SOLVED! - Can’t Access Device Storage

While it’s usually a straightforward affair, the transferring of files between Android devices and Mac computers still sometimes experiences errors like “Can’t access device storage”. Once it comes to file transfer difficulty, the number one suspect is locked screen so you should consider unlocking the screen. Other solutions include restarting, applying changes to USB settings, checking for updates, taking a look at the cable, … Spare a bit of your time to read this article and learn what must be done. 

Triggers

All in all, it’s not uncommon to come across errors while using Android devices and Mac computers. In the case of “Can’t access device storage”, you should take the possibilities down below into account: 

• Locked screen. 
• Bugs.
• Obsolescence.
• Incompatible USB settings. 
• Cable is damaged. 

Troubleshooting 

Unlock The Screen

For security reasons, it’s impossible for Mac computers to access the storage of Android devices if the screen of the latter is locked. Hence, if you keep running into errors during file transfers, there is a good chance that you have yet to unlock the screen. To be able to transfer files, all you need to do is to disconnect your Android device from your Mac computer, unlock the screen and reconnect them. Remember to allow the computer to access data if prompted. 

Restart

In the beginning, disconnect your Android device from your Mac computer. Next, on your Android device, press and hold the Power button, hit Restart and confirm your decision if prompted. After you finish, click the Apple icon on your Mac computer and pick Restart. Last but not least, connect your Android device to your Mac computer then start transferring files. 

Check For Updates

For Android 

• Step 1: Open Settings, click About phone, pick Software update then hit Download and install. 
• Step 2: If an update for Android is available, download and install it. 
• Step 3: As soon as the update completes, restart your device. 

For Mac

• Step 1: Click the Apple icon, go to Settings and pick General
• Step 2: Hit Software Update. If an update for macOS is available, download and install it. 
• Step 3: Restart your computer the moment the update concludes. 

Apply Changes To USB Settings

• Step 1: Connect your Android device to your Mac computer.
• Step 2: On your Android device, swipe down from top to bottom. 
• Step 3: Hit USB for file transfer then tick the Transferring Files circle. 

Alternatively, 

• Step 1: Connect your Android device to your Mac computer.
• Step 2: On your Android device, swipe down from top to bottom. 
• Step 3: Hit Tap for more USB options then tick the Media device (MTP) circle. 

Note: Unable to see other USB settings? Then it’s highly likely that the cable you use to connect your Android device to your Mac computer is a charging cable. As the name suggests, charging cables only support charging while data cables support charging as well as transferring files. Get your hands on a data cable if you want to transfer files. 

Take A Look At The Cable

If none of the above works, it’s possible that the cable is the root of the problem. To be thorough, it’s strongly recommended that you inspect and examine the cable. In the case that you notice signs of damages on the cable, don’t hesitate to pick up a replacement. You should use the opportunity to check out the ports on your Android device and Mac computer too. 

USB Connection Protocols On Android: Summary 

• MIDI, short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a USB connection protocol that allows for the transmission of musical data between an Android device and a computer.
• Media Transfer Protocol, commonly abbreviated as MTP, is a protocol that allows your Android device to be identified as a media player by a computer. 
• Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) is quite similar to MTP and the only difference is that PTP is specifically designed for transferring photos.
• USB tethering is a connection protocol that allows you to share your phone’s internet connection via a data cable. 
• UMS aka USB Mass Storage was a protocol that allowed Android devices to be mounted as an external storage device on a computer, similar to a USB flash drive.