A Simple Way to Connect Pixel to Mac

Using a Pixel phone with a Mac computer doesn't have to be a hassle. If you're accustomed to the error messages from Android File Transfer, consider upgrading to an app that enables you to connect Pixel to Mac without any barriers.

MacDroid is a lightweight app with an intuitive interface that makes connecting Android phones to Mac easy. Instantly transfer photos, music, and entire folders of data between your macOS computer and your Pixel phone with just a USB cable when you download MacDroid.

Download Free7-day free PRO trial is available

Subscribe to PRO For just $1.67 per month*

Available for both Apple silicon and

Requires macOS 10.13 or newer; compatible with all Android and MTP devices
*$19.99 per year. Billed annually (auto-renewal). This option includes no trial period.

As you can see, MacDroid is a really fast way to connect Android to Mac in a minute.

Follow these easy steps to connect Pixel to Mac via MacDroid

Using an Android phone with a Mac or MacBook doesn't have to be complicated. The MacDroid app makes it easy to sync Google Pixel to macOS. You can download photos from your phone and transfer music from Mac to Pixel right in the Finder window. Follow these simple steps to connect Pixel to Mac with MacDroid instantly:

1

In a nutshell, use a USB cable to set up a connection between your gadgets.

Download and install MacDroid onto your computer. Connect Pixel to Mac using a USB cable.

2

The second step is to allow your Mac to access the device.

Open the MacDroid app and navigate to "Devices" in the main menu; your Pixel phone will appear in the list on the left. If prompted on your phone, grant your Mac access to the Pixel device.

3

The full access to your Android phone allows editing data right from Mac Finder.

You must select a connection method between the phone and computer: ADB or MTP. Find your device in the Finder window and transfer files, photos, music, and more!

Got some questions? Watch the video tutorial Watch the video tutorial

1

2

Then you can perform Android data transfer to Mac and vise versa using MacDroid.

3

Improve workflow by mounting Pixel as a disk on your Mac

Mount both the internal and external storage of your Pixel.
As a disk, you can edit files on your Pixel without first copying them to your Mac.
Mounting Pixel as a disk is easy and only requires the MacDroid app and a USB cord.
You can mount any MTP device as a disk on your Mac by using MacDroid.

Transfer photos from Google Pixel to Mac

Android phones have powerful cameras capable of taking incredible pictures. Still, without an easy way to connect a Pixel to Mac, those pictures can spend months or years taking up storage space. Use MacDroid to transfer recent photos or edit them for social media and sharing while they're still on your phone.

Transfer files of entire folders in an instant

Use your Pixel phone as an external storage drive for work or school. You can improve your workflow by instantly transferring entire folders between your phone and your computer. You'll always have the current documents close at hand and can make quick edits of documents on your phone.

Never get bored during long waits again

Download movies and episodes of your favorite TV show on your computer, then use MacDroid to transfer them to your Pixel phone. You can also transfer music from Mac to Pixel using MacDroid. That way, you can catch up on your latest binge or listen to new albums without using your phone's data – you can even leave your phone in Airplane mode while you watch.

Leave files on your phone for direct editing

When working on a project, rote tasks like moving files from your Google Pixel to your Mac and back can seriously disrupt your workflow. With MacDroid, it's easy to mount your Android devices as disks on your Mac so you can edit and save your files directly where they're stored on your Pixel.

Always have the latest music downloaded on your phone

Don't let Wi-Fi access be a factor in whether you can enjoy music. With impressive storage capabilities, you can load days worth of music onto your Pixel phone. Whether you listen by album or playlist, you can drag and drop entire music folders onto your phone using MacDroid.

Get the same seamless support for every MTP device you own

MacDroid works with any Android device, including phones, music players, e-readers, and tablets. All you need is to download and install the app, and you can sync any device you have, mount it as a disk, and quickly edit and transfer files.

These use cases show that MacDroid is the ultimate utility to transfer Android data to Mac and vise versa.

Is MacDroid better than Android File Transfer?

Google provides Android File Transfer, a native app for Mac users to sync their MTP devices. However, the app doesn't receive regular updates from developers, so its performance can be buggy and unpredictable.

You may have received the common "Android File Transfer Not Working" error message if you've tried to use Android File Transfer to connect your Pixel phone to your Mac.

Multi-Operation Mode ADB

Experience the fastest way to transfer files, photos, and music when you use the recommended multi-operation mode of ADB. MacDroid's intuitive interface makes it easy to choose how to connect Pixel to Mac.

Learn more

Multi-Operation Mode ADB

Experience the fastest way to transfer files, photos, and music when you use the recommended multi-operation mode of ADB. MacDroid's intuitive interface makes it easy to choose how to connect Pixel to Mac.

Learn more

Single-Operation Mode MTP

You can instantly access files, photos, and music stored on an MTP device using MacDroid. Just connect the Android device to your computer with a USB cable and select MTP mode in the MacDroid menu. It's easy, intuitive, and will speed up your workflow.

Learn more

Single-Operation Mode MTP

You can instantly access files, photos, and music stored on an MTP device using MacDroid. Just connect the Android device to your computer with a USB cable and select MTP mode in the MacDroid menu. It's easy, intuitive, and will speed up your workflow.

Learn more

The message usually indicates one of these problems:

The file transfer option on your phone isn't enabled
Android OS isn't the latest version
macOS isn't the newest version
Third-party apps are blocking the file transfer
USB debugging isn't enabled on Pixel

When you receive an error message every time you try to use Android File Transfer, it can consume a lot of your time troubleshooting every possible source of the error message. Instead, using MacDroid lets you instantly backup Google Pixel to Mac, error-free.

Even when Android File Transfer works properly, MacDroid still provides additional benefits for Pixel owners, including:

Mounting any MTP device as a disk in Finder
Transfer entire folders of files, music, and photos by dragging and dropping
Mount both your Pixel's internal and external storage as disk drives
Edit photos and documents without moving them off your phone
Instant connection with just a USB cable

Don't settle for the hassle and frustration of troubleshooting errors from Android File Transfer. Use the reliable, lightweight MacDroid app to connect Pixel to Mac.

What others say

I love what this little app does. It is fast enough and finally lets me connect my Mac and Android as if they had the same operating system.

Irving Miller 4.5

Couldn't be happier. I can manage my files on Android straight in my Finder and edit photographs on Mac without actually saving them on Mac.

Lizzie Plummer 5

Needed to save my whole Android photo gallery on Mac, and the best solution I found was MacDroid. Moreover, it did what I needed for free! Thanks for saving my time!

Janine Avery 4.9

The only problem I always had with Mac and Android combo is not being able to transfer data between these devices fast enough. Thanks MacDroid for filling this gap.

Brian Park 5

Overall rating 4.5

based on 56 reviews

MacDroid supports all the latest Pixel models

Even if you upgrade your phone every year, MacDroid will continue to support the latest Pixel models. With regular updates from developers, all the newest models of Android phones will still sync instantly for fast and easy transfers of files, photos, and music. Experience the latest Google phone capabilities with a yearly upgrade and always be able to connect Pixel to Mac. MacDroid supports the latest models, including:

Pixel 6
Pixel 6 Pro
Pixel 5
Pixel 5a
Pixel 4
Pixel 4a
Pixel 4 XL

Android smartphones

FAQ

How do I connect Pixel to my Mac?

You need an app to connect your Pixel phone to your Mac to transfer files, photos, and music. The most reliable app when you need to make an Android phone connection to Mac is MacDroid. Once you download and install MacDroid, you can connect Pixel to Mac instantly.

Use a USB cable to connect your Pixel phone to your Mac
Set MacDroid to ADB and your phone to "File Transfer" if prompted
Select "Mount" in MacDroid, and your Pixel phone will appear in the Finder window

Use Finder to navigate through your Pixel phone.

How do I transfer files from Google Pixel to MacBook?

It's easy to transfer files between your Google Pixel to MacBook using MacDroid for any Mac to Android file transfer. Once you install MacDroid on macOS, mount any MTP device as a disk drive on your computer, and then use your Finder window for easy drag-and-drop file transfers.

MacDroid

Access Android from Mac and manage data between devices

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Transfer files from Android to Mac.

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PRO

Transfer files between Android and Mac in both directions.

$1.67per month*

*$19.99/year. Billed annually (auto-renewal)

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Subscription details

Requires macOS 10.13 or newer, compatible with any Android and MTP devices

4.5 overall rank
(Learn more)

Version 1.8.160,
released on 25 August, 2023

Do you offer a free trial?

Yes, we do. It is offered when you download free MacDroid and then activate MacDroid PRO for the first time. At the time you will be asked to enter your payment details. You are not charged at that moment - your free 7-day trial begins, during which you get to fully test the product and its PRO features and cancel your subscription at no charge if you feel like the product is not going to work for you.

How will I be billed?

After the free 7-day trial, your billing year begins and your payment method will be automatically charged for $19.99. MacDroid PRO is offered as an annual subscription with auto-renewal. So you’ll be billed automatically at the beginning of each billing year.

On how many Macs can I use my MacDroid subscription?

MacDroid PRO subscription can be used on up to 5 Macs you own (you won’t be charged additionally for installing MacDroid PRO on each of these Macs).

The number of Android and MTP devices you connect and transfer data to or from is not limited.

How can I cancel my subscription?

To cancel your subscription or change payment details just contact our team at support@electronic.us and they will assist.

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Connect Pixel to Mac