There are 2 Users accounts on my MacBook Pro and File Sharing on and Allow Full Disk Access for all Users are selected for both User accounts. So, as I understand, I save a folder from User A to the Public Folder/ Dropbox (tried it both ways) and it should then be visible on User B account but it's not. I'm missing something but can't see what...
It's quite maddening so if someone can help...
MacBook Pro 16″
Which user’s Public folder?
Best way to share files to users on same Mac is to use the /Users/Shared folder. You don’t need File Sharing at all.
Also note that you won’t be able to edit the shared files by both users in either setup. The owner will be able to edit but the other user must make a copy.
You can set up an Access Control List (ACL) to facilitate that type of File Server behavior if needed.
Which user’s Public folder?
Best way to share files to users on same Mac is to use the /Users/Shared folder. You don’t need File Sharing at all.
Also note that you won’t be able to edit the shared files by both users in either setup. The owner will be able to edit but the other user must make a copy.
You can set up an Access Control List (ACL) to facilitate that type of File Server behavior if needed.
You were right, of course. The best way is using the Shared folder but couldn't work out how to access it at first. All I needed to do was Menu>Go>Go to Folder then/Users/Shared hit return. Sorry but I struggle – even after all these years – with basic OS commands :(
As Barney recommended, and you have experienced already, the Shared folder is to way to go.
This note is just to explain why you weren't seeing the contents of the Public folder: it is set explicitly as a "drop box", ie. another user can drop files there (write) but cannot see what is in there (cannot read the folder). This is like a real life mailbox.
Thanks for getting back. So I add folder 'test' to Public folder on User A then log out and sign-in to User B and there's no 'test' folder in its Public folder. Isn't it supposed to work this way?
User A
User B
I'm going to experiment with the Dropbox. I'm trying to, not only share files between Users, but also connect a new MacBook Pro and iMac 24 – more anguish – and a story for another Post. Thanks for getting back.
Michael McMann1 wrote:
There are 2 Users accounts on my MacBook Pro
That is mostly a relict from the ancient days of Unix. Modern Apple devices only allow a single user at a time. Trying to do otherwise is a recipe for disappointment.
Sorry – and probably a misunderstanding on my part – but my wife is one User on my MBP and I'm the other User account so we just logout and switch accounts. Aare you suggesting we shouldn't be doing that?
etresoft wrote:
Michael McMann1 wrote:
There are 2 Users accounts on my MacBook Pro
That is mostly a relict from the ancient days of Unix. Modern Apple devices only allow a single user at a time. Trying to do otherwise is a recipe for disappointment.
What?????
macOS is a multiuser OS. While probably most Macs are used by a single person, one can have multiple user accounts on the same mac. That is the proper setting for a mac used by several members of a family, for example.
Moreover, every mac should have at least a second admin account set up. This can be a life savior in case something bad happens to the main user account. Been there, done that.
Not only that: multiple users can even use the same mac at the same time, with the GUI and not just via ssh.
I have very recently used a Mac Studio using vnc, while another user was also logged in with a GUI. No problem whatsoever. Not something that would happen often, but a possibility nonetheless.
Michael McMann1 wrote:
Sorry – and probably a misunderstanding on my part – but my wife is one User on my MBP and I'm the other User account so we just logout and switch accounts. Aare you suggesting we shouldn't be doing that?
You would both have a better experience if you each had your own device.
Luis Sequeira1 wrote:
What?????
macOS is a multiuser OS. While probably most Macs are used by a single person, one can have multiple user accounts on the same mac. That is the proper setting for a mac used by several members of a family, for example.
LOL! macOS had been dead for years. I'm talking about iOS, where every person has their own device. iOS, tvOS, visionOS, homeOS, macOS - it's all just branding and marketing these days.
Yes, the Mac does have some legacy "features". The assumption is that those legacy users are already familiar with them and know how they work. But they're not appropriate for the vast majority of users.
Throughout the operating system, the idea that multiple users can even exist in the first place is more and more a foreign concept. The people developing macOS at Apple are, themselves, much younger and more likely to be more familiar with iOS.
So more and more often, those legacy practices like multiple users, multiple boot partitions, external boot drives, moving user folders, etc. really aren't supported anymore. Yeah, when they break, you can file a bug report. It won't ever get fixed.
Moreover, every mac should have at least a second admin account set up. This can be a life savior in case something bad happens to the main user account. Been there, done that.
Certainly. But that's exactly the point. That other user shouldn't ever be used except in an emergency.
Not only that: multiple users can even use the same mac at the same time, with the GUI and not just via ssh.
Oh you're playing with fire there. Playing with fire.
I have very recently used a Mac Studio using vnc, while another user was also logged in with a GUI. No problem whatsoever. Not something that would happen often, but a possibility nonetheless.
That's just luck. Just because you didn't notice any problem doesn't mean it's a recommended practice.
I tried Shared folder too but couldn't copy file into it.
How to share files between Users on same MacBook Pro
