How to Play Videos from Your Android Phone on Your Mac

How can I watch my Android phone videos on my Mac?

Streaming content from your Android phone to your Mac is surprisingly simple. You can either use screen mirroring tools that support Android-to-Mac connections or transfer videos directly using file transfer software. Whether you're watching a full-length movie, scrolling through TikTok clips, or enjoying personal videos, there are a few reliable ways to bridge your Android device with your Mac screen effortlessly.

How to play videos from your Android phone on your Mac via screen mirroring software [3 tools]

One of the easiest ways to watch videos from your Android phone on your Mac is through screen mirroring. With the right tool, transferring files between devices is unnecessary. Screen mirroring lets you view your Android screen directly on your Mac in real-time. You can also control your Android phone from your Mac, making browsing and playing any video stored on your phone effortless—whether it's a movie, a reel, or a personal clip.

Tool 1. AnyViewer [Recommended]

The best screen mirroring software that allows you to control your Android phone from your Mac and play videos is AnyViewer. It delivers a smooth, high-quality mirroring experience with minimal latency, making video playback seamless and responsive. Once connected, your Android screen is displayed in real-time on your Mac, letting you navigate, tap, and play videos directly from your computer.

AnyViewer supports full-screen viewing, intuitive mouse controls, and even keyboard input, turning your Mac into a complete command center for your Android device. With strong encryption and privacy features, it's also a secure choice for both personal and professional use.

Here's how to play videos from your Android phone on your MacBook using AnyViewer in a few easy steps:

Step 1. Install AnyViewer on your Android phone and create a free account.

Step 2. Install AnyViewer on your Mac and log in with the same account.

Step 3. On your Mac, go to the "Devices" tab and click "Remote control" on your Android device.

Step 4. On your phone, tap "Allow" and turn on AnyViewer Auxiliary Service.

Step 5. That's it! You can now control your Android from your Mac and play any videos on your phone screen.

★Tips:

To expand your remote control capabilities and unlock access to additional Android phone devices, contemplate upgrading your account to a Professional or Enterprise plan.

Tool 2. AirDroid Cast

AirDroid Cast is another solid option for controlling an Android device from a Mac, especially when it comes to streaming videos. Tailored specifically for this task, it stands out for its user-friendly design. As an award-winning app, it has earned its place among the top choices for managing Android devices from a Mac.

How to play videos from your Android phone on your MacBook Air via AirDroid Cast:

Step 1. Download and install AirDroid Cast on both your Android phone and your Mac. Sign in with the same account on both devices.

Step 2. On your Mac, open AirDroid Cast and either scan the QR code or enter the 9-digit Cast Code from your Android device. Accept the connection request.

Step 3. On your Android phone, tap "Allow," then tap "Enable" and "Start now" to begin screen casting.

Step 4. Your Android screen will now appear on your Mac. To control your Android from your Mac, click the Control icon on your Mac, and press "OK" on your phone when prompted.

Step 5. You're now ready to play videos from your Android phone on your Mac using AirDroid Cast!

Tool 3. Vysor

Vysor is another excellent tool for controlling an Android device from a Mac and playing videos. It's a widely used Chrome extension known for its ability to mirror Android screens to a computer. In addition, it allows you to control your mobile device using your mouse and keyboard, making it easy to project your phone's screen onto a larger monitor and seamlessly switch between your computer and Android device.

Steps to use Vysor:

Step 1. Add the Vysor extension to your Chrome browser and launch the app once the installation is complete.

Step 2. Download the Vysor mobile app on your Android phone and connect it to your Mac using a USB cable.

Step 3. Enable USB debugging mode on your Android device.

Step 4. In the Vysor window, click "View" to project your mobile screen onto your Mac.

How to transfer Android videos to your Mac [3 tools]

Another way to play Android videos on your Mac is by using cross-platform file transfer software to move the videos from your Android device to your Mac. Fortunately, there are a few simple methods that can help you transfer videos from Android to Mac without much hassle.

Tool 1. Android File Transfer

Although you can't directly connect your Android smartphone to a Mac to access its file manager, you can still transfer files between your Android device and MacBook using USB. The key is installing a third-party application called Android File Transfer on your Mac, which allows you to easily move video files.

Android File Transfer is an official Google tool for transferring data between Android devices and Macs. It enables you to access your smartphone's file system directly on your MacBook with just a USB connection.

Here's how to transfer videos from Android to Mac using Android File Transfer:

Step 1. Download and install Android File Transfer on your MacBook.

Step 2. Connect your Android phone to your Mac via USB, ensuring the USB option is set to File Transfer or MTP (Media Transfer Protocol).

Step 3. Once connected, Android File Transfer should open automatically. Browse through the directories and select the files you want to transfer.

Step 4. Drag the selected files to your desktop, and they'll be instantly transferred from your Android device to your Mac.

While this method is convenient, many users have reported encountering bugs with Android File Transfer. If you face any issues, consider trying the other methods on our list.

Tool 2. Cloud storage like Google Drive

A convenient way to transfer videos from Android to MacBook is by using a cloud storage and file-sharing service like Google Drive. You can simply upload your videos to Google Drive and then download them on your Mac using the same Google account.

However, this method is ideal only if you have limited data. Google Drive offers 15GB of free storage. If you're planning to transfer more than 15GB of data, you'll need to purchase additional storage. Additionally, a stable and fast internet connection is required to upload your video files to Google Drive.

In short, using cloud storage to transfer videos is best suited for moving a few small-sized videos.

Here's how to transfer videos using Google Drive:

Step 1. Open Google Drive on your smartphone and tap on "Upload".

Step 2. Select the video files you want to upload and tap "Done".

Step 3. The uploaded files will appear in "My Drive" unless you move them to a different folder manually.

Step 4. On your MacBook, open Google Drive, right-click the specific video file, and select "Download" to save it to your laptop.

This method is easy but may not be suitable for transferring large amounts of data due to Google Drive's storage limitations.

Tool 3. SendAnywhere

SendAnywhere is a widely used third-party file transfer app that supports nearly every platform. With dedicated apps available for both Mac and Android, you can easily connect the two devices for quick file sharing.

This app transfers files over Wi-Fi, which means you get fast data transfer speeds. One of SendAnywhere's standout features is its use of encryption. Your files are securely transferred through an encrypted server, keeping your data safe from unauthorized access.

Here's how to transfer videos from Android to Mac using SendAnywhere:

Step 1. Download and launch the SendAnywhere app on both your Android device and MacBook.

Step 2. On your Android device, select the video files you want to share and tap "Send". A 6-digit key will appear on the screen.

Step 3. On your MacBook, open SendAnywhere, enter the 6-digit code in the "Receive" section, and hit "Enter".

Step 4. Click "Download", and your selected files will be instantly transferred to your Mac.

This method is fast, secure, and doesn't require cables—just a shared Wi-Fi connection and a few taps.

Conclusion

If you're wondering how to play videos from your Android phone on your Mac, there are two easy methods: screen mirroring and file transfer. Screen mirroring tools like AnyViewer (recommended for its smooth, secure experience), AirDroid Cast, and Vysor allow you to stream and control your Android screen on your Mac in real-time. Alternatively, you can transfer video files using tools like Android File Transfer, Google Drive, or SendAnywhere. Each method offers convenient ways to enjoy your Android videos on a bigger Mac screen.