The Simple Way To Transfer Files From Android To Your Mac: No, this isn’t a secret setting hidden on your phone. It’s NearDrop, a free little app that brings AirDrop-like convenience to Android and macOS. With it, you can send files wirelessly over Wi-Fi from your Android phone straight into your Mac’s Downloads folder. No cables, no cloud services, just quick transfers.
Once you set it up, NearDrop becomes a fast and reliable way to move photos, documents, or anything else between your devices.
How to Set It Up on Your Mac
Getting started takes only a few steps:
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Go to the NearDrop project page on GitHub.
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Under “Releases,” download the latest version.
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Unzip the file and drag NearDrop into your Applications folder.
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Open the app. You’ll probably see a warning that it’s from an unidentified developer.
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To allow it, head to System Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll down, and approve the app.
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Reopen NearDrop and look for its icon in your Mac’s menu bar.
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Make sure Do Not Disturb is off and notifications are enabled so you can accept incoming files.
Now your Mac is ready to receive transfers from your Android phone.
Transfer Files From Android To Your Mac
On your Android device, pick the file you want to send, like a photo or document. Tap the Share icon and choose Quick Share. As long as your Mac and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, your Mac should show up as an option.
When a notification appears on your Mac, just click to accept. The file will drop into your Downloads folder, ready to use. It really is that simple.
Things to Keep in Mind
NearDrop is impressive, but it’s not perfect. You can’t limit visibility to specific contacts, so the app is either on or off. And each transfer has to be accepted manually.
Still, for a free tool that mirrors one of the best iOS features, it does the job really well. Whether you’re moving work documents, sharing photos, or just tired of emailing files to yourself, NearDrop makes life a lot easier.
If you’ve ever wished Android had Apple’s smooth handoff between devices, this app gives you a taste of that magic. No green bubbles involved.
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