Android smartphones and Macs don't work well together, especially when it comes to transferring files from one to the other via USB. Apple's macOS cannot natively connect devices that use MTP to transfer files, such as Android phones. That's where the Android File Transfer app comes in, a small helper app for Mac created by Google that makes it possible to move files between Android and macOS. However, shortly after the release of the first developer preview of Android 15, the download link for this tool disappeared from the Android website. But after all, what led Google to hide the application that connects macOS to Android?
Google hid the application that connects macOS to Android!
When you scroll down to the bottom of android.com, you used to see a link to “File Transfer” in the Support section, which also lists options like the Google Help Center or a shortcut to the Find My Device tool. . As spotted by 9to5Google, the download link for the file transfer app has completely disappeared. The publication was able to identify the removal at approximately the time Android 15 Developer Preview 1 was released.
It is not known for sure why Google decided to remove the useful link from the Android website. However this may indicate a better solution. The File Transfer app is known for its poor performance, with crashes and slow transfers that make it anything but a reliable solution. Third-party file transfer apps for Macs, like OpenMTP, have long emerged to fill the gap left by Google. However, it is possible that, to coincide with Android 15, Google could launch a new tool for Mac.
With the company recently joining forces with Samsung to update and rebrand its Nearby Share wireless transfer standard to Quick Share, it's possible the companies are working to bring it to more platforms.
However, you can still transfer the transfer application. It remains accessible on its dedicated subpage on android.com, which can be easily found via Google search. In fact, it's the most likely route most people take to install it, in any case.