latest bug fixes, security patches and compatibility improvements, and to improve the overall performance of your device.

To resolve the Android File Transfer says no device found issue, here are the steps to update your Android operating system and macOS:

How to update Android OS:

Step 1. Enable your Android phone is connected to a Wi-Fi Network.

Step 2. Open the Settings app > Locate About Phone > Tap Software Update.

Step 3. Click Download and Install > Wait for the device to check for updates. If there is an update > Tap on Install now.

How to update macOS:

Step 1. Navigate to System Preferences > Click Software Update.

Step 2. If you see an update is available, tap Upgrade Now.

Fix7. Use Android File Transfer Alternatives

If Android File Transfer still doesn't work, or you want to avoid this question later, you can consider using Android File Transfer Alternatives for Mac. Such as some free third-party file transfer apps like MacDroid, HandShaker, or OpenMTP.

Bonus Tip: Transfer Android Data Easily and Quickly

By trying the different methods above, you already know how to fix Android File Transfer app issues. If you want to learn more about Android transfer methods, then we will introduce you to a professional file transfer app between Android and iOS systems.

This app is called FoneTool, it provides a user-friendly interface and a fast transfer speed. Without USB, you can wirelessly transfer data from Android to iOS devices, from Android to Android, also include send files from iOS devices to iOS devices. This way you can also avoid the problem of file transfer failure due to USB connection.

FoneTool supports you in transferring videos, photos, music, contacts, and other Files. Below we take transfer photos as an example, you can follow the steps to learn how to send Android files to an iOS device (iPhone/iPad/iPod).

Step 1. Download and install FoenTool on both your Android phone and iPhone.

Step 2. Once you finished the installation, go to FoneTool on both devices > Open the WLAN without any need to connect to a Wi-Fi.

Step 3. Click Connect Device on either device > On the Android phone, tap Connect to iOS, and you can see a QR code > On your iPhone, choose Connect to Android, and use the iPhone to scan the QR code.

Step 4. After you established the connection, go to File Transfer on the Android > Click Photos > Preview and select the photos you’d like to transfer > Tap Send.

Step 5. Finally, on your iPhone, tap Confirm to receive the Android files.

Conclusion

That’s all about how to fix no Android device found when you use Android File Transfer on Mac. This article provides 7 effective solutions, you can try these fixes one by one or pick the way you like. Whatever method you choose, I hope you succeed in solving your problem.

By the way, if you want to implement more Android File Transfer methods, FoneTool is a multi-functional mobile app worth trying. Download it and find more!