How to Transfer Photos From Samsung to Mac [5 Easy Methods for 2025]

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Steps to Transfer Photos from Samsung to Mac via MobileTrans:

1. First, install MobileTrans.

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1. Connect your Samsung phone to the Mac using a USB cable. Then click Phone Transfer > Export to Computer.

3. Click "Photos" and select the pictures you wish to transfer from Samsung to Mac.
4. Click on the "Export" option at the bottom to begin the photo transfer process.

Pros:

• This data transfer method requires no internet connection.
• It is fast and does not affect data quality.

Cons:

• You need to install this tool first.

Method 2: How To Transfer Photos From Samsung to Mac via Android File Transfer

While MobileTrans helps quickly transfer photos from Samsung to Mac, you can also use Android File Transfer. To use this transferring method, all you need is a working USB cable. It's a safe application that you can use without any worry.

Transfer Photos from Samsung to Mac via Android File Transfer:

1. Install this app on your Mac. Then drag the installed file into "Application."
2. Launch the app by clicking "Get Started."
3. Next, connect your phone to the Mac.
4. Look for the image file folders named "DCIM" or "Pictures" from your Samsung device on the Mac.
5. Select the photos, then drag them to any of your preferred folders on the Mac.

Pros:

• Android File Transfer has impressive speed.
• It supports macOS 10.7 and higher.
• This app is developed by Google.

Cons:

• This application is not easy to use.
• The app might get disconnected in between the file transfer process.

Method 3: Import Photos to Mac using Samsung Smart Switch

You can use Smart Switch, an application by Samsung to transfer photos or any data from one device to another.

Besides transferring data to a Samsung phone, Smart Switch allows you to back up your Samsung devices to a computer quickly. However, you can not view the photos on your Macbook.

Transfer Photos from Samsung to Mac via Smart Switch:

1. Download and install Samsung Smart Switch for Mac from Samsung's official site.
2. Connect your Samsung phone to your Mac using a USB cable.
3. Open Smart Switch on your Mac.
4. Click Backup and select Photos to transfer.
5. Wait for the process to complete, and your photos will be saved on your Mac’s storage.

Pros:

• Easy and automated backup.
• Transfers more than just photos (contacts, messages, etc.).

Cons:

• Requires Samsung Smart Switch installation.

Method 4: How To Transfer Pictures From Samsung to Mac via Google Drive

If you don't want to use any additional app or cable to transfer photos from Samsung to Mac, you can use Google Drive. The best thing about this method is that you can easily share photos between any device compatible with Wi-Fi.

You can use the additional cloud storage service of Google Drive to upload photos in no time easily. Plus, you can access Google Drive accounts directly from your Mac without any third-party app.

Transfer Photos from Samsung to Mac via Google Drive:

1. To transfer photos to your Mac using Google Drive, you first need to open this app on your Samsung device.
2. Then click the "+" sign to add the pictures you wish to transfer.
3. Next, open Safari or any other browser on your Mac.
4. Sign in to your Google Drive using the same Google account id.
5. Download the pictures to your Mac.

Pros:

• Unlike other photo-transferring methods, Google Drive doesn't need to install any additional app.
• It's a wireless photo transfer method.

Cons:

• This method is a bit complicated compared to other photo transfer methods.

Method 5: Wireless Transfer from Samsung to MacBook via Bluetooth

One of the easiest ways to transfer photos from Samsung to Mac is via Bluetooth. This wireless transferring technology does not require you to use any third-party application.

Transfer Photos from Samsung to Mac via Bluetooth:

1. Enable Bluetooth on both your Samsung phone and Mac.
2. Pair your devices:
• On Mac, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth.
• On Samsung, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth and pair with your Mac.
3. Open the Gallery on your phone, select photos, tap Share, and choose Bluetooth.
4. Accept the transfer request on your Mac.

Pros:

• No USB or apps needed.

Cons:

• Slow transfer speed (not ideal for large files).

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

1. Why is Android File Transfer not working on my Mac?

Analysis:

On macOS 13 (Ventura) and later, stricter security and USB driver changes often prevent Android File Transfer (AFT) from communicating with Android devices. Additionally, AFT is no longer actively maintained, making it incompatible with new macOS versions and Samsung’s updated MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) implementation.

Step-by-Step Fix:

• On your Samsung device, unlock it and select “File Transfer (MTP)” mode when connecting via USB.
• Restart both your Mac and phone, then reconnect using the original Samsung USB-C cable.
• If AFT still fails, install Samsung Smart Switch for Mac (Samsung’s official tool) to handle file transfers.

Caution:

• AFT frequently crashes on macOS Ventura/Sonoma and may never be updated.
• Using unofficial third-party apps can work, but they carry security and stability risks. Prefer Samsung’s official Smart Switch for reliable support.

2. What to do if my Mac doesn't recognize my Samsung phone?

Analysis:

Recognition issues usually stem from macOS not loading the proper MTP drivers, faulty cables, or the phone being locked or set to the wrong USB mode. Unlike iOS, macOS doesn’t natively support MTP, so the device won’t appear in Finder without Samsung’s software.

Step-by-Step Fix:

• Use the original Samsung USB-C or USB-C to USB-A cable; avoid hubs or adapters when possible.
• On your phone, unlock it and set USB mode to “File Transfer” under the charging options.
• Install and launch Samsung Smart Switch for Mac to establish the device connection.

Caution:

• Cheap third-party cables may only support charging, not data transfer.
• Some older Samsung models may not be recognized if running outdated Android versions; update both macOS and Android to the latest versions.

3. How to transfer thousands of photos without the process crashing?

Analysis:

Large bulk transfers can overwhelm Android File Transfer due to its 4 GB file-size and 4,000-file folder limitations. macOS may also drop the MTP connection during long sessions. This makes AFT unsuitable for handling thousands of media files at once.

Step-by-Step Fix:

• Use Samsung Smart Switch to transfer entire media libraries in batches.
• Alternatively, use Google Photos sync (upload from phone, then download via web on Mac).
• If transferring via USB, split photos into smaller folders (e.g., 500–800 files per batch).

Caution:

• Transferring very large volumes at once can cause data corruption if the process is interrupted.
• Wireless/cloud transfer may consume significant bandwidth and time depending on your internet speed.

4. Are my photos losing quality during the transfer?

Analysis:

When using USB file transfer (MTP), photos remain in their original format and resolution (e.g., JPEG, HEIC). Quality loss typically occurs only if the images are synced through compressed services (e.g., WhatsApp backups, Google Photos set to “Storage Saver”).

Step-by-Step Fix:

• Transfer via USB (MTP mode) using Samsung Smart Switch or manual file copy to preserve original quality.
• If using cloud services, enable “Original Quality” in Google Photos or Samsung Cloud settings.
• Verify the file size on both devices to ensure the transfer did not compress the media.

Caution:

• AirDrop-like wireless tools (e.g., email, messaging apps) often downscale images automatically.
• HEIC files may appear lower-quality on macOS Preview due to rendering differences but remain uncompressed.

5. Why won’t my Mac detect my Samsung phone?

Fix:

1. Try a different USB cable/port.

2. On Samsung, change USB mode to "File Transfer (MTP)".

3. Restart both devices.

💡 Still not working? Install MobileTrans for better compatibility.

6. How to transfer HEIC/Live Photos from Samsung to Mac?

1. On Samsung, disable HEIC format (Settings > Camera > Save options > JPEG).

2. Use Smart Switch or Google Photos to preserve Live Photos.

⚠️ Note: Macs support HEIC, but some apps don’t.

7. Where do transferred photos save on my Mac?

1. Default location: Downloads folder (or wherever you drag them).

2. To auto-organize: Use Photos app > Import.

The Closing Thoughts

You can select any of the mentioned methods to transfer your photos from Samsung to Mac quickly. But we suggest giving MobileTrans a try first. Along with photos, you can also transfer videos, music, and apps to your Macbook via MobileTrans.

MobileTrans

Transfer phone data seamlessly

Available on:

Scan Now

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Scan Now

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Transfer phone data seamlessly