Backup Android Files with ADB: Alternative to Android File Transfer

Why This Method?

If you’re a Mac user trying to backup your Android device, you’ve probably encountered this frustrating error with Android File Transfer:

“Unable to connect to the device. Try reconnecting or restarting your device.”

This is a common issue on macOS, especially with newer Android versions and macOS updates. The official Android File Transfer app often fails to establish a stable connection, leaving users without a reliable way to backup their precious photos and videos.

The ADB Solution

Instead of relying on the problematic Android File Transfer app, I’ve created a robust bash script that uses ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to backup your media files. This method is more reliable, faster, and gives you complete control over the backup process.

Prerequisites

1. Install ADB on macOS

# Using Homebrew (recommended)
brew install android-platform-tools

# Verify installation
adb version

2. Enable Developer Options on Android

1. Go to Settings → About Phone
2. Tap Build Number 7 times
3. Go back to Settings → Developer Options
4. Enable USB Debugging
5. Enable USB Debugging (Security Settings) if available

3. Connect Your Device

1. Connect your Android device via USB
2. Select File Transfer or MTP mode when prompted
3. Allow USB debugging when the popup appears on your device

Installation

Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/flasomm/android-media-sync.git
cd android-media-sync
chmod +x backup_android_files

Configure the Script

Edit the script to set your backup destination:

# Open the script
nano backup_android_files

# Change this line to your preferred backup location
DESTINATION_DIR="/Users/yourname/Pictures/Android-Backup/$(date +%Y-%m)"

Usage

Basic Backup

./backup_android_files

The script will:

1. Detect your Android device automatically
2. Scan for media directories (DCIM, Pictures, etc.)
3. Let you choose which directories to backup
4. Copy all files with timestamp preservation
5. Organize files into Images/ and Videos/ folders

Advanced Options

# Backup to specific location
./backup_android_files

# Custom destination (edit script first)
DESTINATION_DIR="/Volumes/ExternalDrive/Android-Backup"

Features

• Smart Directory Detection: Automatically finds all media directories
• Timestamp Preservation: Maintains original file creation dates
• Organized Structure: Creates Images/ and Videos/ folders
• Safe Operations: Read-only on device, no data loss
• Cross-platform: Works on macOS and Linux
• Comprehensive Support: JPG, PNG, HEIC, RAW, MP4, AVI, MOV, and more

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

“ADB not found”

brew install android-platform-tools

“Device unauthorized”

1. Check USB debugging is enabled
2. Disconnect and reconnect your device
3. Accept the USB debugging prompt on your device

“No media files found”

1. Ensure your device is unlocked
2. Check that media files exist in DCIM, Pictures, etc.
3. Verify USB connection mode is “File Transfer”

Debug Mode

If you encounter issues, enable debug mode:

# Edit the script and change:
DEBUG_MODE=true

Output Structure

After running the backup, you’ll have:

/your/backup/directory/
├── Images/
│   ├── IMG_20240115_103000.jpg
│   ├── Screenshot_20240115_104500.png
│   └── ... (all images)
└── Videos/
    ├── VID_20240115_103000.mp4
    ├── Screen_Recording_20240115.mp4
    └── ... (all videos)

Why This Method is Better

Advantages over Android File Transfer

1. Reliability: ADB is more stable than Android File Transfer
2. Speed: Direct file transfer without GUI overhead
3. Control: Complete control over what gets backed up
4. Automation: Can be scripted and automated
5. Cross-platform: Works on macOS, Linux, and Windows
6. Timestamp Preservation: Maintains original file dates

Supported File Types

Images: JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, WebP, HEIC, HEIF, RAW (CR2, NEF, ARW, DNG, ORF, RW2, PEF, SRW, X3F)

Videos: MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, WMV, FLV, WebM, M4V, 3GP, MPG, MPEG, TS, MTS, VOB, OGV, ASF, F4V, F4P, F4A, F4B

Security & Safety

• Read-only on device: Scripts never modify files on your Android device
• Safe operations: All deletions are local only
• Backup verification: Scripts count and verify copied files
• Error handling: Graceful handling of connection issues
• Timestamp preservation: Original file dates are maintained

Resources

• Repository: https://github.com/flasomm/android-media-sync
• ADB Documentation: Android Debug Bridge
• Android File Transfer Issues: Common problems and solutions

Conclusion

While Android File Transfer can be unreliable on macOS, ADB provides a robust alternative for backing up your Android media files. The scripts in this repository make the process simple and automated, ensuring your precious memories are safely backed up.

The method is not only more reliable but also gives you better control over the backup process, making it an excellent solution for users who need a dependable way to transfer files from their Android devices to their Mac computers.

This solution addresses the common frustration with Android File Transfer on macOS and provides a reliable, scriptable alternative using ADB.