How To Share Files From Macbook To Iphone

Do you need to transfer files from Mac to Windows and vice-versa? There are a few different approaches you can take, but you can easily do a Mac to Windows file transfer using both operating systems' native tools.

Alternatively, there are a few third-party solutions worth checking out. Below, we'll explain how to transfer files from Mac to Windows, as well as how to transfer files from PC to Mac.

How to Transfer Files From Mac to Windows

The most obvious way to transfer files from Mac to Windows is to use the built-in functions that both operating systems offer.

However, this has one significant drawback. The process will only work if both the Mac and Windows computers are on the same local network. If they aren't, you can skip ahead to the section on third-party solutions below.

To share files between a Mac and PC, there are some settings that you'll need to tweak. You need to allow your Mac to share its files. Follow these steps to do this:

Click on the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen. Choose System Preferences > Sharing. Then, enable the checkbox next to File Sharing in the left panel.

Click on the Options button and, from the window that appears, enable the checkbox next to Share files and folders using SMB. In macOS Big Sur, Apple dropped the ability to share volumes via AFP. Although Catalina retained this ability, APFS-formatted volumes could not be shared over AFP.

In the Windows File Sharing section below, enable the checkbox alongside each user whose files you want to share. Enter the users' passwords and click Done. When you're sharing files with Windows computers, your Mac store the users' passwords in a less secure manner. On completion, we recommend you to deselect the user checkboxes.

You'll now be back on the Sharing window. Next, you need to choose which folders and users you're going to share with your Windows computer. Press the Plus (+) and Minus (–) buttons below Shared Folders and Shared Users to adjust your preferences.

Remember that all network access is controlled by the computer with the shared resources (in this case, it's your Mac); therefore, you must understand what Mac permissions have been applied to a folder. Finally, you need to make a note of your Mac's IP address. You will see this below the File Sharing: On message.

Access Mac Files on Windows

Now it's time to head to your Windows computer. Follow the instructions below to transfer files from Mac to Windows:

Open File Explorer. In the address bar at the top of the window, type \\ followed by your Mac's IP address. When you're done, it should look something like this: \\192.168.1.68. A new window will pop up asking for a username and password. Enter the user credentials exactly as they appear on your Mac.

File Explorer will display any folders and users that you've added to the Shared Folders and Shared Users lists on your Mac. You can map that folder as a network drive to move, edit, and copy folders like any other Windows folders.

Map Network Drive

Mapping a network folder makes it appear to other apps that the folder is part of your computer. Windows assigns a drive to the mapped folder, and you'll see it as a drive in the File Explorer.

Right-click the shared folder and click Map network drive. Select a drive from the Drive list. You can choose any letter that's not already in use.

The Folder box contains all the pre-filled information. Don't forget to check Reconnect at sign-in if you want Windows to connect to this shared folder automatically at the start of each login session.

Once you're done, just drag-and-drop files into one of your local folders to transfer files from Mac to Windows PC.

How to Transfer Files From PC to Mac

That wasn't too tough, right? Now let's look at the reverse process: how to transfer files from Windows to Mac.

To begin, you need to make sure that Network Discovery is turned on in Windows. Fire up your Windows PC and work through the following steps:

Open the Settings app and go to Network & Internet. On the left panel, click on Ethernet or Wi-Fi and then Change advanced sharing options located under Related settings.

Expand the Private Network menu and enable the checkboxes next to Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing. We don't recommend enabling network discovery or file sharing on public networks. They are typically far less secure than private networks. Click on Save changes.

To share folders on a case-by-case basis, right-click on the folder's name and go to Properties > Sharing > Network File and Folder Sharing > Share. Alternatively, you can use advanced sharing settings if you need to or if you prefer to have full control over sharing.

You'll also need to make a note of your Windows PC's IP address. Press Win + X and choose Command Prompt. Type in ipconfig and note down the IPv4 address.

Access Windows Files on Mac

Once you're happy with your sharing options, it's time to transfer your files from Windows PC to Mac. Follow the steps below on your Mac to do this:

Open the Finder app. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, select Go > Connect to Server. Type either smb://[IP address] or smb://[computer name] and press Enter. You will be prompted to enter your Windows username and password. Click on Connect.

Your shared Windows content will be available in the Shared section of Finder. To transfer files from your PC to your Mac, just drag and drop as needed.

The above methods work great if both Mac and Windows PC are on the same network. However, if they're not, try these methods and choose the ones that fit best for you.

1. Use a Cloud Storage Service

Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive all have dedicated apps available for both Windows and macOS. Just install them on the two systems and upload or download your files as needed. Be aware of the space taken up by these apps, and if you're running low on disk space, follow our guide on how to sync only specific files in Dropbox or Google Drive.

2. Use a USB Stick

A simple-but-effective solution for anyone who needs to transfer files from Mac to Windows quickly is to use a USB flash drive. Remember to choose exFAT file format, since it's compatible with both operating systems and lets you share huge files easily. Here are our recommendations on the best USB 3.0 flash drives available online.

Both Resilio Sync and Syncthing are the file syncing apps that let you share files between Windows and Mac. They use an encrypted key to manage the connection between devices. All you have to do is set up a sync folder and create a key.

Share the key with your other machine and nominate a folder. We have a guide on how to use Syncthing or Resilio sync for sharing files between devices if you're looking for more help.

Transfer Files Between Computer and Mobile

Hopefully, the various methods we've discussed will help you to share files between a Mac and a PC with ease. If you also need to do this with your phone, check out the easiest ways to transfer files between computers and mobile devices.

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