How to Transfer Photos from an Android to a MacBook

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Getting photos from your Android phone to your Mac can be a daunting task if you don’t know where to start. There are many reasons you may want to transfer photos to your Mac.

  • Create a backup of your pictures on your Mac.
  • Edit you pictures in an advanced editor.
  • Share your pictures on social media.
Android plugged into a mac


This guide will walk you though importing your pictures from your Android device to your Mac.

2. Import Pictures and Videos Wizard

The devices used in this guide are using the following:
• Android 8 (Oreo)
• macOS 10.13 (High Sierra)

Steps may vary if you are running different versions of Android or macOS.

From The Android Device

  1. Plug in your Android device to your computer via the supplied USB cable.
  2. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
Home screen with arrow pointing down
  1. Tap on the USB Notification at the bottom of your notifications.
Notifications with USB Mode highlighted
  1. Tap the expanded USB Notification.
Notifications with USB Mode expanded
  1. Tap on Transfer Photos (PTP).
USB Mode with Transfer Photos circle highlighted

From The Computer

  1. Click on the Spotlight icon.
Spotlight
  1. Type Image Capture in the Search bar.
Search bar highlighted
  1. Click On Image Capture.
Spotlight with Image Capture app highlighted
  1. On the left column in the Image Capture navigation pane, click on your Android device.
Example Android Device

  1. Right click on the device and click Import Pictures and videos.
Image Capture with Import Folder highlighted
  1. Select the items you wish to import to your Mac.
Image Capture with list of pictures and videos on Android device
  1. Ensure Review, organize, and group items to import is selected and hit Next.
Image Capture with import button highlighted

  1. As an alternate option, you can click Import All if you want to import all images and videos to your Mac.