How to share files between Ubuntu and Mac OS X

Assuming you want to share on a local network

On OS X. Click on System Preferences --> Sharing. Make sure the Services tab is selected. Choose one of the sharing methods, either UNIX sharing or Windows sharing.

On your Ubuntu machine, go to Places --> Connect to server and enter the sharing details.

Have a look at this forum http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=353584


It's not the smartest way to share files, but on Ubuntu you can simply use Share Folder option in the context menu, set settings as you wish and thats all. (Relogin may be required.) Then on MAC Ubuntu share should be discoverable.


I'm also using Ubuntu 10.04 and I can connect to my machines using their name. Say I have computers named ernie and bert that are on the same network:

ernie:~$ ping bert.local
ernie:~$ echo hello > file.txt
ernie:~$ scp file.txt bert.local:~/copied-from-ernie.txt

You can use this in nautilus too. Enter ssh://bert.local into the nautilus location bar in ubuntu (hit Ctrl-L to select the location bar) and hit enter. If you have different user names use ssh://[email protected]

I think you can do something similar in the Finder location bar.

You have to install/enable sshd for this to work:

  • Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install openssh-server (you may need to restart)
  • Mac: System Preferences --> Sharing. Check the "Remote Login" box.