Catalina file sharing permissions issue/question revisited

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Level 1

14 points

Catalina file sharing permissions issue/question revisited

Hi,

I posted a question regarding my inability to read the contents of folders on a wifi networked iMac from my MBP (and vice versa) December 1, 2019. The problem arose after upgrading to Catalina (now 10.15.3) on both machines. I've tried the suggestions provided from two response (thank you) without success. File sharing is turned on for both, including the folders.

Both machines can see the other, including the primary folders, but when clicking on a folder I see just the folder icon with no entry (two dashes) against dates for 'Created' and 'Modified'. This is on both machines. When I double click on the primary folder e.g. Documents, I get a pop-up stating "The operation can't be completed because the original item for "Documents" can't be found." But it's (they are) there with the shared folder checkbox ticked.

I have no idea what the pop-up message means, or why it is appearing. The info for the folder(s) clearly indicates both dates and times. This is the case for both machines.

I would prefer not to do a reinstall or recover of the OS if I can avoid it, so any and all assistance will be very much welcomed.

Thanks

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Mar 1, 2020 6:42 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 1, 2020 8:06 PM in response to GeoBrett

Hello, GeoBrett.

Sorry to know you're having this problem with file sharing between your Macs.

It sounds like you've been working on the issue for some time so I don't know if I have much to offer. But I will tell you that I have a wi-fi networked iMac and MBP myself and they successfully share files wirelessly between them, so there is hope.

At the risk of linking you to something you've already seen, I'll share this support document with you.

Set up file sharing on Mac – Apple Support

Something of note is the requirement in Catalina that shared folders on APFS volumes are shared by SMB only. When I did the initial setup that seemed to be a key to success.

Here also are a couple screen shots of my iMacs' System Preferences > Sharing configuration.

Good luck, my friend.

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Answer 2

Mar 2, 2020 9:38 PM in response to GeoBrett

Okay, did a little more checking and recalled that when you ctrl-click (right click) a Shared Folder you get the pop up menu that included Advanced Options... And in there I have checkmarked Allow guest users.

Maybe this is helpful?

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Answer 3

wyeknott

Level 1

40 points

Mar 2, 2020 9:47 PM in response to GeoBrett

I have this issue too but not always on both computers. I find that SOMETIMES Restarting one or both computers will get it working as before but sooner or later it fails again.

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Answer 4

GeoBrett Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 2, 2020 7:25 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

Hi D.I.Johnson,

Thank you for your reply.

No luck unfortunately. My sharing configuration is exactly like yours. Double checked and restarted both machines without any change. It's intriguing that I can see the other machine form the the 'other' machine, plus the base directories, but the Info shows Zero bytes for Desktop, Documents and Folder, but strangely enough the contents of the foldersMovies, Pictures do show their contents just fine.

The three folders that ostensibly have no content have that little blue, downward pointing arrow in the bottom right hand corner of the folder icon. This looks like it means something like download (from somewhere...) Hmmm...

Thanks for your reply again, my friend also. I may just have to go down a drastic route, or resort to airdropping when I need to swap files.

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Answer 5

May 4, 2020 1:07 PM in response to GeoBrett

I am having this exact problem on a new mac mini 2020 and a mbp. It worked fine when I was doing some initial setup of the mini but now I just keep getting an error about the item, like the public folder, not being found. My file sharing setup is exactly like DIJ described above, even the right-click stuff.

Has anyone figured out why this is happening and what the fix is?

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Answer 6

GeoBrett Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 4, 2020 9:38 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

Hi DIJ,

Sorry, been offline for a while. Will give what you suggest a go.

Cheers

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Catalina file sharing permissions issue/question revisited

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