Android tablets and Macs don't connect easily. macOS has no native MTP support, Google's Android File Transfer app is discontinued, and neither AirDrop nor Quick Share crosses between them. Yet many people use a Galaxy Tab or Lenovo tablet for drawing, reading or note-taking, and want the results on their Mac: illustrations for Photoshop or Affinity, PDF notes, screen recordings, or photos. Sendryo connects Chrome or Samsung Internet on the tablet to Safari, Chrome or Firefox on the Mac. Pick files on the tablet, share the code, and they land in the Mac's Downloads folder unchanged.
How to transfer files from Android tablet to Mac, step by step
- Open Sendryo on your Android tablet. Open Chrome or Samsung Internet and go to sendryo.com, or scan the QR code shown on the other device with the camera.
- Add the files you want to send. Tap the add-files area to open Android's picker and choose from Photos, Downloads, internal storage or a microSD card; on Samsung DeX or a split screen you can also drag files from My Files.
- Tap “Get share code”. You’ll see a 6-digit code, a link and a QR code. Keep this page open during the transfer.
- Open Sendryo on your Mac and enter the code. Open Safari or any browser and go to sendryo.com; you can add it to the Dock as a web app from Safari's File menu if you use it often. Switch to Receive and type the code, or open the link.
- Save the files on your Mac. The browser saves each file to your download folder; Safari may ask once whether to allow downloads from the site, which you should allow.
Other ways to move files from Android Tablet to Mac
| Method | How it works | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| USB with a third-party MTP app | Connect the tablet and use a tool such as OpenMTP to copy files. | macOS has no built-in MTP support, so you need extra software. |
| Google Drive | Upload from the tablet and download on the Mac. | Large files take a long time to upload and download. |
| microSD card | Copy files to a microSD card on the tablet and read it with a card reader on the Mac. | Needs a tablet with a card slot and a card reader for the Mac. |
| Sendryo | Open the site on both devices and enter a 6‑digit code; files stream directly, encrypted. | Both devices must be online with the page open until the transfer finishes. |
If your tablet has a microSD slot and you have a reader, a card is great for moving large batches offline. For files already in Google Drive, just download them on the Mac.
Tips for a smooth transfer
- Tablets are great receivers for big video files; if yours has a microSD slot, consider moving large downloads there afterwards.
- Keep the tablet on charge and the browser tab open during long transfers, since some tablets suspend background tabs to save power.
- Turn on Settings › Battery › Options › 'Prevent automatic sleeping on power adapter' or keep the lid open so a long transfer is not interrupted.
- If Safari renames duplicate downloads, sort Downloads by Date Added to find the newest files quickly.
- On the same Wi‑Fi network, transfers are usually fastest. See why transfers can be slow.
Browsers that work
Android tablet: Chrome works best; Samsung Internet on Galaxy Tabs, Firefox and Edge also work well.
Mac: Safari, Chrome, Edge and Firefox all work; Chrome or Edge are a good pick for transfers of tens of gigabytes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send drawings from my tablet to Affinity or Photoshop on Mac?
Yes. Export as PSD, PNG or JPG from your drawing app, then send with Sendryo. Layered PSD files arrive unchanged, so the Mac app can open the layers as exported. Nothing is compressed in transfer. For very large layered files, put both devices on the same Wi-Fi so the transfer can use the local route.
Why can't my Mac see the tablet over USB?
macOS doesn't support MTP, which Android uses for file transfer, and Google's Android File Transfer app is discontinued. Third-party tools can fill the gap, or you can skip the cable by using Sendryo in both browsers. No cable or driver is needed, and the Mac doesn't need any software beyond its browser.
Can the Mac send files back to the tablet?
Yes. Once connected, either side can send files or text, so you can send edited files back without starting a new session. Keep both browser tabs open until each transfer completes. This makes it easy to review a drawing on the Mac's bigger screen and return a corrected version to the tablet for more work. Text and links can be exchanged the same way.
Is there a file size limit from Android Tablet to Mac?
Sendryo doesn’t set a size limit. Files stream directly to the Mac, so the practical limit is its free storage. For files of many gigabytes, keep both screens on and both devices charged.
Is it free and private?
Yes. Sendryo is free, needs no account, and files travel directly between your devices with end-to-end encryption. They are never uploaded to or stored on our servers.