Access your files on a Mac from your iPad

 Airdrop is pretty great - but its a PITA if you want to just check on files without having to transfer to your mac. 

So, here's a little secret - you can access your files from the iPad. For some reason, apple hasn't yet made it available in a simple way for the users. But with a few steps - you can do this. 

Here are the steps:

Note : Both iPad and MacBook should be on the same wifi network and connected to the wifi. Make sure of this before trying. 

1. Open the system preferences. You need to allow file sharing - which is by default turned off. 
2. Go to "Sharing" . See the screenshot - its on the bottom row ( 3rd from last) 

 

 

3. Click the box next to file sharing. 

 

4. By default, only a shared folder is there. You need to add more folders that you want to share by using the + button under the "Shared Folders" list.  Here I have a folder "old_pdfs_of_india" that I want to access from my ipad added to the shared list. 

5. Also make note of the IP address shown in the screen. This is your local IP address. e.g. 192.168.1.97 (yours will be different)

6. Now, on the iPad, go to the "Files" app. At the top there is a circle with 3 dots in it - tap that. It will show a drop down. Tap on "Connect to Server" . This will open a popup with "Connect to Server". Enter the IP address over there from the screenshot as in step 3.

7. It will ask for username and password. This is your local username on the macbook. Enter the details and you can now see the folders you have shared.