Does Android File Transfer work on macOS Sonoma, Sequoia, or Tahoe?

Nobody can give you a verified yes or no, because the maker publishes nothing about it. As of 26 October 2026, Google's old address, android.com/filetransfer, opens a Quick Share for Windows page, and Google's USB help page has no Mac steps. So there is no statement from Google for macOS Sonoma, Sequoia, Tahoe, or the newest release. What you can do is test your own copy in five minutes and know what Apple says about older apps. If it fails, a maintained app is the fix.

Publisher note: The Relay publishes this guide and is one of the products discussed. Details about other products come from each maker's own pages, checked on 26 October 2026. Prices and features change, so confirm before you buy.

This page is about version numbers. For the chip question, M1 to M4 versus Intel, see Android File Transfer on Apple silicon. For the "could not connect" error, see Android File Transfer not working on Mac.

Which macOS version is which?

Apple's list of macOS versions gives the current names and latest releases as of 26 October 2026:

To see yours, open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. The version appears under the macOS name.

What does Apple say will happen to older apps?

Apple's page on Intel-based apps says "Rosetta is available for any Mac with Apple silicon using macOS 27 or earlier." It adds that starting with macOS 28, Rosetta will be available only for certain older, unmaintained games.

For an app that is not built for Apple silicon, the table of versions then reads like this. It describes Apple's statement, not a test of Android File Transfer.

On an Intel Mac, Rosetta is not part of the picture. Apple's page we read does not say which macOS versions your Intel Mac can install, so check under System Settings > General > Software Update.

How do I test my copy in five minutes?

1. Check what kind of app you have. In Finder, find Android File Transfer in Applications, press Command-I, and read Kind. Apple's page says Application (Intel) means the app is made for an Intel processor, and Application (Universal) or Application (Apple silicon) means it supports Apple silicon.
2. Open it normally. Double-click it. If macOS offers to install Rosetta, that is Apple's way of saying the app is Intel-only. If it refuses to open or asks you to override a security setting, stop there, for the reasons in is Android File Transfer safe.
3. Set the phone to file transfer. Unlock it, plug in a data cable, tap the USB notification, and choose file transfer. Menu names vary between Samsung, Pixel, and other phones; look for "File transfer" or "Transferring files".
4. Copy one large file each way. A big video is a good test. If the first file works and a longer one fails, note it.
5. Quit and repeat. Reconnect once to see whether the app still sees the phone.

If steps 2 to 5 pass, your copy works on that Mac today. It tells you nothing about the next update. If it fails, the app is not being fixed, because nobody maintains it.

Which current apps state support for recent macOS?

Each row is from the maker's own page, not a test of ours.

Neither OpenMTP's nor MacDroid's page says "Sonoma", "Sequoia", or "Tahoe" in the text we read. The statement about macOS 27 on the OpenMTP releases page is the most recent dated evidence of an app following a new macOS. For setup, see how to use OpenMTP.

Where does The Relay fit?

The Relay does not depend on a cable or on the old MTP route, so a macOS update does not bring up the same question. It needs macOS 13 Ventura or later and Android 8.0 or later, which covers Sonoma, Sequoia, Tahoe, and 27 on the versions Apple lists above. It pairs by a QR code shown on the Mac, browses the phone's storage from a Mac window, and moves files either way over your Wi-Fi network, with Bluetooth as a fallback. It has no USB mode and it is not free: it is one subscription through Google Play that covers your phone and your Mac, with a 7-day free trial. You can read the requirements at the download page before you try it.

Questions people ask

Does Android File Transfer work on macOS Sequoia?

We cannot say. Google gives no statement, and we have not tested it. Use the five-minute test above on your Mac and trust what happens there.

Does Android File Transfer work on macOS Tahoe?

The same applies. If your copy is an Intel app, Apple's page says Rosetta is available through macOS 27 on Apple silicon Macs.

Will Android File Transfer work on macOS 28?

Per Apple's page, on Apple silicon Macs Rosetta is limited to older unmaintained games from macOS 28. An Intel-only utility is not in that group, so plan to replace it before you upgrade.

What should I use on macOS Sonoma?

Use a maintained app. OpenMTP lists macOS 10.14 or higher, which includes Sonoma 14, and MacDroid lists 11.5 or newer.