Top 8 Fixes to Android File Transfer Not Recognizing Phone

Problem: Android File Transfer not recognizing phone

The Android File Transfer serves as a convenient data transfer service for Mac computers and Android devices. It enables users to easily browse files and folders on their Android devices and facilitates file copying.

However, some users are experiencing difficulties with the Android File Transfer, specifically the "Android File Transfer not recognizing" error. Despite connecting their Android device to the Mac using a USB cable, users are met with an error message indicating no Android device is available.

If you are also experiencing this problem, don't worry. There are several solutions to solve this problem. Just keep reading to learn more.

Why Android File Transfer not recognizing phone?

Identifying the precise reasons behind “Android File Transfer not recognizing phone” can be challenging. Nonetheless, the following factors may lead to the problem.

❌ It appears that the USB cable you are using to connect both devices may be damaged or not functioning properly. Additionally, it is possible that there is an issue with the USB port on your Mac.

❌ It is worth considering compatibility issues between your Mac and Android smartphone as a potential cause for the File Transfer malfunction.

❌ The presence of any other Android data transfer service, such as Samsung Smart Switch or Samsung Kies, could potentially interfere with the Android File Transfer functionality.

❌ It is important to note that pending software updates on a Mac can sometimes impact the functionality of Android File Transfer.

How to fix Android File Transfer not recognizing phone

Here are some tips you can try to troubleshoot the Android File Transfer not recognizing phone problem.

Tip 1. Unlock your Android phone

Make sure that your Android phone is not locked before attempting to transfer files. Android File Transfer is not possible on a locked phone.

Tip 2. Check the USB cable

It's possible that there is an issue with the USB cable, so Android File Transfer won’t recognize phone.

You can connect the USB cable to another computer and see if it functions correctly. If it doesn't, try using a different cable to determine if it resolves the disconnection problem. Additionally, it's essential to verify that the cable is securely connected to both devices at each end.

Tip 3. Turn on File Transfer mode

When you connect your Android phone to a USB port, it usually only charges. This applies to any USB port, whether it's on a computer or a wall charger.

To successfully transfer files between your Android device and your Mac, you'll need to activate the file transfer option on your Android device (or MTP on certain devices). This will allow you to use the Android File Transfer tool for file transfers. Follow these steps to enable file transfer if Android File Transfer does not recognize phone.

• Use a USB cable to connect your phone to your Mac. If prompted, tap "Allow".
• Swipe down from the top of your phone screen and select "USB for file transfer".
• On the USB settings page, choose "Transferring files/Android Auto".

Tip 4. Turn on USB Debugging

USB debugging is a feature in Android that grants developers access to additional functionalities that are not readily available to regular users.

If you encounter the Android phone not recognizing phone issue, it is likely that you have forgotten to enable USB debugging on your Android device.

To enable USB debugging, follow these steps:

• Open the Settings menu on your Android device.
• Navigate to the "About Phone" section and tap "Software information".
• Tap the "Build number" option 7 times until a pop-up message appears, confirming that "Developer mode has been turned on".
• Go back to the Settings menu and choose "Developer options".
• Find the "USB Debugging" setting and turn it on > Tap "OK" to confirm.

Tip 5. Restart your devices

To troubleshoot Android File Transfer Android phone won’t recognize phone problem, you can restart both devices. This simple step can often resolve temporary glitches or bugs that may be causing the problem.

Tip 6. Reinstall Android File Transfer

On occasions, there may be a temporary issue within the app, causing the Android File Transfer not recognizing phone problem.

To resolve this, the simplest approach is to reinstall the application. Start by removing Android File Transfer from your Android phone, then reinstall it from the Play Store. Once completed, log in to your account and attempt to connect it with your Mac.

Tip 7. Uninstall Other Third-Party Apps

Samsung users often encounter pre-installed apps such as Samsung Smart Switch or Samsung Kies on their devices. While these apps are designed for file transfer and management, they sometimes cause interference with the normal functioning of Android File Transfer.  If so, you can remove these potentially conflicting apps 

Tip 8. Update MacOS and Android OS

To ensure optimal performance, it is recommended to keep your Mac and Android phone up to date. This will only take a few minutes and may fix the Android File Transfer not recognizing phone problem.

Update MacOS:

• Open System Preferences on your Mac.
• Look for the "Software Update" option and click on it.
• If there is an available update, you will see an "Upgrade Now" button. Click on it to proceed with the update.

Update Android OS:

• Ensure that your Android device is connected to a Wi-Fi network.
• Go to the Settings app on your phone.
• Look for the "About Phone" section and select it.
• Find the "Software Update" option and tap on it.
• Your device will now check for any available updates. If there is an update, you will see a "Download and install" button.
• Tap "Download and install" and wait for the update to download and install. Once the installation is complete, your device will be up-to-date and ready to go.

Bonus tip: how to easily share files between Android and iPhone

As an Android user, you may also be confused about how to transfer data with your friends who are using iPhones. You just cannot share files via Bluetooth. Well, in fact, there are many apps that can help you easily share files with iPhone users, such as FoneTool for iOS. With this phone transfer, you can easily transfer photos, videos, music, contacts, and more between an Android phone and an iPhone. It is worth mentioning that no network connection is required for transmission, neither a WiFi connection nor data traffic is consumed.

You can go to the App Store and Google Play Store to get FoneTool. After that, you can open the app on both phones and start the transfer.

Step 1: Open FoneTool on both your iPhone and Android > Enable the Wi-Fi option but not connect to any Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Proceed to Connect Device > Connect to iOS to establish a secure and reliable connection.

Step 3: Head to the File Transfer section on your Android > Choose particular files (such as videos, photos, and more) for the transfer to your iPhone and click Send.

💡 More Info:

• How to Transfer Photos from Android to iPhone 
• 3 Alternatives to “AirDrop” from Android to iPhone 
• [5 Ways] How to Share Files from Android to iPhone 

Final words

When you encounter Android File Transfer not recognizing phone issue, it is likely because your phone is not set to the correct mode for file transfer. In addition, the use of faulty cables or malfunctioning USB ports can also be contributing factors. Occasionally, the presence of third-party software can disrupt the smooth functioning of the Android File Transfer application.

In short, to establish a successful connection between your devices using Android File Transfer, it is important to make sure that all settings are correct.