SwiftMTP
Website ·
Releases
[](https://github.com/Neighbor-Z/SwiftMTP/)[](https://github.com/Neighbor-Z/SwiftMTP/releases/latest)[](https://github.com/Neighbor-Z/SwiftMTP/blob/main/LICENSE)
**SwiftMTP** is a light-weight, modern, Swift-based utility for interacting with MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) devices on macOS. It allows users to browse, manage, and transfer files between a Mac and external devices like Android phones.
Inspired by [OpenMTP](https://github.com/ganeshrvel/openmtp/), SwiftMTP uses the enhanced backend to provide a consistently high-performance transfer experience while maintaining a compact footprint.
---
## New Feature
Introducing `swiftmtp-cli`. It is a powerful, lightweight macOS command-line interface designed to manage Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) devices with ease. Built natively in Swift and backed by the brand new `Gomtp` backend, it allows users to easily use AI Agent to quickly interact with connected Android devices or cameras.
`swiftmtp-cli` is located in `SwiftMTP.app/Contents/MacOS`.
The usage guide `CLI_USAGE.md` is available through the "File" menu - "Export CLI Usage Guide".
---
## Features
- **Device Management**: Easily connect/disconnect MTP devices and select specific storage devices.
- **File Browsing**: Deeply navigate through device directories with a native macOS feel with Quick Look preview supported.
- **Bi-directional Transfer**: Import and export files with support for **Drag-and-Drop**.
- **File Operations**: Create new folders, rename and delete files directly on the device.
- **Progress Tracking**: Real-time transfer progress bars and status indicators.
- **Safe and secure**: No ADB or USB debugging required.
- **Localization**: Multilingual support via `Localizable.xcstrings`.
- **Natural Language Search**: Find your files naturally like a conversation. Just type what you're looking for, e.g., "Photos of last week" or "Work documents from 2024".
- **Device Info Analysis**: Get smart insights about your device hardware, connectivity status, and potential performance optimizations.
For AI details, privacy and security, please read [Details_and_Privacy.md](https://github.com/Neighbor-Z/SwiftMTP/blob/main/Details_and_Privacy.md)
---
## Screenshot
| File menu with Keyboard Shortcuts | Go menu with Keyboard Shortcuts |
| ------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------- |
|  |  |
| Natural Language Search | Device Info Analysis |
| ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
|  |  |
---
## Architecture
The project is structured to bridge high-level Swift with low-level MTP kernel interactions:
```text
SwiftMTP/
├──SwiftMTP/ # Main App Source
│ ├── SwiftMTPApp.swift # Entry point
│ ├── Views/ # SwiftUI UI Layer
│ ├── Models/ # Data models
│ └── Services/ # KalamMTPManager (Connection & Transfer logic)
├──KalamShim/ # C shim bridging Swift and the MTP kernel
├──ffi/ # Kalam backend source
├──CKalam/ # Module map for C headers
└──lib/ # Runtime dependencies (kalam.dylib, libusb.dylib)
```
---
## Getting Started
### Install
Download [Release](https://github.com/Neighbor-Z/SwiftMTP/releases/latest) or install via homebrew:
```bash
brew tap neighbor-z/swiftmtp && brew install --cask swiftmtp
```
### Build
#### Prerequisites
* **Xcode 15.0+**
* **macOS 12.0+**
#### Build & Run
1. ~~Please build backend first. Refer to `ffi/kalam/native/README.md`. This step will build necessary dynamic libraries (`kalam.dylib` & `libusb.dylib`) and will place them under `lib`.~~ Pre-compiled dylibs have been added. You can also compile them by yourself.
2. Open `SwiftMTP.xcodeproj` in Xcode.
3. Select your target platform (macOS).
4. Press Run.
---
## Realized
- [x] Drag-and-Drop
- [x] Automatic device connect detection
- [x] Transfer progress bar and status indicators
- [x] Multi selections and export
- [x] "Go" and "File" menu
- [x] Favorites
- [x] Finder-like quick look preview (press spacebar)
- [x] File list font size adjustment
- [x] Paste to import
- [x] Multiple device connections (v1.1)
- [x] Cancel a transfer (v1.1)
## FAQ
**I got "OpenSession after reset: LIBUSB_ERROR_NOT_FOUND"**
This could be due to other software occupying MTP sessions or a device connection issue. Please ensure software like *Preview*, *Image Capture*, or *Android File Transfer* is not running. For *Android File Transfer*, even if it's not running in the foreground, there is an *Android File Transfer Agent* in the system background to detect USB MTP device connections in real time and automatically launch the main app. You can exit *Android File Transfer Agent* in *Activity Monitor*. After that, please reconnect or restart your device.
**macOS cannot verify this app?**
This is because the app was not released in the way Apple prefers. Apple requires developers to pay $99 annually for a so-called "security signature". Please go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll down and allow the app to run. If the problem still exists, please execute the following command in Terminal and try opening the app once again.
```bash
sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/SwiftMTP.app
```
## License
[GPL](https://github.com/Neighbor-Z/SwiftMTP/blob/main/LICENSE)
---
**About AI**: AI assistance involved; each code segment has undergone manual review and testing.
**Need help?** If you encounter any issues, please open an [Issue](https://github.com/Neighbor-Z/SwiftMTP/issues).
**Contributing**: SwiftMTP is always looking for contributions. Just simply fork this repo and make [pull requests](https://github.com/Neighbor-Z/SwiftMTP/pulls). You can also improve the translation or add your new language freely.
**Support project**: [☕️ Buy Me a Coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/neighbor_z)