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Move Files Between Users Mac



For those with multiple Macs, syncing files across computers can be a hassle. Many have a Mac at home, at work, and maybe one in a third location! Here, we'll show you how to transfer files from Mac to Mac, share files between Macs, and move files from a cloud storage container to your Mac, locally. I would like be able to copy files from one user profile to another. For example download photos to: /Users/user1/Desktop and then move than into /Users/user2/Pictures. Default Mac OS X setting do not allows that, unless you are logged in as root. I do not want use root account, just be able to write into another user folder. Welcome to Mac Help, our new column focused on helping you, the reader, with troubles you're having on your Mac. This installment's question comes from Doug Larsen, who needs help sharing files between his and his wife's user accounts on their family Mac. Dough writes: My wife and I sometimes want to share files with each other. A year ago we got our first Mac but before that we. Access to Shared folder in Users account they can move or copy things into, central. To other user access. Other versions Mac OS X and later macOS have this idea. For me to set up my older Mac to share files between all users, I could change the. Ownership permissions & privileges as indicated in this older topic thread; per Mac.

  1. Mac Terminal Move File
  2. Mac Move Files Without Copy
Best data sync app for Mac
Your data synced and secure with ChronoSync Express.

For those with multiple Macs, syncing files across computers can be a hassle. Many have a Mac at home, at work, and maybe one in a third location! Here, we'll show you how to transfer files from Mac to Mac, share files between Macs, and move files from a cloud storage container to your Mac, locally.

Set up file sharing between Macs

The best solutions to connect two Macs to transfer, share and sync files. All in one pack, give it a go!

There are a number of different ways to transfer files from Mac to Mac or share them, depending on the tools you use to work on the file.

Transfer data between Macs online

The most popular way to transfer data between Macs is via the cloud. That could be via iCloud — Apple's own apps use iCloud to sync between Macs and iOS devices logged into the same Apple ID — or, say, Dropbox. By saving files to your online cloud account rather than your local Mac, you'll always be working on the most recent version of a document. Tools like Microsoft Office 365 and Google Docs work in a similar way — storing documents online so you can access them from anywhere.

If you've ever wondered 'how do I move files from iCloud to my Mac?,' we'll show you.

Using a cloud storage solution like iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, or any other service is like having an external drive you don't have to actually carry around. Files can be stored there, and moved to any Mac you like, or multiple Macs. It's a popular solution because cloud storage is available anywhere you go, and there's no hardware to manage. The best solutions – like those mentioned above – can house any file type you have.

Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud all have the ability to select multiple files or folders for download. All you need to do is command-click or shift-click on the files you want to download, then choose the ‘download' option. For Google Drive and Dropbox it's on the right side of the screen. (Dropbox has a ‘download' button; Drive has a three-dot menu with a ‘download' option.)

For iCloud users, simply select the files you want to download, they choose the ‘download' icon – a cloud with a downward-facing arrow – at the top center of the screen.

Cloud-based storage isn't always the right solution. You may have large files or folders that exceed your cloud storage limit, or documents you want to view and edit locally on your Mac. These are a few occasions where you'll need to store documents and files locally and sync them later. That could be because you work offline sometimes and need to be able to access documents or because you don't want to store documents in the cloud.

There are solutions for that too. One of them is ChronoSync Express (above), which allows you quickly and easily synchronize files between two Macs. There are a number of caveats — the Macs you sync need to be running the same version of Mac OS and the applications on them should all be the same version. In addition, you should only synchronize files in your user Home folder, with the exception of files in the Library folder. There's an excellent guide to syncing between two Macs using ChronoSync Express here.

If you'd rather take a more manual approach to sharing files, Forklift (below) can help. Designed as a tool for managing FTP servers, Forklift can also sync and transfer files from Mac to Mac on the same network. All you need to do is connect to the Mac using AFP or SMB, log in and add the folder you want to synchronize to your Favourites in Forklift. You can then use Forklift's sync tool to ensure the same data is always in both folders.

Transfer files with AirDrop

When two Macs are within Bluetooth range of each other, Apple's built-in AirDrop feature may help with file transfer. It's most useful when transferring one file at a time, and isn't perfect for larger files or folders. But when you need to send an image or document from one Mac to another in the same vicinity, AirDrop is a very decent tool.

Here's how to use it:

  1. Use the command-space bar keyboard shortcut to bring up Spotlight search on your Mac.
  2. Type ‘AirDrop'
  3. Open the AirDrop utility
    Note: Make sure both Macs are powered on and not ‘sleeping.' AirDrop only works when both devices are active. Similarly, the remaining steps will discuss how to send a file using AirDrop.
  4. Find the Mac you want to send files or folders to
  5. Drag-and-drop the files or folders onto the icon of the Mac you're sending to

For this to work well, both Macs should have their discoverability set to ‘Everyone.' (It's an option at the bottom of the screen, as seen below. You may be able to use the ‘contacts only' setting, though this can be cumbersome when two Macs are using the same Apple ID.)

The upside to AirDrop is it can be used to send files to iPhones, iPads, or other Apple devices within range.

File Sharing

You can use built-in settings on your Mac to share files and folders with others in your network. It's a good option for those who want to ‘own' a document and allow others to edit them, or set particular users to have ‘read-only' access. Here's how:

  1. From the menu bar, select the Apple icon
  2. Select ‘System Preferences'
  3. Select ‘Sharing'
  4. Select the ‘File Sharing' box
  5. Under ‘Shared Folders,' add or remove folders you want others in your network to have access to
  6. Under ‘users,' choose the level of access you want each user on the network to have

This is a good option for those with multiple Macs, but has a few downsides. First, you have to manage the settings from one Mac. You may also forget that another Mac has read-only access to a folder, which has to be controlled from the ‘main' Mac computer. That said, it's okay for those with a few Macs which are always on the same network.

Move Files Between Users Mac

Tools to sync data to Mac

Download a set of apps to transfer files from Mac to Mac. Only the most secure solutions in the pack.

The Mac is meant to be portable, and we're sure you're mobile as well. That's why we prefer Dropshare, a cloud hosting service that allows you to upload files and folders from your Mac. You can use its own cloud hosting, which is free with Setapp, or use Dropshare to access third-party storage such as Amazon S3. Movavi photo editor 5 7 – image editor software. By dragging a folder onto Dropshare on one Mac and copying it from Dropshare on another Mac, you'll ensure that all the files within it are in sync. You will, of course, need to remember to drag the most recent version of the folder to Dropshare whenever you move to the other Mac.

Another great app is Path Finder, a highly customizable file management app for power users. It integrates with Dropbox, and has a really clever queue for files you want to share to other Macs. This allows you to manage and share tons of files without accidentally sharing files with other computers that should remain private. The smart FolderSync feature helps you share files in batches, and syncs them across multiple computers or disks.

Sync folders between Macs

Syncing and sharing are similar, but have unique differences. Sharing allows you to share files managed by a user; syncing allows other Macs to add to a folder.

The aforementioned file sharing will sync files from one Mac to another, but using a cloud storage system to sync folders is smarter. iCloud allows for this for Macs using the same iCloud account. Google Drive and Dropbox are better for managing shared folders for multiple users.

We prefer ChronoSync Express for syncing folders across multiple Macs. It has time-based event handling for backup and sync, and runs on any Mac with ChronoSync Express installed. It's a great option for those who have multiple iMacs or Mac Pros that aren't portable; if you have an iMac at work and a MacBook at home, ChronoSync Express is perfect.

How to move your content to a new Mac

Apple's built-in Migration Assistant can help you transfer data from an old mac to a new one. We'll walk you through the basics of using Migration Assistant.

On your new Mac:

  1. Under Applications, select ‘Migration Assistant'
  2. Select ‘from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk'
  3. Select ‘Continue'

https://placicmolci1973.wixsite.com/downloaddis/post/how-to-get-photoshop-cc-on-mac-for-free-2018. On your old Mac:

  1. Open Migration Assistant
  2. Select ‘to another Mac'
  3. Select ‘Continue'

On your new Mac:

  1. When prompted, select the Mac you're transferring content from
  2. Select ‘Continue'

Note: You may see a security code on your old and new Macs. Make sure they're the same code, and proceed as the on-screen directions suggest.

Make sure your old and new Macs select each other as the original or destination source, and select ‘Continue' in the window. The migration will start. Please note this process can take a day or longer, and you may be required to connect your Macs with a USB cable.

Before you begin this process, we suggest you use AnyTrans to backup your iPhone content. It makes porting content from an iPhone to your new Mac a breeze, and is a smart option when you decide to upgrade your iPhone.

Keeping files and folders synced is important. Apple's own tooling makes it possible, but it's pretty clumsy and limited. That's why we prefer to manage and sync files through third-party apps.

Luckily, all the apps mentioned here – ChronoSync Express, Forklift, Dropshare, AnyTrans, and Path Finder – are available for free via a seven day trial of Setapp, the leading suite of productivity apps for the Mac. Once the free trial has ended, Setapp is only $9.99 per month for continued unlimited access to its full catalog of nearly 200 apps.

So there you go — lots of options for syncing files between two Macs, two iOS devices and even between a Mac and an iOS device. Choose the one that best meets your needs and give it a go.

Setapp lives on Mac and iOS. Please come back from another device.

Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.

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Home > Articles > Operating Systems, Server > MAC OS X/Other

  1. Transferring Your Documents
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If you are switching from Windows to Mac and you need to get your files or other bits of information off your old machine onto your new Mac, this chapter shows you how. You'll also learn how to transfer files from a friend's Windows computer to yours without needing to set up a network.
This chapter is from the book
MacMost.com Guide to Switching to the Mac
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book

If this is your first Mac, but not your first computer, chances are that your old machine runs Windows. You may have old files on your Windows machine—your contact list, calendar events, even your browser bookmarks.

You don't have to leave those behind. You can take them with you to your new Mac. There are many methods for bringing files and information over from your old Windows machine.

Transferring Your Documents

There are two ways to move files from a Windows computer to a Mac: the hard way and the easy way. The hard way is to set both machines up on the same network, get both machines to recognize each other, and transfer files.

You'd think with both Mac and Windows being so mature and advanced that this would be easy. But networks vary so much and are so complex that it can be rather frustrating.

Chapter 13 describes how to network Macs and PCs. If you plan on keeping your Windows computer around and transferring files between them often, you probably want to put the time in now to figure it out. Otherwise, there is an easier way.

The easy method is to use a small and cheap USB flash drive to copy files from your PC to your Mac. They can be bought for $10 to $40, depending on the size. And they will continue to be handy for bringing files to and from work, sharing between friends, and for bringing files along with you away from your Mac.

Copying Files with a USB Flash Drive

When you have a flash drive, the first thing you may need to do is format it in such a way so it can be read by both Mac and Windows machines. Windows cannot read a Mac-formatted disk, but Macs can read a Windows-formatted one. So, if it needs to be formatted at all, you need to format it as FAT32.

You can do this in Disk Utility on your Mac, where it is called MS-DOS (FAT) format, but it is probably easier to just reformat the drive on your Windows machine. It may even already be formatted FAT32 if you just brought it home from the store.

Connect the drive to a USB port on your Windows machine. If it is not in a Windows-readable format, you will be asked to reformat it now. Go ahead and do that, but realize that any data you may have had stored on the drive before will now be gone.

Now you should see the drive show up under My Computer on your Windows machine. In Windows XP, it will look something like Figure 8.1, where you can see the drive as F:.

Figure 8.1 In Windows XP you can see a flash drive show up under My Computer.

Also in My Computer you should see a folder with your name followed by the word 'Documents.' If you have stored all of your files in Windows in your document folders, they should all be there.

Simply drag and drop the whole folder with your name on it on to the removable flash drive. They should copy right over.

Then, think about where else on your Windows machine you would have documents. Have you been storing files in some other part of the drive, outside of you're Documents folder? Think about it and also look around to see what you can find. You can always come back later if you are not getting rid of your PC right away.

Then remove the drive by right-clicking on it in the My Computer window and selecting Eject. Wait a few seconds and then disconnect it from the USB slot.

Next, plug it into your Mac's USB slot. It should appear as a device on the left side of all of your Finder windows. You can then drag and drop documents from there into any folder on your Mac. I recommend putting them all in a 'From Windows' folder in your Documents folder in your user folder.

If you also want to bring over photos, videos, and music, you can place them in those folders as well, though you should read later in this chapter about how to get photos and music into iPhoto and iTunes.

Alternate File Transfer Methods

Vpn for computer mac. A flash drive isn't the only way to transfer files from a Windows machine to a Mac. Here are some more options.

  • Full-sized hard disk—You are buying an external drive to use for Time Machine backups anyway, right? Before you start, just format it for Windows as FAT32 the same way you would format a flash drive. Then use the full-sized drive to get your files over to your Mac before letting Time Machine reformat it for backup use.
  • Local network—If you can connect both computers to the same network, turn file sharing on for both, and you can connect successfully, this is the best method. See Chapter 13, 'Networking and File Sharing,' for details.
  • Bluetooth file sharing—If your Windows computer has Bluetooth, a wireless communications method, you can attempt to send single files back and forth.
  • iDisk—If you are a MobileMe user, you can access your MobileMe storage space on both Mac and Windows computers. Then just transfer files from your Windows machine to your iDisk, and then from your iDisk to your Mac.
  • Email—If you have email working on your Windows machine and your Mac, consider just attaching files to an email and sending them to yourself.
  • File-sharing website—Some websites allow you to upload files, for a fee, to make them publicly or privately available to others. You could simply send or share a file to yourself this way, from one machine to the next. Check out http://yousendit.com, http://www.box.net, http://www.jungledisk.com, and many others.
  • Special hardware—For a price you can get a special cable that will allow you to connect a Windows computer and a Mac. One is the Belkin Switch-to-Mac Cable. Another is the iTornado.
  • Burn a CD—If your PC has a CD or DVD burner in it and you know how to use it, you can burn a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM with all of your files on it. This is also a good way to archive your PC's files before retiring the PC in favor of your new Mac.
  • Apple Genius—The Apple Store offers to do the file transfers for you for free. Just make an appointment at the Genius Bar and bring both your new Mac and old PC. See Chapter 25, 'Getting Help,' for more about the Genius Bar.
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Time Machine and Migration Assistant can be useful if you want to copy your entire setup from one computer to another. But if you'd prefer to clean house with a new machine and just transfer user preferences to your new Mac, you can. You just need to know which files to move.

If you want to copy over absolutely everything, this probably isn't the method for you – Migration Assistant will work a little better. But if you want to transfer user preferences and data to a new macOS install, this should get you there. You just have to know which files you need and where to find them.

User preferences, if your curious, include all the different options you've used to configure your system, like Dock preferences, keyboard shortcuts, desktop backgrounds and more. You might use these procedure to 'clone' an existing user to a new account on the same physical Mac, or you could transfer the user preferences to a brand new Mac install. Your choice.

Setting Up Your New Mac

Because you'll be copying over the exact settings from your old Mac, you need to make sure your new Mac's user is configured in the same way as your old user. The most important thing here is the account name, or 'short name,' of your account. Some macOS options and third-party applications reference your short name, and if it's not the same, those references will be ineffective or buggy.

If you're not sure what your short name, look at the name of your home folder. That will be the same as your account name.

Before your transfer user preferences, make sure that the account name for your new account is exactly the same as your existing account.

Prepare Your Transfer Media

We'll need an external storage medium to transfer user preferences and data to our new Mac. The easiest way to handle this process is over a USB flash drive, but an external hard drive will work just as well. You could even use network storage, but transferring 20 GB over Wi-Fi isn't much fun. Make sure your drive is formatted as HFS+ and large enough to contain all the files you plan to copy over.

As we copy files, we should try to recreate the file path for those files. This will make it easier to place the files in the same location when we transfer them to our new user account, and avoid misplacing (and losing) preference files.

For example, if you have a file from /Users/alexander/Library/Preferences, you could put that in a folder with the exact same file path.

Transfer the Home Folder

Most users store their files in their home directory, so copying it to your new Mac is a no-brainer first step.

1. Create a user folder on your transfer media (/Users/alexander in this example).

2. Copy everything in the user's home folder except the Library folder to your transfer media. You can copy the files by dragging and dropping, just as you would with a normal directory.

Transfer User Preferences

We will deal with your Library folder next. Under macOS, user preferences can be stored in a couple of places. The canonical location is ~/Library/Preferences, and that's the directory most macOS system applications use.

1. Click Go to folder… in Finder's Go menu.

2. Type in ~/Library/Preferences to navigate to the correct folder. We're using the tilde here to represent the home directory (/Users/alexander in this example).

3. Inside this folder, you'll find a ton of Property Lists or PLISTs. These are the actual files that contain your preferences.

4. We need to copy these PLIST files to our transfer media. There are two paths we can take here:

Copy over every file. You're guaranteed not to miss anything, but you'll probably grab a lot of stuff that you don't need, like PLISTs for applications you're not transferring to the new user account. These files shouldn't hurt anything, but the do clutter up your system unnecessarily.

OR

Copy everything that starts with com.apple. These are the preferences that relate solely to macOS system programs, like the Dock and Finder. This also includes the preferences for other Apple software products like Final Cut Pro and GarageBand. This is my preferred method, and it grabs the most relevant stuff.

Whichever route you choose, copy your selected files into the /Users/[username]/Library/Preferences directory on your transfer media (/Users/alexander/Library/Preferences in this example).

Transfer Applications (optional)

Copying applications is tricky, and I don't typically recommend it. Some applications install in a pell-mell fashion, scattering files all around your system that are impossible to find. Worse still, applications will sometimes complete disregard copied preference files. It's really best to just do a fresh install of your applications.

If you must copy an application manually, you should try to copy the application itself as well as any associated files. We can re-purpose AppCleaner to help us find files associated with a given application.

AppCleaner helps users uninstall applications by revealing all the files associated with a given app. It works by searching a few specific places for files that include the application's name.

1. Search for an application's files by dropping its icon onto the AppCleaner window.

2. AppCleaner will produce a list of files associated with that application. To reveal a file's location in Finder, click the magnifying glass button.

Mac Terminal Move File

3. Copy the appropriate files onto your transfer media, taking care to copy the files to the right directories. Also make sure to copy the actual application from the /Applications/ directory

It can be challenging to identify files you need and files you don't need. Some files, like logs, crash reports, or anything stored in /var/, won't be necessary for your new account. All these components will get rebuilt on the new system as needed. The files in ~Library/Application Support/ normally aren't necessary either.

Pro tip: don't try to copy professional-grade applications or applications with complex DRM (I'm looking at you, Adobe CC). Programs like that litter your system with files, and it's hard to get them all. There's also licensing files you probably can't access. Fortunately, most professional applications allow you to copy user preferences like keyboard shortcuts and workspaces individually. Grab those, but don't try to copy the whole application.

Finishing Up

Mac Move Files Without Copy

Once you have your transfer media loaded up, copy everything onto your new system and reboot to transfer user preferences. If you've made your directory structure properly, you can just copy the root directories from your transfer media to your new Mac, and all the files will fall into their correct locations.





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