Tommy Bahama
Level 1 (9 points)
Desktops

Q: Linking iMac to Macbook Pro

Im sure you can tell from this question that Im new to this Macbook Pro that I just got but hopefully someone can help me.  I was wondering if there is an app or a program that will allow me to take my Macbook pro out of the house and somehow be able to hook it up to where I can see what is on my iMac and get files and look at folders on my iMac while I am out with my Macbook Pro?  I hope I didnt make this question too confusing but basically Id like to be able to use my Macbook Pro away from my home but be able to connect to my iMac at my home and be able to access things on my iMac just like I was there, only from my Macbook Pro.  If I havent confused anyone with this question, if anyone could help me with an answer I would really appreciate it.  Thank you in advance.

Posted on Aug 17, 2016 2:53 PM

by Carolyn Samit,Apple recommended
Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit
Level 10 (122,093 points)
Apple Music
A:

You can setup Back to My Mac.

 

Instructions here > Set up and use Back to My Mac - Apple Support

Posted on Aug 17, 2016 2:54 PM

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Tommy Bahama

Q: Linking iMac to Macbook Pro

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Carolyn Samit,Apple recommended

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Aug 17, 2016 2:54 PM in response to Tommy Bahama
    Level 10 (122,093 points)
    Apple Music
    Aug 17, 2016 2:54 PM in response to Tommy Bahama

    You can setup Back to My Mac.

     

    Instructions here > Set up and use Back to My Mac - Apple Support

  • by Tommy Bahama,

    Tommy Bahama Tommy Bahama Aug 17, 2016 6:23 PM in response to Carolyn Samit
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 17, 2016 6:23 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

    Thank you for the quick reply but I read over that and I dont have an Apple router and what if I dont know if my router supports it or not?  Is there an easier way to do it with an app or anything like that?  As I said, I dont know a lot about this kind of thing as you can tell

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,Apple recommended

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Aug 17, 2016 8:01 PM in response to Tommy Bahama
    Level 9 (60,936 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 17, 2016 8:01 PM in response to Tommy Bahama

    or other Internet router that supports UPnP or NAT-PMP

     

    You don't need an Apple Router, any modern Router will do for access to files on a Mac.

     

    You will have to make some changes that will allow "foreign" network traffic (from your Mac in the field) to access your Mac on your Home Network. Back to My Mac will help you make those changes. Same sorts of changes you would need to make to play multiplayer games.

  • by FishingAddict,

    FishingAddict FishingAddict Aug 17, 2016 8:11 PM in response to Tommy Bahama
    Level 4 (1,549 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 17, 2016 8:11 PM in response to Tommy Bahama

    If you simply need for certain files to be available while away from the house, then a cloud solution like DropBox is a simple and highly effective solution.

     

    Or, if you choose to subscribe to Office 365, then you will get OneDrive cloud storage as part of your plan.

     

    I would only recommend remote desktop access like Back To My Mac if you really need to use applications that are only on your home Mac.  For file sharing/sync alone, it's hard to beat DropBox with selective sync configured to avoid filling your laptop's hard drive.