Share Apps Between Users Mac

Share Apps Between Users Kindle Fire
How To Share Files Between Users
Share Files Between Mac And Windows

A few weeks ago here on TMO, I posted an article called How to Locate & Manage Your 'Stuff' in OS X. In that article, I glossed over a special User Folder called Shared. The time has come to take a closer look.

Share files with others who use your Mac. People who use the same Mac with different user accounts can share files with one another using the computer’s Shared folder or using their individual Public and Drop Box folders. The computer’s Shared folder is located in Macintosh HD/Users. Nov 23, 2019 Administration can create new user accounts, can install apps and can change settings. Standard users can install apps and can change their settings only. Sharing only users can access shared files only. Managed with Parental Controls is pretty self-explanatory. Groups provide the same access privileges to more than one user. Sep 25, 2017 Sharing Apps between user accounts on Windows 10. How do I share my MS Office Suite with all users on a single device? For example, PPT is only showing up on the admin account not my children's accounts. This thread is locked. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. Mar 30, 2009 Question: Q: Sharing apps between 2 user accounts I have set up my iMac with 2 user accounts (one for me as the administrator and one for my wife). We have downloaded a check book program called Moneydance.

Jun 29, 2016 Other macOS users can do the same steps outlined above to share files with you, the Mac administrator, or with other standard users on the computer. Wrapping up When you need a free and efficient way to share a file(s) with multiple users on your Mac, there’s no better way than using Apple’s own file-sharing features that are built into macOS.
A Group account is a special account that can be used by a subset of users who already have an account set up on the Mac—Dad, Mom, and Jackie, for example, but not the toddling twins, Lex and Jason.

You may be thinking that knowing about the Shared Folder is important only if you have more than one user/logon account on your Mac. If you only use your one user account, read-on, because you'll see why it you might want to create one or two other logon accounts on your machine.

Let me approach the 'why' by relating to you how I use multiple user accounts on my own Mac. Hopefully, this will inspire you to think of ways this can be useful in your workflow.

The Users & Groups System Settings panel is where User Accounts are created and managed.

First, of course, I have my regular every-day working user account. Additionally, I have an account with Administrator privileges that I logon to strictly for troubleshooting purposes. Of course, since I run a lean, clean and mean machine, I rarely find myself shooting any trouble! But, if I need to, I can do so easily with this additional user account.

For example, there may be something odd happening in my working account – perhaps with a certain errant System Preferences setting, or a user font, or even an attached printer or other peripherals. With a 'clean' user account that has the default System Preferences configured, I am better able to note how something should behave. Troubleshooting personal computer problems is all about 'process of elimination.' Having this extra user account aids in this approach.

I teach several courses in technology, digital photography and horror cinema at local higher-education schools. For each class, which involves special configurations, demos, and Keynote presentations, I have a separate user account.

Overkill? Perhaps. But, it really makes my work simple, safe and organized.

On my MacBook Pro, I also have a user account for my wife to use in the event it's needed. She has her own Mac mini in our home office, so when we travel, being able to have her own logon on my MacBook Pro is important. If I had children, they might have their own user accounts as well. My two goldfish have expressed a desire to have their own logons, but I feel strangely reluctant to accommodate them on this one request.

Finally, I keep a user account with Administrator privileges (configured with a different password, of course) specifically for use by Apple Genii or other service providers. I use this just in case I have to take the machine in for service – keeping my other accounts out-of-sight-out-of-mind. Yes, I know that depending on certain settings, they may be able to circumvent this, but I am not overly concerned about it, and I maintain a strict backup regimen. This just makes things easier for them and for me.

OK, so hopefully, you get the idea. If you are not now using multiple user accounts, hopefully I've given you some food for thought. If you take anything away from this article, it should be the value of the additional 'clean' user accounts for troubleshooting and/or for use by the Apple Genius Bar.

At this point, you may be asking, 'What's the best way to share files between these user accounts?' I'm glad you asked, because you may find many good reasons to maintain separate accounts for various uses.

In my own teaching scenario described above, I utilize my main working account to prep for my Keynote presentations, Pages-based class handouts, and demo image files. Once I have all class materials ready, I make use of the Shared Users Folder to easily copy the files to the corresponding class user account. When I get to class, I log onto the User Account for that class and present the students with a clean desktop and perhaps even a custom desktop background.

The User Folder is located at the root level of the system drive and contains all User Account Home Folders plus the Shared Folder.

In my article referenced back in the first paragraph, I talked about the Users Folder located at the root directory of your Mac's system drive. This folder contains all the data created by each of the Mac's logon accounts – whether just your one logon account or a hundred accounts on the machine. The Users Folder contains a Home Folder for each account, identified by account name. Your Home Folder is additionally identified by an icon of a house. You will also find the Shared Folder within the Users Folder.

Since, by default, each user's Home Folder is inaccessible by any other account, the Shared Folder is there for all the local user accounts to use freely when files need to be shared. Remember that the Shared Folder is for intra-account sharing on the one Mac. It is not intended for sharing files between machines – and people – on a network, as there are better mechanisms and methods for that type of activity.

I am constantly exploiting the Shared Folder, finding it enormously useful in my work. As I create my presentations and handouts, I stick copies of them into the Shared Folder. I usually organize the Shared Folder by creating additional folders – one for each user account. Any files commonly needed by all user accounts are placed at the root of the Shared Folder.

To streamline my workflow, I create an alias of the Shared Folder in the Favorites section of the Finder window's sidebar. You do this by first selecting GO > COMPUTER in Finder, then going into the System drive (typically named 'Macintosh HD'), and finally into the Users Folder. Locate the Shared Folder, and drag it's icon to the Finder window's sidebar anywhere within the Favorites section at the top. This makes an alias to the Shared Folder easily accessible from anywhere – even in standard open/close file dialog boxes.

Drag the Shared Folder into the Finder window sidebar to create an alias there.

By the way, you can also place an alias of the Shared Folder on your Dock by dragging it's icon just to the left of the trash can. (Now remember, if you've had one-too-many, your lack of accuracy here may be detrimental to your happiness).

Without going into technical detail in this article, you need to understand that, no matter which user account you are logged in as, files and folders you create while in that account are owned by you, i.e.; by that account. This is all about the concept of file permissions, which governs who can open, modify, delete, or even see your files.

Because the Shared Folder can be potentially used by every user account, this folder can contain any number of files and folders with differing ownership and therefore, differing permissions.

There are a couple of important implications regarding file ownership and permissions:

If a file is 'owned' by another user account, you and others are typically not allowed to make changes to or delete the file. By the Shared Folder's very nature, you are allowed to open and use files created by other accounts. When you open a file directly from within the Shared Folder, and it's owned by another account, you will be directed to duplicate the file first, or you may be asked to authenticate. As soon as the file is duplicated, you now become the owner of that duplicated file. If you are asked to authenticate, and you do so successfully, the ownership of that original file is now assigned to you.

If you are the owner of a file in the Shared Folder, and you drag it out and onto your desktop, the file is MOVED out of the Shared Folder.

If you drag a file that is owned by another user account from the Shared Folder to your desktop or another location within your own Home Folder, a COPY of the file is made, and the original is kept intact. In general, I prefer this method for sharing a file between user accounts, as leaving the original file as-is in the Shared Folder assures the retrieval of an original copy if the need arises.

This GET INFO panel for a selected Keynote file shows its Sharing and Permissions settings.

The best way to learn all this is to experiment with some throw-away files belonging to the various user accounts on your Mac. While logged into the different account, drag the files in and out, attempt to edit and delete them. Do a Get Info on the files (via FILE > GET INFO in Finder), and look at the Sharing & Permissions section at the very bottom. But, be careful! Don't get too cocky and go around changing permissions on things outside the Shared Folder without a better understanding. There is rarely any reason to do so.

In conclusion, multiple secure user accounts feature in OS X is undoubtedly a powerful tool for enhancing security and organization. File sharing between single machine user accounts via the Shared Folder makes secure collaboration a snap.

May 07,2020 • Filed to: iPhone Transfer • Proven solutions

There are many ways to successfully share apps between iPhone and iPad, especially with the use of third-party apps. However, in this article, we focus on the popular Apple's methods for sharing apps and other data between iPhone, iPad, and other iOS devices. Sharing apps between iPhone and iPad using the Apple's methods explained in this article needs concentration and you will have to follow the step by step guides in detail. You shouldn't be worried as we have also covered the perfect alternative to the two options.

Method 1. Share Apps Between iPhone and iPad with iCloud Account

If you have been using iCloud (Apple’s online service) to backup your iOS data, you can share apps between iPhone and iPad. It is recommended that you manually trigger a backup before you can share apps, especially if it has been a long time since you last backed up your data on iCloud.

Step 1 Trigger Manual Backup of iPhone's Data

Connect your iPhone to a stable Wi-Fi and if you are low on power, just plug it in to charge as you continue with the process. Launch the 'Settings' app from the home screen. Tap iCloud> Backup> Back Up Now. All your iPhone's data will be successfully transferred to iCloud.

Step 2 Restore Apps and Other Data From iCloud to iPad

Once the backup process of your iPhone data is complete, pick your iPad and power it ON. If you have been using the iPad, you will have to erase all data by tapping on Settings app> General> Erase All Content and Settings. If your iPad is new, swipe your finger on 'Slide to Set Up'. Choose your language and country of origin, Set up Wi-Fi network and On the 'Location Services' screen, select whether you want to have location services on by default. On the next screen, tap on 'Restore from iCloud Backup' and then log in to your iCloud account.

Step 3 Verify the Agreement

Agree to the 'Terms and Conditions'. You will be asked to verify your agreement again. Your iPad will show your iCloud backup. Just tap on the backup name you just created. The settings and data will then be restored. Your iPad will restart during the process. After restoring apps and other data, sign in with your Apple ID, create a passcode and enable Siri. You can then choose to send the diagnostic info to Apple. Be patient as the apps on your iPhone are downloaded from App Store. The standard built-in apps like Calendar, Mail and Maps will have the data from your iPhone.

Step 4 Share Apps Between iPhone and iPad

If you would like to reinstall the apps that you had purchased with your iPhone, just open App Store and then select purchased from the bottom menu. All the apps that you had previously downloaded are listed here. Simply tap on the ones you want to install on your iPad. Now you have successfully shared apps and other data from iPhone to iPad using iCloud.

Method 2. Share Apps Between iPhone and iPad Using Family Sharing

With Family Sharing, each of your family members gets immediate access to other's files, including apps, books, TV shows, movies, music and can download any files to their devices at any time. You should be aware that Family Sharing only supports devices with iOS 8 or later.

Step-By-Step Guide to Share Apps Between iPhone and iPad

Step 1. From your iPhone, tap on the Settings app > iCloud. If you are not logged into your iCloud account, just enter your login details.

Step 2. Tap 'Set Up Family Sharing'. Then tap 'Get Started'.

Step 3. In the next tab, you will see explanations that as a family organizer you can invite family members and then agree to pay for iBooks, iTunes and App Store purchases that they initiate.

Step 4. Sign in using the Apple ID that you would like to use to share iBook, iTunes and App Store purchases.

Step 5. In the next tab, your iPhone will display the payment method that can be used for making payments. Tap on Managing Family Purchases> Done. Tap on continue > Share Location or Not Now. At this stage, you are the organizer and can invite up to 5 additional members.

Step 6. Once you have set up Family Sharing you can share your purchases with ease. You will be asked to confirm the Apple ID (the one you use to make iBook, iTunes and App Store purchases). After the Apple ID is confirmed you will be able to share purchased apps and other contents from the same account with all your family members.

Go to Settings> iCloud> Family and tap your name. Review your account information under Family Purchases. Enter the password if you want to confirm the Apple ID that you would like to share content from. If you want to share the purchases from any other account, you are free to enter the different Apple IDs and passwords. Ensure that 'Share my purchases' is ON.

Step 7. You will be able to see and download not only apps but also music, videos, TV shows and books from each family member’s purchase history. You can share apps between iPhone and iPad with ease, but you should know that you are allowed to download the apps and other content on up to 10 devices that you control or own (including iPads and iPhones).

Launch the store app that you would like to download contents from and then go to the 'Purchased' page. If it’s App Store: Tap on Updates> Purchased. For iTunes Store: Tap on More> Purchased. On iBooks: Tap on Purchased. Tap on the name of family members to see their apps and other content. Download the app or any other files by tapping on the download icon next to it.

Share Apps Between Users Kindle Fire