Android File Transfer - getting it to work reliably on a Mac

I want to use Android File Transfer (AFT) on my Mac so I can mount the Fenix 7X on my Mac desktop and then access the Fenix just like any other USB drive. I mainly want to do this to load new maps of my choice onto the watch.

By default, whenever I connect my Fenix to the Mac with the USB cable and just try to load AFT, this happens:

To fix this Garmin Express has to be stopped from running. The best way to do this I find is with the Apple 'Activity Monitor' app.

I open this and find the two Garmin processes:

I highlight them, then I use Force Quit:

AFT then works fine

Hope that helps !

Top Replies

Dr Phil over 2 years ago in reply to Maruzko +2

That’s a bit convoluted when the only thing that needs to be done is to close Garmin Express fully as opposed to just minimising it
Dr Phil over 2 years ago in reply to Z +1

Same for me. As long as Garmin Express is fully shutdown, (I haven’t had to shutdown using Activity Monitor), AFT works just fine. I’ve been on Ventura for the past few weeks and haven’t seen a change…
Maruzko over 2 years ago in reply to Z +1

Z said:
But you are running memory and disk heavy Win10 just for that ;)

My Mac is a work asset and requires a constant VPN connection.

The VM bypasses the VPN so I can manage devices on my own home network…

All Replies

0 Z over 2 years ago

Interesting,it works for me without doing anything you have explained. Are you on Apple silicon?

0 Keith Robertson over 2 years ago in reply to Z

No, just the very last Intel Mac Mini. AFT worked fine for many years, but the latest OSX updates, or something (!) seemed to stop it here for me, until I killed the Garmin processes.

0 Z over 2 years ago in reply to Keith Robertson

Yeah, than is osx update. However, still works fine for me after update. As soon as I connect my Fenix AFT pops up.

0 Dr Phil over 2 years ago in reply to Z

Same for me. As long as Garmin Express is fully shutdown, (I haven’t had to shutdown using Activity Monitor), AFT works just fine. I’ve been on Ventura for the past few weeks and haven’t seen a change in behaviour

0 Z over 2 years ago in reply to Dr Phil

I don't even have Garmin express installed

0 Maruzko over 2 years ago

I had similar issues, Android File Transfer doesn't work reliably on my Mac.

Plus the Mac I have is a work asset so some Apps aren't permitted.

I actually found a more reliable way, although a little more setup is needed initially.

Download VMWare Fusion, can be used with a free license now.

https://customerconnect.vmware.com/en/downloads/info/slug/desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_fusion/12_0

Download a copy of Windows 10 from Microsoft.

Can be used for free without activation, you just cant customize the desktop, but you can install Apps and use them.

Create a Virtual Machine in VMWare fusion and install Windows 10 into it.

Install Garmin Express in Windows 10.

The first time you plug your watch into the Mac it will ask if it should be mounted on the Mac or the Windows VM, choose the Windows VM as the default.

Now I can run Garmin Express for Windows and sync, plus I can access the watch file system and copy maps on to it.

0 Z over 2 years ago in reply to Maruzko

But you are running memory and disk heavy Win10 just for that ;)

0 Dr Phil over 2 years ago in reply to Maruzko

That’s a bit convoluted when the only thing that needs to be done is to close Garmin Express fully as opposed to just minimising it

0 Maruzko over 2 years ago in reply to Z

Z said:
But you are running memory and disk heavy Win10 just for that ;)

My Mac is a work asset and requires a constant VPN connection.

The VM bypasses the VPN so I can manage devices on my own home network through it, so it has a dual purpose other than just Gamrin Express.

I have also given the VM minimal resources so the impact on the MAC OS side is not noticeable.

0 Maruzko over 2 years ago in reply to Dr Phil

Dr Phil said:
That’s a bit convoluted when the only thing that needs to be done is to close Garmin Express fully as opposed to just minimising it

I also found that since I am on a US based VPN, Garmin Express on the MAC would keep saying I needed to sync. It would never complete.

But since using Garmin Express in the VM, via local IP address it knows the local country I am in not being the US, so its syncing with local Gamin servers I assume since its much faster and always succeeds.