28

Is there a quick an easy way to share files between two macs (OS X Lion) over wifi?

Improve this question
2

7 Answers 7

Reset to default
39

AirDrop

Open Finder on both Macs, on the left you'll see the AirDrop icon with the parachute and box. Click that on both macs and you should see each other. Then just drag files to the other computer's picture.

You don't even have to be on a wifi network at all, you just have to have wifi enabled on both Macs.

Edit: As mentioned below, not all Macs have AirDrop. The next best solution is to choose "Create Network" under the wifi menu on the Menu Bar (or join the same wifi network on both machines).

Then enable file sharing.

Now open finder and choose "network" on the left of a finder window, or in the top most folder (ctrl-click on the title at the top of the finder window, mine's called "Lance's MacbookPro") you should see "network" there.

Improve this answer
3
6

If your Macs are on the same network and the one you want to connect to has File Sharing enabled you should just be able to connect to one from the other in the sidebar under the shared menu. After you connected and select which volumn to mount it will mount it as a volume on the Mac you are using and then you can drag and drop to or from that volume.

Airdrop is not available on all Lion installs, it depends on the age of the Mac, see OS X Lion: Can I use AirDrop with my computer?

Improve this answer
2

Dropbox

Try Dropbox. It has LAN support (which Airdrop operates on) and a filesystem, so if you register an account, download the client for Mac onto both machines, setup the Dropbox folder to be somewhere handy (e.g. Desktop, where you can just drag-drop) it would be at least as speedy as Airdrop, and far more versatile, as it supports online uploading and more operating systems. Only limit is the 2GB of free folder space, which you can either expand via referrals (to 8GB) or by buying more space.

Improve this answer
2

Connect to the same WIFI network

(Create one if needed)

Enable guest login or add a user

 -> System Preferences -> User & Groups

(Guest login may be enabled only if you solely control your network)

Sharing files

 -> System Preferences -> Sharing -> File Sharing

(enable File sharing, add folders to share and write rights if needed)

Now, you should be able to see a shared mac in Sidebar of a Finder window from another computer.

Troubleshooting

try to reconfigure TCP/IP Settings to use DHCP with manual address(es).

WIFI logo -> Open Network Preferences -> Advanced -> TCP/IP

Improve this answer
1
  • Fair solutions, but the simplicity of Airdrop is awfully attractive and I think solves the problem more elegantly here.
    – JMY1000
    Commented May 14, 2016 at 4:30
1

Have you tried AirPort? Assuming they are on the same network. It works fairly well, and should be located in the upper left of any finder window you use. Click it on both computers, and drag and drop.

Improve this answer
1
  • 3
    If they aren't on the same network you can always select 'Create Network' from the Wi-Fi menu. Then the other computer can connect and they can exchange files over apple file sharing (Sharing pane in system preferences)
    – MikelR
    Commented Feb 29, 2012 at 1:18
1

My wife and I use DropCopy, which you can download from the app store. The link is to the free version, which is for less than three computers. It's a nice and easy way to share. If you want to send link, it pops up on their computer - they click the window and it opens in a browser. Files are equally as easy.

I love Dropbox, but I don't think it's ideal for link sharing, etc. For large files, it's probably better. Airdrop only works on newer macs too, which might be a problem if you're working on older hardware.

Improve this answer
0

Liwi

Download the Liwi App on both Mac and Liwi automatically discovers the devices which are on same WiFi. Then you can transfer files from one mac to other.

Even it allows to browse the shared content of other devices and download the content on demand. It is available for Android and Windows OS as well.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .