Connection guide

Three ways to connect. Here's how each one works.

Pick by what your phone allows. Automatic, the default, tries them in order of speed.

Which one?

Connection	Best for	The phone needs	And
Advanced USB	The fastest. Keeps Finder current within seconds.	USB debugging on, Android 8+	Any data cable
Standard USB	Works with almost any phone, nothing to enable in developer settings.	File transfer (MTP) mode	Any data cable
Secure Wi-Fi	No cable. Encrypted pairing.	Wireless debugging, Android 11+	Same local network

Advanced USB

On the phone, open Settings → About phone and tap Build number seven times to turn on Developer options.
In Developer options, turn on USB debugging.
Connect the cable. On the phone, allow USB debugging for this Mac when it asks. Only approve a Mac you trust.
In PortLine, the phone shows as ready. Click Open in Finder.

Developer options on the phone, with USB debugging switched on.

Standard USB

Connect the cable. On the phone, open the USB notification and choose File transfer (sometimes called Android Auto or MTP).
In PortLine, choose Standard USB for the phone, or leave Automatic on.
Click Open in Finder. Quit other apps that may be using the phone's USB connection, such as Android File Transfer or photo importers.

The phone's USB preferences with File transfer selected.

Secure Wi-Fi

Put the Mac and the phone on the same trusted Wi-Fi network.
On the phone, turn on Developer options → Wireless debugging, then choose Pair device with QR code.
In PortLine, choose Pair over Wi-Fi and scan the code the Mac shows. Allow Local Network access for PortLine when macOS asks.
Click Open in Finder. The phone reconnects by itself whenever both are on the network.

Android 10 and older: Wireless debugging doesn't exist there. PortLine can set up the older Wi-Fi mode over USB first. It is not encrypted; use it on a private network you trust, and follow the app's Turn Off Wi-Fi step when you're done.

Wireless debugging sits just below USB debugging in Developer options.

If the phone doesn't appear

Unlock the phone

A locked phone hides its storage. Unlock it and look for a permission prompt.

Use a data cable

Some charging cables carry no data. Try another cable or another port.

Check the USB mode

For Standard USB, the phone must be in File transfer mode, not Charging only.

Approve the Mac

For Advanced USB, the phone asks once to allow USB debugging. If you tapped Deny, revoke authorizations in Developer options and reconnect.

One app at a time

Only one program can hold the phone's USB connection. Quit other transfer tools, then click Refresh in PortLine.

Same network, no isolation

For Wi-Fi, guest networks, VPNs and client isolation stop devices from finding each other.

Still stuck? Email the macOS version, Android version, phone model, connection and the exact message to [email protected].