Mount an external drive to a specific directory?

symlinks are a low level kernel level file system abstraction and as such all applications, programs, launch daemons, launch agents, etc... that access the file system will see them as just another file, directory, device, FIFO, etc... Basically they will see the item the symbolic link points at and not know it was a symlink that got them there.

An program would have to use some specific low level file system calls to even know it was a symlink and then bypass it.

An Alias on the other hand is a GUI framework abstraction, and as such unless the program is using the user mode file manager framework, an Alias will just look like a regular file to a program that does not link to those frameworks and does not use those framworks function calls.

Of course nothing keeps the symlink from being accurate, or even having an actual file path stored in it, but that is a setup and maintenance issue. For example, if the target files is moved or renamed, the symlink does not have a clue. But an Alias my still find the file as the Alias often times uses multiple ways of identifying the file even when it is moved or renamed to somewhere on the same disk.

greyMediumMild PS. I vote for just using /Volumes as well.

And if there are multiple external devices with the same volume name, then change the volume names on the external devices to make them unique.

And if you really want to see things in /Users/Shared/Mounts, then use a symlink as suggested by Wilddrums above.

And I also tend to agree with HWTech about trying to work with macOS and not fight it. I have had to undo many things I did in the early days because I was a Unix software developer and I knew better. I didn't, I just thought I did 😀

What is wrong with it mounting at "/Volumes" which is the default? It is always there on every Mac. Unless you connect two drives with the same volume names you won't have any issues and it already does what you are looking for.

While it is possible to configure it on the "/Users/Shared/Mounts" using instructions from your link, you may find it could cause problems. macOS does not like unexpected things. Keep your system as simple as possible and use the macOS defaults. I learned a long time ago not to overly customize or overly complicate my macOS system configuration.

As for @Wilddrums' suggestion, I have found using symlinks doesn't always work properly with some apps.

If I understand your question, I suggest to create a Symbolic Link (Symlink) pointing to the external drive in place of trying to mount it in a specific folder. The result would be about the same.

You will find many instructions on how to create one on the Web. Do not hesitate here if you need more help.

WD

Wilddrums wrote:

I'm curious of what are the apps that cannot work properly with such a low level thing as a Symlink? Maybe malware?

WD

I honestly don't recall as it has been some time since the last time it happened. Most apps work do work with the symlink as expected. Obviously it happens with an app I don't use very often. I know that some command line utilities have options to follow or not to follow symlinks, but I had never seen it happen in a standard GUI app before. If I happen to remember the app I will let you know.

I'm curious of what are the apps that cannot work properly with such a low level thing as a Symlink? Maybe malware?

WD

No, Symlinks are not "shortcuts" or "redirects", they simply make a folder on the external drive to seamlessly looks like it is located on the local drive. The path will be all on the local drive. No sign of the external volume at all.

In a nutshell, you let the drive mount in the default folder and set a Symlink to that drive in the folder of your choice. If you do that on both computers, this will be transparent for all applications.

A little warning. While there are no issues with virtually all apps, some pro-apps like video editing, may expect some content to always be available and may react unexpectedly if the drive is disconnected. In most cases this will not be a real problem.

WD