Sharing files on a Mac can be seamless, especially if you would like to share files between two of the same kind (as in, two different Mac computers). There are an abundance of different ways to go about sharing your files, and we’re going to walk through a few of them here today.

  1. Sharing Files Properly on a Mac

The first and most obvious way to go about sharing files would have to be through the use of “AirDrop”. If both of the Mac computers that you’re using are running either OS X Lion or higher, you can use AirDrop to send just about anything. The best part about all of it is that you don’t even need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network to do so – so long as the interacting devices are within range of each other.

You can find “AirDrop” by hitting “Command+Shift+R” within the Mac Finder – wait for the other Mac that you’re trying to connect with to show up on the screen and then drag/drop your files as you please. The other computer will be prompted to accept the file transfer, which they can choose to do (or ignore completely).

Files can also be transferred through iMessage, although the larger ones are going to be a problem. AirDrop is by far the best possible option, but you could also choose to go with the more traditional route – AFP file sharing. It’s a somewhat complicated process that can take a while to get set-up, which is why people focus on the use of AirDrop so frequently.

  1. AFP File Sharing

The option needs to be enabled for all of your Mac systems on the network, or at least, the ones you plan on sharing files with. If you need constant access to another Mac system, but you aren’t in front of that particular computer, this is the best way to go about doing it. Real-time file transfers allow for collaborations, data storage and just about anything else related to the transfer of information to flourish.

To do this, you must:

  • Open your “Sharing” panel from the System Preferences menu (Apple -> System Preferences)
  • Enable “File Sharing” on all of your desired devices
  • In the Mac Finder, hit “Command+Shift+K” and look for the Mac you want to connect with
  • Enter your desired login information and interact with the Mac as if it were your own

How do I transfer files from one Mac to another?

To access another Mac’s files in the Finder, choose Go > Network, double-click one of the computers or devices that displays, and enter your username and password. You can then browse that Mac’s folders and files, and drag files to and from that computer.

Where is the shared folder on Mac?

To access the Shared folder, simply open the Finder and select the Go menu, then select Go to folder (or type command-shift-G). Then type /Users and hit return. You should be staring at the list of user folders on your Mac, with a Shared folder there as well.

How do I share files between Mac and PC?

How to share files between a Mac and a PC
  1. Open System Preferences on your Mac.
  2. Click Sharing.
  3. Click the checkbox next to File Sharing.
  4. Click Options…
  5. Click on the checkbox for the user account you’d like to share with a Windows machine under Windows Files Sharing. You might be asked to enter a password.
  6. Click Done.

How do I transfer files from Mac to Mac wirelessly?

Open Finder on both Macs, on the left you’ll see the AirDrop icon with the parachute and box. Click that on both macs and you should see each other. Then just drag files to the other computer’s picture. You don’t even have to be on a wifi network at all, you just have to have wifi enabled on both Macs.

How do I transfer files from Mac to Mac via Bluetooth?

On your Mac, click the Bluetooth status icon in the menu bar, select a device, then choose Send File to Device. If you don’t see the Bluetooth status icon, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Bluetooth, then select “Show Bluetooth in menu bar.” Select a file, then click Send.

Can I transfer files from Mac to Mac with USB?

It’s easy to move your files and settings from another Mac or PC to your Mac Pro. You can transfer information to your Mac Pro from an old computer—or from a Time Machine backup on a USB storage device—either wirelessly, or with an Ethernet cable and adapters.

How do I transfer files from Mac to USB?

To use the keyboard select the files you want to copy then hit Command+C and then highlight the USB stick and hit Command+V. Or you can Drag and Drop them onto the USB stick. Same thing Highlight them in a Finder window then just click on that groupd of files and drag them to the USB stick in the left hand pane.

What cable do I need to transfer from Mac to Mac?

How do I transfer files from Mac to Mac without Migration Assistant?

To use Apple’s iCloud Drive service, open a ‘Finder’ window on your old Mac and select ‘Go > iCloud Drive’ from the menu bar. You can then drag your files into the window that appears. On your new Mac, make sure you’re logged into the same iCloud account, then open the Finder and select ‘Go > iCloud Drive.

Does Migration Assistant transfer all files?

You can just drag/copy this entire folder over, or you can be more selective about which folders in your home folder you move (for instance, you may not want the Library folder). Then, anything outside of your home folder (Applications, for one) you can drag/copy over if you want. You should not use CCC between Macs.

How do I transfer files from Windows to Mac?

If you’ve already set up your Mac, open Migration Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. On your Mac, follow the onscreen prompts until you get to the migration pane of the assistant. Select the option to transfer your information “From a Windows PC,” then click Continue.

How long does it take to transfer files from Mac to Mac?

Answer: A: It depends on how much data you’re transferring and the method of transfer. Migrating 20-30 GB over a Thunderbolt 3 cable will take a few minutes. Migrating 100-200 GB over Wi-Fi will take a few hours.

Does Migration Assistant Wipe new Mac?

Does Migration Assistant wipe information from the old Mac? When you use Migration Assistant to transfer information, the data gets copied, not deleted.

How do I transfer files between two Macs using AirDrop?

Use AirDrop on your Mac
  1. Open the file that you want to send, then click Share button in the app window. Or Control-click the file in the Finder, then choose Share from the shortcut menu.
  2. Choose AirDrop from the sharing options listed.
  3. Choose a recipient from the AirDrop sheet:

How do I connect two Macs to migrate?

On your old Mac
  1. Open Migration Assistant, then click Continue.
  2. When asked how you want to transfer your information, select the option to transfer to another Mac. Then click Continue.

How do I access files that won’t boot Mac?

Get files off the Mac before your proceed with the following steps. Restart your Mac, and immediately hold down Command + R keys to boot into macOS Recovery mode. Select Restore From Time Machine Backup in macOS Utilities (or Mac OS X Utilities). Select the Mac startup disk from the listed disk and click Continue.

How do I transfer files from a Mac with a broken screen?

A cheap USB case will let you connect the drive to any computer or Mac via the USB port.) The simplest thing to do is boot the Mac in target mode (hold the T key down) and connect it via Thunderbolt or Firewire to another Mac so you can have visibility without repairing your Mac’s screen.