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Top app for Mac to share files

Top solutions for Mac file sharing (2021 edition)

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Top choice

SyncMate

4.5 Rank based on 795+ users, Reviews(476)

If you have a smartphone, tablet, and computer, there’s likely to come a time when you need to share files between your devices. For example, perhaps you’re going to an important meeting and need to share meeting notes between your phone and your tablet, or you might be heading to meet friends and want to share holiday photos from your computer to your phone, so you can show them around. You might even need to share files for printing, like signed forms, from your computer to your phone or tablet, or vice versa. There are many reasons you may need to share files between your devices, but using a file share app can be helpful.


I. What is a File Share App?

A file share app is different from a syncing or file transfer app. A file share app is designed to allow you to share files to another device - that could be a device you own or even somebody else’s device. Unlike Mac file syncing, where files are mirrored across both devices and transferring, where you physically move the file from one device to another, deleting it from the original device, Mac file sharing is simply about sending a copy of a file to another device, whether that’s a phone, tablet, or computer. Using a professional app to share files is always recommended, as not only does this simplify the process, it also reduces the risk of important files going astray and keeps the sharing process secure. There are plenty of file share apps out there to choose from, and we’re going to share some of the best ones with you in our guide, as well as explain how to use them.


II. The 3 Best Ways to Share Google Drive

f you store files on a cloud service like Google Drive, you might need to share files with another person, or with another device you own, like your phone or tablet. For example, you might need to Google file share meeting notes or an agenda with other attendees, or share college coursework with a friend. You might need to share important paperwork for signing or even photos or videos from a recent trip so that you can show them to friends and family.

Below, we’ll take a look at three of the best ways to share Google Drive.


1. Try SyncMate for Mac

SyncMate logo

SyncMate Expert


Requirements: macOS 10.13+. 60.62MB free space. Version 8.7.527. (5 Dec, 2023). 4.5 Rank based on 795+ users, Reviews(476)
Category: Utilities

SyncMate is a professional, all-in-one file share and sync solution for Mac. This powerful tool lets you sync files across all your devices as well as sharing almost anything you can think of.

File Sharing Software

Here’s how to share files on Google Drive using SyncMate:

  1. Download and install SyncMate and upgrade to the Expert edition.
  2. Launch the software, then, in the left-hand menu in the main window, click “Add New”.
  3. Select your device type, in this case, “Google Account”.
  4. Enter your Google login credentials.
  5. Then, it’s time to tune your connection settings - you can choose which files or folders you want to sync or share between your devices.

For Google Calendar share, there are a few additional steps you need to follow.

Calendar Share Software


Here’s how to share Google Calendar with your other devices:

  1. Follow the above steps to add your Google account to SyncMate.
  2. Set your sync parameters by specifying the sync direction: from Google Calendar to Mac, from Mac to Google Calendar, or two-way sync (where events will be mirrored on both devices).
  3. Then, select your calendar - you can choose to sync all calendars or select a specific one.
  4. Next, set your sync timeline, which allows you to choose which past and future events you want to sync.
  5. You can choose whether to delete synced calendar events either from your Mac or your Google account by selecting the “Reset History” button.
  6. Click “Apply” then “Sync” and your calendar sync will begin.

This shouldn’t take more than a few minutes, depending on how many calendars you are syncing with Google Drive sync for Mac.

2. Share a Single Item Using a Link

You can quickly and easily perform a Google file share if you want to share a file online with someone else. Follow the below steps:

  1. Open your file in Google Slides, Sheets, or Docs.
  2. Click “Share” in the top right-hand corner.
  3. In the “Share with others” box, click “Get shareable link” (in the top right corner).
  4. Set permissions for whether the person can view, comment on, or edit the file by clicking the arrow next to “Anyone with the link”.
  5. Google will copy a link to the file to your clipboard, which you can paste in an email or wherever you want to share the file.

This is a good way to share files when you’re not sure if the other person has a Google account, or don’t know their email address.

3. Use Backup and Sync Google Tool

You can use Google Backup and Sync to easily and quickly share Google Drive. Follow the below steps for how to share Google Drive:

Google Backup and Sync


  1. Download and install Google Backup and Sync.
  2. Choose what you want to sync from Google Drive.
  3. On your computer, click “Backup and Sync” then click More -> Preferences.
  4. On the left-hand side, click “Google Drive”.
  5. Now, click “Sync Drive to my computer”.
  6. You can choose from two options: “Sync everything in My Drive” or “Sync only these folders” depending on your preferences.
  7. Click “OK” and the sync will start.

This shouldn’t take long, depending on how many files you are syncing.

III. Top 3 Tips to Share Google Calendar

What if you only need to share Google Calendar and not files from Google Drive? For example, you might need to share your calendar appointments with a colleague, so they know your availability. Or perhaps you want to share Google Calendar appointments with a family member so you can keep track of each other’s schedules and organize things like childcare? Here are our top 3 tips to perform a Google Calendar share.

2. Share Google Calendar Manually

If you prefer to share your Google Calendar manually, here’s how to do it:

  1. Go to Google Calendar.
  2. Select the calendar to share on the left-hand side of your screen.
  3. Click the down arrow next to the calendar and select “Share this calendar”.
  4. Type in the email address of the person you want to share with.
  5. On the right-hand side of the screen set permission level using the drop-down menu.
  6. Click “Add person” and “Save”.

The recipient will get an email inviting them to view your calendar.

3. Try iMyFone Sync

There’s a third way to share Google Calendar with your iPhone - using iMyFone iTransor. Here’s how to do it:

iMyFone iTransor


  1. Download and install the software.
  2. Select “Backup and Export from Device” then “Export data”.
  3. On the following screen, select “Calendar” then “Next”.
  4. The software will display all the calendar data and you can select what you want to share.
  5. When you’re ready, click “Export”.

This software has a free trial but you’ll need to pay to upgrade to the full version.

IV. The 3 Best Software to Share Photos

If it’s photos you’d like to share, you’ll be pleased to hear we’ve come up with a list of the three best software programs to perform an image share. When creating our list of software to share photos, we looked at the pros and cons of each program, the best features, and of course, the cost, as well as what devices are supported. With so many different photo-sharing apps out there, this list will help you to choose the best software for file sharing Mac.

1. SyncMate

SyncMate is a professional sync software for Mac that lets you sync any devices with Mac. It’s free to download the software and sync your contacts and calendar - to sync photos you’ll need to upgrade to expert edition. You can sync any Android or iOS device and even sync with other Macs, MTP, or mounted devices, and SyncMate helps you sync with Cloud drives and Microsoft services too.

Supported Devices: Mac OS X, Android, iOS

Sync Software for Mac


Pros:

  • • Sync contacts and calendars for free
  • • Affordable one-time license fee for expert edition
  • • Designed for Mac OS
  • • Responsive support
  • • Easy to use

Cons:

  • • Can only sync contacts and calendars for free
  • • No subscription option, if you prefer this to a one-time license fee
  • • Not compatible with Windows

SyncMate is an all-in-one solution for syncing almost any device with your Mac, and vice versa. We love that it’s free to get started and if you want to upgrade to expert edition, the license fee is affordable.

2. MacDroid

Best way to transfer video files | MacDroid

MacDroid


Requirements: macOS 10.13. 18.22MB free space. Version 1.8.160. (25 Aug, 2023). 4.7 Rank based on 556+ users, Reviews(439)
Category: Utilities
Android owners looking for Mac sync software for photo sharing should consider MacDroid. Download the software for free or subscribe to PRO from just $1.67/month to transfer photos from Android to Mac and vice versa. MacDroid also supports devices that connect in MTP mode and lets you transfer other files like videos and music too.
MacDroid

Supported Devices: Mac OS X, Android

Pros:

  • • Designed specifically for Mac and Android devices
  • • Supports devices that connect in MTP mode
  • • Free version lets you sync files from Android to Mac for free
  • • Free 7-day PRO trial
  • • PRO billed annually, not monthly

Cons:

  • • Doesn’t work with iOS, only Android devices
  • • With the free version you can’t sync files from Mac to Android

Owners of Android devices looking for a one-stop solution to sync their devices with Mac should consider MacDroid. It’s made our list due to its free version and affordable PRO version, as well as its ability to support devices connecting in MTP mode.

3. AirDroid

AirDroid’s free version lets you transfer photos and other files across devices on all major platforms like Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. The software works through your web browser, so you don’t need to download or install anything. With the free version, you can use AirDroid on up to 2 Android devices (with ads) with a max 30 MB file upload and transfer size and 200 MB remote data. If you need more than this you can upgrade.

Supported Devices: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS

AirDroid


Pros:

  • • Free version
  • • Affordable monthly or annual subscription
  • • Compatible with all operating systems
  • • AirMirror app for iOS and Android
  • • Support center with knowledge base and tickets
  • • Can share photos/files directly

Cons:

  • • To transfer folders you need to upgrade to premium
  • • Free version has limited file transfer and upload size - and ads
  • • Transfers happen online - there’s no downloadable client

AirDroid made our list of the best photo sharing software as it’s free to use, up to a point. To remove ads or share folders, you’ll need to upgrade to the paid version.

V. How to Share Outlook Calendar

Perhaps you use Outlook Calendar rather than Google Calendar, and you need to share your schedule for the day with colleagues back at the office. Or maybe you have family plans coming up and want to share your Outlook calendar appointments with your family members so that they don’t get in the way of personal plans. You might need to share your entire calendar or just specific events.

If you’re wondering how to share Outlook Calendar, here are three of the best ways.

2. Use AkrutoSync

AkrutoSync is software for Windows that lets you sync your Outlook calendar with all your devices. Here are the steps to follow to share your Outlook calendar using AkrutoSync:

AkrutoSync


  1. Download and install AkrutoSync.
  2. Launch the software and click “Configure AkrutoSync”.
  3. The software should prompt you to create an exchange account on your iOS or Android device.
  4. On your device go to Settings -> Mail, Contacts, Calendars, then click “Add account”.
  5. Choose the exchange account type (MS Outlook) and enter your email address (as shown in the AkrutoSync window on your PC).
  6. Enter your password, then click “Next”.
  7. Choose the sync option to suit your needs - in this case, syncing your calendar (you can also choose specific events).
  8. Click “Sync”.

In the future, once set up, AkrutoSync will keep your calendar synced automatically.

3. Via a USB Drive

What if you want to share your Outlook Calendar manually with iCal on your Mac? Here’s what to do:

  1. On your Windows PC, open Outlook and click “Calendar”.
  2. Click “Office” then “Save As”, then click the “More Options! Button.
  3. In the drop-down menu, you can choose to export your whole calendar or specific dates by selecting “Whole Calendar” or “Specify Dates”.
  4. Click “OK” and the calendar file will be saved.
  5. Plug in your USB drive and transfer the file to the USB.
  6. Plug your USB drive into your Mac, then simply copy the .ics file to your Mac.
  7. When you open iCal, drag and drop the .ics file into the window and you should be able to see all your Outlook events.

This sounds more complicated than it actually is - it’s really very simple and shouldn’t take long!

VI. FAQs

There’s no such thing as ‘the best’ file sharing software, as it will depend on what your requirements are and what you’re looking for - for example, some people might be looking for how to share large files while others might need to file share on Mac. It’s best to read reviews and pros and cons for each type of software online, before deciding which to use.
There are three types of file sharing: file sharing, file syncing, and file transfer. File sharing is simply sharing a copy of a file with another device or person while syncing is creating a mirror of files across both devices, and file transfer usually involves deleting files from one device and moving them to another.
Sync software Mac is usually used to sync files between devices like your mobile device and computer, and usually creates a mirrored version of files on both devices. On the other hand, file share software simply shares access to a file or a copy of a file to another device or person.
File sharing can take place online or through downloaded software and usually involves creating and sending a copy of a file, or a link to access a file online, to another person or device - although it can also mean sending a copy of a file to another device that you own.
Generally speaking, sync software performs many of the same activities as share software. Although, if you want to share access to files with another person or share a copy of a file with somebody else, you won’t be able to do this with sync software.

When choosing the best file share software, think about what you want to share: for example do you want to share files online, video share, share photos - and how many people do you want to share with? Think about the features each program provides and whether it’s free or how much it costs. Then read some reviews and look into the pros and cons of each program before choosing the right software for your needs.

SyncMate Expert

4.5
Requirements: macOS 10.13+,
60.62MB free space
Version 8.7.527 (5 Dec, 2023) Release notes
Download Total downloads: 467,673
Purchase PRO From $39.95
Rank based on 795+ users, Reviews(476)