Samsung Kies vs. Android File Transfer: Best for Moving Files

Moving photos, music, and documents should be easy. Yet many people still meet two old names when they search: Samsung Kies and Android File Transfer (AFT). Here is the short answer: Kies was Samsung’s all-in-one desktop suite for older Galaxy phones. AFT was Google’s small Mac tool for basic copies. Today they are both legacy for most users. And very important: Android File Transfer is no longer supported or offered by Google. Samsung

Table of Contents

Samsung Kies is desktop software that connects a Samsung phone to a PC or Mac. It was made to sync contacts and calendars, manage music, make backups, and in some cases install firmware on older Galaxy models. Samsung’s own pages still describe Kies in this way and offer downloads for specific, older devices.

Android File Transfer (AFT) was Google’s lightweight app for macOS that let you browse your phone and drag files over USB. In 2024, Google removed the macOS download from the Android site, and community help threads from 2024 confirm it is no longer available to download from Google. 9to5google

Because support has changed, set expectations first: if you have a recent phone or Mac, you will likely be happier with newer tools (see “Modern alternatives”).

Kies. You install the desktop program, connect your phone with a USB cable, and the software loads a dashboard with sections for sync, backup, and media. This suite-style approach targets older Samsung models; Samsung advises checking your phone model before downloading.

AFT. When it was available, setup was simple: install the app, plug in the phone, and a small window showed your folders for drag-and-drop. Since Google no longer offers the macOS app, this path is now legacy on modern Macs.

Official website of Android file transfer.

Common hiccups for both: bad or charge-only cables, a locked phone, or USB mode not set to File transfer (MTP). These are the exact basics Google lists for moving files over USB. Close other device managers if they “capture” the phone. Google Support

Kies: A full suite – sync contacts and calendars, manage music and playlists, back up and sometimes update firmware for supported older models. Verdict: broader toolset.

AFT: Simple file browsing and copying between Android and a Mac. Verdict: basic tool only.

Kies: Many tabs and options. It can feel heavy, but it guides you through a complete backup or sync.

AFT: Very light, almost no settings—just open and drag. Verdict: AFT was easier for quick pulls; Kies is “one app for everything.”

Kies: Because it is a suite, it can be slower and depends on drivers, but it is better when you want a full phone backup.

AFT: Fine for small batches; big, complex folders could be hit-or-miss even when it was offered. Verdict: backups → Kies; tiny copies → AFT (where it still runs).

Kies: Built for older Samsung devices. Samsung moved new devices to Smart Switch years ago, and current Samsung pages point users to Smart Switch for modern transfers. Verdict: Kies is legacy for most new Galaxy phones.

AFT: Was for macOS + Android. Today, Google no longer provides the Mac download and instead highlights Quick Share for Windows and other methods. Verdict: AFT is also legacy.

Both tools run locally and ask for USB permissions. Only download software from official Samsung or Google pages that match your device model and OS. Verdict: Draw.

Kies: Free. If you have an older Samsung and want full backups or legacy media sync, it still has value. For simple transfers on a new phone, it is overkill and often not supported.

AFT: Free when it existed, very light – but again, Google has stopped offering it for macOS, so it is not a dependable path for new setups.

Rule of thumb: Full phone management on an old Galaxy → Kies. Very small, basic copies on a Mac that already has AFT installed → AFT (if it still runs). For everyone else, use the modern tools below.

You have an older Galaxy you never backed up. Use Kies on a compatible PC to make a full backup of contacts, media, and other data.

You only need a few photos on your Mac. If AFT is already installed and working on your machine, it can do quick drags; otherwise pick a maintained alternative. support.google.com

You own a recent Galaxy or switch phones often. Use Samsung Smart Switch for cable or wireless moves and for computer backups on supported devices.

You often move files to a Windows PC. Google’s Quick Share for Windows is the current path for fast phone-to-PC transfers.

Scenarios when you need to transfer files from Android and Mac.

Try another USB-C/USB-A cable and port (many are charge-only). Unlock the phone and set USB → File transfer (MTP). Close Android Studio or other OEM tools that may grab the connection. For Kies, check drivers; for AFT, reconnect and reopen the app. These steps match Google’s general USB guidance.

Samsung Smart Switch (for Galaxy): Transfer from old devices and make PC/Mac backups for supported models. Samsung’s guides explain wired, wireless, and computer options.

Cloud options: Google Photos and Google Drive handle simple uploads without cables; Google’s help pages cover both.

Quick Share for Windows (Google): Install the app on a Windows PC to share files and folders with Android devices. (There is no Google Quick Share app for macOS.)

Maintained Mac utilities: If you need regular Android↔Mac copies, consider a current third-party tool that mounts your phone like a drive in Finder.

Choose Samsung Kies only if you have an older Samsung and you want an all-in-one backup/sync tool that was designed for those models.

Choose Android File Transfer only if you already have it and need basic, occasional USB copies on a Mac; remember that Google no longer supports or offers the macOS app.

For most people in 2025, the smoother choice is a modern tool: use Smart Switch for Galaxy phones, Quick Share for Windows for easy PC transfers, or cloud services for simple wireless moves.

Samsung Kies vs. Android File Transfer: What’s the simplest way to move files today?

What these apps are, in plain English

Setup & first run

Core comparison: what you’ll notice

Purpose & scope

Ease of use

Speed & reliability

Compatibility (then vs. now)

Privacy & safety

Pricing & value

Real-world scenarios

Quick troubleshooting

Modern alternatives you should know

Verdict

OpenMTP vs. Android File Transfer: the simplest way to move files between Android and Mac

MacDroid vs. Android File Transfer: Which one should you use on a Mac?

Samsung Smart Switch vs. Android’s File Transfer: What’s the easiest way to move to your new phone?