If you have a Samsung or any Android smartphone and a MacBook, you won’t be able to take advantage of the built-in Apple ecosystem features or even Android features. However, you can create a custom ecosystem of Android and Mac using third-party apps. Let’s explore how.
Here are all Apple ecosystem-exclusive features, along with possible workarounds for a Samsung/Android and Mac ecosystem:
| Feature | Replicable with Samsung/Android and Mac Ecosystem |
|---|---|
| AirDrop | ✅ LocalSend |
| Handoff | ✅ Google Apps |
| Universal Clipboard | ✅ KDE Connect |
| Call Continuity | ❌ |
| Continuity Camera | ✅ Camo |
| Universal Control | ❌ |
| Sidecar | ✅ Duet Display |
| Find My | ❌ |
| Instant Hotspot | ❌ |
| Battery Widget | ❌ |
| iPhone Mirroring | ✅ Vysor |
Table of Contents
1. AirDrop Alternative: LocalSend
You can use AirDrop to quickly share files between Apple devices. Though Android offers Quick Share for similar functionality, they don’t work seamlessly. To combat that, you can use apps like LocalSend or NearDrop as AirDrop alternatives.
LocalSend allows you to send files between your Android/Samsung phone and Mac at AirDrop-like speeds. You need to connect to the same Wi-Fi network, open the LocalSend app on both devices, and accept the request when receiving files. You can also check out the NearDrop app, which brings Android’s Quick Share feature to Mac.
Download: LocalSend
2. Handoff Alternative: Google Apps
Handoff allows you to start a task on one Apple device and continue it on another. For example, you can move your browsing from one device to another or start writing an email on your iPhone and complete it on your Mac. This feature is integrated into Apple apps, which are not available on Samsung or Android phones.
To replicate this, you need to use apps and services that work across platforms, like Google apps. For instance, with Chrome, you can click on share on any webpage and select Send to device to switch devices while browsing. Similarly, Gmail allows you to save your draft on one device and continue it on another. Apart from Google apps, you can also check out Microsoft apps that also provide some form of Handoff features.
3. Universal Clipboard Alternative: KDE Connect
KDE Connect offers many ecosystem features like checking your phone’s battery on your Mac, sending files between devices, and texting from your Mac. The best one is the ability to copy on one device and paste on another. After you install it and grant permissions on both devices, you can copy text on a Mac and paste it into your Android phone, provided both are on the same Wi-Fi network.
However, copying from Android to Mac isn’t as seamless. Instead of selecting the Copy option, you need to select the text, click on Share, choose KDE Connect, and then select your Mac. A note window will pop up with the copied text on the Mac. While not as seamless, this is the only app that worked perfectly so far.
Download: KDE Connect
Note: If the KDE Connect app for Mac doesn’t pair with your Android phone, install the Soduto app on your Mac, which works with the KDE Connect app on your phone.
4. Continuity Camera Alternative: Camo
Want to take advantage of your Android’s better camera for video calls? Check out Camo. Install the Camo app on your Android phone and Mac, then pair them either wired or wirelessly. After you pair them, you can choose to use the front or back camera of your Android phone, and then customize settings like FPS, resolution, focus, and filters through the Camo app on Mac. To use your phone camera for video calls, choose Camo app as the camera option from your video call app’s settings.
Download: Camo
5. Sidecar Alternative: Duet Display
To use your Android tablet as a second display to your Mac just like an iPad, you’ll love Duet Display. You can connect your Android to Mac using a cable or wirelessly. Also, compared to other third-party second display apps, Duet Display is easier to connect and less laggy. However, it costs $48 annually. You can check out Spacedesk to use your Android tablet as a second display with Mac.
Download: Duet Display
6. iPhone Mirroring Alternative: Vysor
iPhone mirroring on macOS 15 Sequoia lets you use your iPhone from your Mac. Similarly, Vysor works for Android. Besides screencasting, it lets you control your Android from the Mac. You can even use your keyboard within the cast. To cast, install the Vysor app on your Mac, enable USB Debugging on your Android phone, and connect the devices via USB cable. Then, click the play option in Vysor app to start casting.
The downside is that Vysor doesn’t support wireless connections. For wireless mirroring, you can use X-Mirage on Mac, which has a one-time purchase cost of $19.99.
Download: Vysor
Alternatives With a Near Seamless Experience
While nothing comes close to the native features, these third-party apps offer an acceptable ecosystem experience with some of the niche features on Android that are otherwise offered in Apple’s ecosystem. While some apps are paid, there are a bunch of free apps for you to try out the function before you hit the buy button. That’s how you can create an Android and Macbook ecosystem to ensure that some form of exchange can happen wired or wireless way.
