I have a Macbook Pro and iMac on my network, current version of Monterrey on each, and wish to transfer some large files from one to the other simply using Finder
But in "locations" neither sees the other. Is it possible to move files that way? If not I am stuck using "sneakernet". For personal reasons I dont wish to use iCloud.
MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 12.6
Files of other users or located on other Macs are PRIVATE.
If you wish to "share" that is, make available for others to see and use, you would need to set that up in:
system preferences > Sharing > File sharing.
Keep in mid that Usernames on different Macs, even if spelled the same, are NOT the same User, and the credentials required to get access are the login credential on the Mac holding the files (even though the screen demanding the credentials is shown on the destination Mac).
Set up file sharing on Mac - Apple Support
Files of other users or located on other Macs are PRIVATE.
If you wish to "share" that is, make available for others to see and use, you would need to set that up in:
system preferences > Sharing > File sharing.
Keep in mid that Usernames on different Macs, even if spelled the same, are NOT the same User, and the credentials required to get access are the login credential on the Mac holding the files (even though the screen demanding the credentials is shown on the destination Mac).
Set up file sharing on Mac - Apple Support
USB-C is a LOCAL peripheral interface. it is not adequate for Mac-to-Mac file transfer.
If you have Thunderbolt ports on both Macs, those CAN be connected with ThunderBolt cables to do fast file transfers. You may need to add "Thunderbolt Bridge" to the list of devices in:
system preferences > network
File transfer via Wi-Fi can take a remarkably long elapsed time, and some users hate the process for that.
You may be able to shorten that elapsed time by connecting BOTH Macs to your Router with Ethernet cabling.
TB3 and TB4. so I just ordered a TB cable,
Thanks for your help.
BTW re "sharing". Too many steps and, as I recall, what was required was not clear. Anyway, that would still be wifi and this should be faster.
Through the router might work if the imac was in the same location, which it is not.
would direct cable work without having to go through the sharing steps? If so, I would have to have USBC male on both ends of the cable. I have a need to do this fairly often. Maybe I will just have to try sharing again since I assume cabled transfer throughput would be faster than via Wi-Fi.
T
Thanks Grant. However, I have tried the sharing method in the past and found it cumbersome at best, even when being talked through it with Apple support.
<< cumbersome >>
what part did you find cumbersome?, and
what do you mean by that?
best way to transfer large files between imacs
