File sharing - SMB & SFTP not working...

There is a difference to show network sharing is setup on Mac versus Windows.

The same is discussed here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250714408

This thread can now be closed.

Thanks for the reply.

That link mostly talks of connecting from Mac to other devices, which is working fine on my Mac. The problem is with connecting to it from other devices.

I have even tried turning off the built-in firewall, but that did not help. There is probably some setting that needs to be configured which I have not done. But based on all that I could find on the Internet, I have tried all of it (there isn’t anything more than what I have done which is stated in the OP).

Anyone who has successfully set up a shared folder, can help with a step by step guide on how he/ she made it work.

If I run this command on terminal:

sftp localhost

I get this:

The authenticity of host 'localhost (::1)' can't be established.

ECDSA key fingerprint is: SHA256:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Are you sure you want to continue connecting?

What does this mean and what should I do?

I turned on AFP when I was unable to connect. That didn't help. Upon your suggestion, I turned it OFF again, but that hasn't helped. As far as I know, macOS prefers SMB over AFP, so not sure if keeping AFP on would make any difference.

That said, my network configurations are fine and the issue is definitely with my Mac settings. I say this because my Mac can connect to all my other devices and those devices can connect with each other as well without any issues. The only connection that isn't working is incoming connections on the Mac. I tried turning off the firewall but that did not help either.

I tried both SMB and SFTP connections using my Mac username and password. The devices can see my Mac but unable to connect.

I even used the "Get info" window for the shared folder and enabled 'Sharing' box there. I am not sure if this was necessary because the folder was already allowed for sharing under system preferences. Ideally, when making a change under system preference, it should also reflect under 'Get Info', isn't it?

Here are the device details:

MacBook Pro running macOS 10.14.6, APFS file system (shared folder is on an unencrypted partition)

iPhone running iOS 13.1.2

Windows 10 Build 1809

Thanks.

UPDATE

I was using the wrong username to login. I was using my iCloud account name instead of the username (name of the Home directory under Users). I am now able to connect to my Mac from other devices. Thanks for all the inputs.

Now I have another problem:

Everything on my Mac is visible over the network, and more importantly I am able to delete any file I want from another device. All my partitions and their contents, including the Startup Disk (Macintosh HD) are visible. I have enabled just one folder under System Preferences/ Sharing. That too with only "Read" permissions. I can understand if the "Public" folders of all user accounts are automatically visible with "Read & Write" permissions (because they are listed under System Preferences/ Sharing).

But I don't understand why every folder and file on my Mac are showing up on the other devices, and that too with 'Delete' permissions. Please help.

Thanks.