Transfer Files Between Mac and Android

If you use a Mac with an Android phone, none of Apple's built-in sync features help you. Universal Clipboard, Handoff, AirDrop, and iMessage are all Apple-only — they don't talk to Android at all. Clipcroft is the simplest way to bridge that gap, working in any browser on both sides without installing anything.

Send a file from Mac to Android in three steps

1. On your Mac, open clipcroft.com in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge and click Create a new clipboard. You'll get a short shared name like "317".
2. On your Android phone, open clipcroft.com in Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet, or Edge and enter the same name. The two devices are now connected.
3. Drag a file onto the Mac page, or paste text. It appears on your Android phone instantly. Tap the file on Android to download — Chrome saves it to Downloads, from where you can move it to Photos, Drive, or share it through the standard Android share sheet.

Send a file from Android to Mac

The flow is symmetric. Tap the upload area on the Android page to pick a file, photo, or video — or paste text directly. It shows up on your Mac immediately. Right-click on the Mac to download, copy, or share via the macOS share sheet, or select multiple items and download them together as a ZIP.

Browser support

Mac (macOS)

Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge in their current versions. Works on macOS 12 and newer, on both Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) and Intel Macs. No installer, no extension, no Apple ID required.

Android

Chrome (default on most devices), Firefox, Samsung Internet, and Edge for Android. No app from Google Play, no Google account required. Works on Android 8 and newer.

Why this works without an app or an Apple account

Clipcroft uses WebRTC — the same direct browser-to-browser technology behind Google Meet and most browser-based video calls. Once both devices are on the same shared clipboard name, the browsers establish a peer-to-peer connection over the internet. Files travel directly from your Mac to your Android phone (or vice versa) without ever passing through our servers, without uploading to a cloud, and without needing both devices on the same Wi-Fi network.

What that means in practice for Mac and Android:

• No iCloud account, no Google account, no sign-in of any kind
• No Pushbullet, no AirDroid, no KDE Connect to install and configure
• Photos and videos stay at full resolution — messaging apps recompress, Clipcroft does not
• Works for any Android phone (not just Pixels — unlike Google's Phone Hub, which is restricted)
• Works on cellular too: your Android phone on 4G/5G can transfer to a Mac on home Wi-Fi

Frequently asked questions

Why doesn't Universal Clipboard or Handoff work between Mac and Android?

Universal Clipboard and Handoff are Apple proprietary features that only work between Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account. They never communicate with Android. Clipcroft fills that gap because it runs in the browser on both sides — there is no platform restriction.

Do I need to install anything on my Android phone?

No. Clipcroft runs entirely in Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet, or Edge on Android. There is nothing to install from Google Play and no account to create.

Will photos lose quality?

No. Messaging apps and email tend to recompress photos. Clipcroft transfers the original file byte-for-byte, including 4K videos, RAW photos, HEIC images, and other large files.

Does it work with both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs?

Yes. Clipcroft is a website — there is no native binary, no architecture-specific build, and no installer. Any modern macOS browser on either Apple Silicon or Intel works identically.

Do both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network?

No. Any internet connection works on either side. Clipcroft handles network traversal automatically — your Android phone can be on cellular while your Mac is on home Wi-Fi.