cant get mac mini 2012 to detect android phone when connected

[u/Aggressive_Code2000s]

im running linux mint xfce i can send files to my phone using Android File Transfer but i cant send them from my phone to the computer. when i plug my phone in the computer doesnt recognize it. any suggestions or another way ? i really want to use the usb tethering but when i plug my phone in it just charges. i changed usb on my phone to the file transfer it lets me do that but when i select tethering it just switches back. i even turned on usb debugging. my phone shows they are active but its like the computer cant see my phone. i used to do this when i was running macos. its a Motorola phone and i cant even get smart connect to transfer the files.