Introduction
This guide is for Mac users who want to share files between computers using an external drive. We'll go over the key concepts and provide a step-by-step process to help you get started.
Prerequisites
Before we begin, ensure the following:
- Both Mac computers are connected to the same network.
- The external drive is formatted for Mac (HFS+ or APFS).
Step 1: Set up Home Sharing
1. On the Mac that you want to share files from, go to System Preferences > Sharing. Select "Home Sharing" and create a user name and password.
2. On the other Mac, go to Finder > Go > Home, then enter the shared user name and password in the respective fields.
Step 2: Mount the External Drive
1. Connect the external drive to the Mac that you want to use. If it doesn't automatically mount, go to Finder > Go > Computers and select the external drive.
Step 3: Share the External Drive
1. On the Mac with the connected external drive, go to System Preferences > Sharing > File Sharing. Add the external drive to the list of shared volumes.
Step 4: Access Shared Files
1. On the other Mac, go to Finder > Go > Network. Find the shared Mac in the list and connect to it.
2. Navigate to the shared folder on the external drive.
Summary
By following these steps, you've set up file sharing between two Mac computers using an external drive. This method is convenient for sharing files when you're at home and both computers are connected to the same network.