Folder sharing for newbies

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Vlad1993 Author

Level 1

11 points

Folder sharing for newbies

Hi. I've never used folder sharing on my mac before and initially got interested because I want to find a way to stream media files from my mac to a smart tv / android tv (when AirPlay is either not built in, or requires additional paid software to use). And though this is my current need, I'm curious to learn to use the feature in general)

So, I start by choosing a folder with media files, open Properties and toggle "Shared folder". I go to the System Settings -> General -> Sharing. File Sharing is toggled on. I click Options: the folder I've shared earlier is there, "Share files and folders using SMB" is on.

Now, let's say I launch a VLC player on my Andriod TV (or on my iPhone just to check it's not a compatibility issue). I guess it works in various ways, this is just the one I started with. The devices (my Macbook, my iPhone and my Smart TV) are all connected to the same wifi network. There in the "Local servers" I see two servers. One is called MacBook Air – [MyUserName], listed as SMB. Another – for some reason – MACBOOKAIR-F9BB, listed as "FILE SERVERS (SMB)".

But when I try to connect to any of them, nothing happens. The device keeps trying to connect for a while and never succeeds.

So, since I am new to this, I'm not sure if this is a bug, or I'm just doing some basic stuff wrong. Please, bear with me and help me figure out :)

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 14.5

Posted on Jul 28, 2024 11:24 AM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,618 points

Jul 28, 2024 11:29 AM in response to Vlad1993

You need to pass your Mac account username and password to connect. Is that what you are doing?

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,618 points

Jul 29, 2024 5:44 PM in response to Vlad1993

Here is how I would share from any Mac.

Create a folder in /Users/Shared.

In Users & Groups, create a new Sharing Only user.

In File Sharing, add that folder to the list of shares.

Set the Sharing Only user to that folder with r/w (in File Sharing).

Attempt to connect to that share from another Mac.

I don't know if that will fix the problem trying to connect from your iPhone. I can connect to my shares from another Mac, but not from my iPhone. I had no idea that was even possible.

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,618 points

Jul 29, 2024 5:01 AM in response to Vlad1993

Try toggling File Sharing off then back on.

You won’t connect from an App, just from whatever file manager used on the host.

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Answer 4

Vlad1993 Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 29, 2024 2:08 AM in response to Barney-15E

Yes. E.g. when I try accessing the shared folders in VLC (as described above) it doesn't seem to require the username and password. Still I tried to put my Mac's username and password in – nothing changes.

Also, as an experiment, I've tried to connect through the Files app on my iPhone. I'm going "Connect to the server". Then, in Mac's settings of shared folders it says the address is smb://192.168.1.38, which I enter in the Files app on iPhone. Then I choose "As the registered user" instead of "As the guest", enter username and password – still can't connect (it gives "Socket is not connected" error after a while).

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Answer 5

Vlad1993 Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 29, 2024 9:45 AM in response to Barney-15E

Nope, nothing changes.

In VLC, for instance, the server disappears from the list when File Sharing is toggled off, and reappears when it's on. But still can't connect.

You won’t connect from an App, just from whatever file manager used on the host.

Can you explain, please? I suppose the host is the device I'm sharing the folder from (in my case – Macbook)? Can't I access the shared folder from an app (e.g. VLC Player on the TV or iOS' Files app)?

P.S. Just to confirm: the username is my Mac's account username (also used in the "/Users" folder) and the password is also the one used to Log into the System?

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Answer 6

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,618 points

Jul 29, 2024 1:07 PM in response to Vlad1993

What I mean is you are going to connect to the server, your MacBook, from the file manager on whatever device you are using. That’s gonna create some sort of mount point or share in the file system which you will access from the app. VLC has a lot of different ways of connecting to stream and may have a way to directly connect, but you are sharing over SMB not one of the streaming protocols.

Once you connect to your MacBook, it will appear as a drive or similar location on the client device.

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Answer 7

Vlad1993 Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 29, 2024 3:47 PM in response to Barney-15E

I've also just experimented with the iOS Documents app, which should be able to connect to SMB servers exactly as described:

Still, it can't connect just the same. The issue seems to be not with the client, but with the Macbook being the server

[Edited by Moderator]

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