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MacDroid short-guide series

How to fix when your phone won't connect to computer

If you're having trouble connecting your phone to the computer, it's a widespread problem that can be fixed in just a few minutes. Incorrect connection mode, faulty USB cable or outdated drivers are the most common reasons why your computer can’t detect the phone. Luckily, there are quite a lot of steps you can follow to fix Android File Transfer not working issues and today we will walk through them. Let's check out why your phone won’t connect to computer.

Best ways to fix when your Android phone won't connect to computer


Solutions for Mac OS

Although Android and Mac are different systems, connecting them is easy.


Nothing is more frustrating to find that your Android phone is not recognized when you want to move files between phone and Mac. Please check the following solutions to fix Android phone won't connect to computer.


1. Enable File Transfer on your phone

Generally, when you connect your Android device to the computer via a USB cable, your phone starts charging. To move files between your phone and computer, you need to put your phone in the “File Transfer” mode. Once you change the connection mode on your phone, the ”phone won't connect to computer via USB” problem will be fixed. Here's how to do it:

  1. Open Android File Transfer on your Mac.
  2. Plug your phone into your computer with a USB cable.
  3. Unlock your Android device and pull down the notification bar to see an Android system entry. Go to the USB Preferences page by clicking on the connection mode item.
  4. Select File Transfer from the options.
  5. An Android File Transfer window will then open on your computer, allowing you to drag and drop files between your devices.

2. Use MacDroid

If “File Transfer” mode is enabled on your phone but the problem still exists, you can try using a different app. The application you are using may be outdated, as a result, you will get error messages on your Mac. Instead, try an alternative.


The best way to connect Android phone to Mac is MacDroid.


MacDroid is a great solution when it comes to transferring files between Android and Mac. You can use it to transfer videos, photos, music and entire folders simply by connecting your Android and Mac using a USB cable, or even wirelessly. Furthermore, MacDroid supports all Android and MTP devices.

To transfer files from Android to Mac using MacDroid, follow the step-by-step guide below:

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First download MacDroid and install it on your Mac.

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Open MacDroid. Connect your Android device to Mac using a USB cable, or if you prefer a wireless connection, proceed to the next step.
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Select either MTP, ADB, or Wi-Fi mode. In this guide, we will look at how to connect with MTP mode.

There are several modes and you can choose the one that suits you best
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On your Android device, enable “File Transfer” mode. Once done, you will see your phone under the “Device list” on your Mac.

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Now, when your device is mounted in MTP mode, open Finder on your Mac and select your Android.

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All done! You can start transferring your files and folders. Just copy and paste or drag and drop files to your Mac.


3. Update your software

If you haven't updated your devices for a long time, you may run into “computer won't connect to phone” issues. Therefore, check whether your Mac is updated to the latest operating system. If no, do the following:

  1. Navigate “About This Mac” by clicking on the Apple logo at the top-left corner.
  2. Click on the “Software Update” button.
  3. If there is a macOS update, download and install it on your Mac.


4. Uninstall other Android connectivity tools

Some phone manufacturers come with official connectivity software. For example, Samsung offers its users Samsung Kies and Smart Switch apps. Sometimes, these apps can prevent your Android from connecting with Mac. If you have these tools installed on your Mac, uninstall them. Go to settings > applications, find the app and select “Uninstall”.



5. Alternatively, connect your phone to Mac with a different USB cable to see whether the computer detects your device. You can also try a wireless connection in the MacDroid app.

If your phone won't connect to computer, USB port and USB cable you are using may be defective or damaged. Insert a USB cable into another USB port on your computer and check if your phone connects. Alternatively, connect your phone to Mac with a different USB cable to see whether the computer detects your device.


Solutions for Windows


Solutions for Mac OS, also can help for devices on Windows.


1. Update the MTP USB Drivers on Your Computer

If you are using Windows and find an Android phone won’t connect, it can be due to driver issues. If drivers are outdated, try to update them using the Device Manager:

  1. Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable.
  2. Right-click the Windows icon or press Win + X and select Device Manager.
  3. Select “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer”. You will see the list with installed driver software compatible with your device.
  4. Next, choose “MTP USB Device” and click “Next”.

2. Run Windows Device Troubleshooter

Still can't connect your phone to the computer? Run the Windows troubleshooter, it will help you to find what may interfere with the file transfer and fix these issues. If you are using the latest versions of Windows 10, follow these steps:

  1. On the taskbar, right-click the Windows icon and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Then you will need to enter the following command: msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic.
  3. Once the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter opens, click Next. The tool will start detecting issues.


How to fix when your iPhone won't connect to computer


You can connect an iPhone with a Mac OS both by USB and without a wire through a Wi-Fi network.


If you are struggling with your iPhone won't connect to your computer, don't despair! Sometimes it doesn't take a lot of time and effort to fix this problem. So, keep reading to find what can help you to connect your device.

  1. Ensure your iPhone is turned on, unlocked, and on the Home screen.
  2. Check whether your Mac is updated to the latest software.
  3. When connecting your iPhone to your computer using USB cable, don’t forget to tap “Trust this computer”.
  4. Check USB ports and cables to see if they work properly.
  5. Restart your computer and iPhone. Yes, sometimes a simple restart can fix problems. To get started, restart your iPhone to see whether it can reconnect to your computer. If it didn’t help, restart your computer.


If all else fails, then try this method


There is one more troubleshooting step in case your iPhone still won’t connect. You can try restoring the phone to its factory settings. Please note that this method will remove all the data from your device. So, make sure you have a recent backup that can be restored after you reset your iPhone.

  1. Navigate the Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Next, tap Reset > Reset All Content and Settings.



“My phone won't connect to my computer through USB” is one of the most common issues reported by users on thematic forums. Fortunately, there are some troubleshooting tips you can try to fix that issue, or you can use an alternative app.

If your phone won't connect to Mac due to unstable work of the file transfer app, you can turn to MacDroid, an all-in-one app for transferring files between Mac and Android devices. It’s easy to set up and start transferring files easily and hassle-free.

FAQ


There are various reasons why your phone won’t connect to the computer: faulty or worn USB cable, damaged USB port, incompatible apps. Ensure “File transfer” mode is enabled on your phone. If not, change the connection mode. These tips can also help with Mac not recognizing Android.
If your phone does not connect to the computer with USB, check the USB cable for any possible damage. Even minor damage may prevent a proper connection. You can also inspect the USB port.
You can enable the USB Ports through Device Manager. Just right-click the Windows icon and select Device Manager. Then select Universal serial bus controllers and you will see the list of all USB ports in the PC.
There are some troubleshooting steps to help you fix the issue: inspect the USB connections and cables, restart the computer or phone, select ‘File Transfer’ instead of USB charging. If you are using Android File Transfer, you can also encounter “Android File Transfer can't access device storage”. To prevent this, you can try an alternative app like MacDroid.
MacDroid

Break transfer barrier between Android and Mac

Requires macOS 10.15 or newer; compatible with all Android and MTP devices
MacDroid best app for connect Android phone to Mac.
Requires macOS 10.15 or newer; compatible with any Android and MTP devices
4.5 overall rank,
based on 56+ users, Reviews (56)
Version 2.2.404,
released on 12 Sep, 2024