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Networking an iPad with a Mac?
- Thread starter kat.hayes
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If just photos or simple (?) things: use Airdrop. Should be on both machines and works almost instantly.
For browsing I think only files that are in iCloud....files on each within iCloud Drive can be browsed easily by each.
Kat, see my reply below. Addressed to Slartibart by mistake.
Just enable sharing on the Mac and connect to it with Files app from the iPad.
i do this all the time.
Files App, click on the three dots symbol and “connect to server”
enter the smb address of your Mac and your credentials.
then the Mac file system will be fully accessible from the iPad
Edit: they must be on the same network
i do this all the time.
Files App, click on the three dots symbol and “connect to server”
enter the smb address of your Mac and your credentials.
then the Mac file system will be fully accessible from the iPad
Edit: they must be on the same network
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'Files App" (?) or 'Bluetooth File Exchange'?
Got it...you mean 'Sharing' under System prefs.....Right?
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On the Mac: enable sharing under system prefs
on the iPad: use Files App to access the Mac
Thanks! I was looking for the 'Files App' on the Mac😀! Wondering how I never saw it before!
Daily.
All of my data is stored on a Mac mini that works as my main server.
Most of it is also on the cloud (OneDrive) but not the sensitive data nor other temporary files (e.g. for video editing)
Through the Files App I can access, edit, create any type of file stored on either OneDrive or either of my two macs.
I am not home to try, though for clarification, are you saying that you can use the Files app on an iPad that is on the same network as a Mac to read and transfer files back and forth? Does this also work with external drives connected to the Mac. If so, this is exactly what I need!
Yes, as long as the Mac has file sharing enabled for the specific drives. Works with external drives too!
I used my MacBook Pro, which I use to network with the Mac to get the smb address from Go > Connect to Server
I copy the address smb://Kat’s iMac Pro._smb._tcp.local
and I paste it into the connect to server field on the files app on the ipad
however, it gives me an error that the operation can't be completed because this URL is not valid.
I go back to my MacBook Pro and check the IP address that shows under Network and I try entering this on the files app in the connect to server field
this takes me to the screen that asks me for a username and password
1. why is the SMB address not working on the iPad though it works on the MacBook Pro when connecting to the iMac?
2. Which username and password is it wanting me to enter when I try to log in from my iPad? The username and password for the iMac I am trying to log into or what?
Thanks!
I copy the address smb://Kat’s iMac Pro._smb._tcp.local
and I paste it into the connect to server field on the files app on the ipad
however, it gives me an error that the operation can't be completed because this URL is not valid.
I go back to my MacBook Pro and check the IP address that shows under Network and I try entering this on the files app in the connect to server field
this takes me to the screen that asks me for a username and password
1. why is the SMB address not working on the iPad though it works on the MacBook Pro when connecting to the iMac?
2. Which username and password is it wanting me to enter when I try to log in from my iPad? The username and password for the iMac I am trying to log into or what?
Thanks!
Don't have to be on the same network. Currently using Files on my iPhone via cellular.
As far as I am aware this is only possible if you allow "remote login", which I don't.
***Ignore the URL you see on the mbp***
On the Mac you want to access (the iMac?) go to System Preferences/sharing and tick "File sharing" and "Media sharing" (This is sufficient for what you want to do).
If you click over "file sharing" on the left of the window, this writing will appear to the right: "Other users can access shared folders on this computer, and administrators all volumes, at smb://name-of-your-computer.broadband" Make a note of this address (the format might be different). This is what you need to use on the iPad to connect to this computer.
Normally this name has no spaces and no special symbols other than the dash -
On the iPad, use the address above as the server address in the Files app.
On the next screen select "connect as: Registered User"
It will ask you for a Name and Password, these are the credentials you normally use on the iMac to log in.
Not related. You are not logging into the system. This is all via iCloud. On your Mac Preference/AppleID/iCloud Drive/Options/Desktop & Documents Folders
Precisely.
it has nothing to do with what I was suggesting as a solution for the OP and with the question that the OP was asking me.
However it is yet another option.
It worked. Thanks so much!!!
only thing that didn’t work was the media sharing checkbox was greeted out so I could not enable it, though I can still double click on video files and watch them, so I am not sure what the Media Sharing option does.
only thing that didn’t work was the media sharing checkbox was greeted out so I could not enable it, though I can still double click on video files and watch them, so I am not sure what the Media Sharing option does.