How To Access Files On MAC Using iPhone Or iPad

If you want to access different files on MAC using iPhone or iPad, then you are at the right place. Go through this entirely to find various techniques to access the files on MAC.

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Accessing Files On MAC Using Sync:

We can access the different files on MAC to other devices by using the syncing method. Here syncing means nothing but both updating and as well as transferring the data to the other devices from time to time

For example, if you have uploaded a picture in your MAC, so that when you use this sync method with other devices like iPhone or iPad then the same picture will get synced to other devices which is currently in sync with MAC.

Accessing-Files-From-MAC-Using-iPhone-Or-iPad — Accessing Files From MAC Using iPhone Or iPad

Coming into the detail, if you connect your iPhone or iPad to your MAC by using a USB cable then the device appears in the Finder sidebar and when you check the sidebar it always asks you to sync your device with other devices by using the syncing option.

If you go through the syncing options in the sidebar then you can start syncing your images, files, movies, or any other data to the devices you want to sync.

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Do I Really Need To Sync?

Of course, there are some other possibilities that you can sync your devices to the MAC otherwise no.

If you are using the iPhone classic, iPhone pod then you really need to sync your whole device to the MAC to access the files.

Sharing-Files-On-MAC — Sharing Files On MAC

But if you are using iPhone or iPad, then you need to turn on the sync option if you are connected to the same network to access the files.

However, if you really don’t want to sync your device then you can simply download whatever the files or apps you want from the iTunes store, the App Store, and other Apple services.

Otherwise, if you have an iCloud account, then you can use iCloud to transfer the contact, files, etc from the MAC.

In these syncing options, you have generally two options to specify you to sync the files in the easiest way. Those are

Automatically sync all the content.
Sync-specific content.

Let’s discuss how can you use the iCloud account to access the files on MAC

Allowing iCloud Drive To Access Files On Your MAC to iPhone/iPad:

The first thing to be remembered while accessing the files from MAC using the iCloud drive is to make sure that you have given the respective permissions to access the files located on the desktop and the documents folder on your MAC.

Follow the below-mentioned steps to access the files from the MAC using iPhone or iPad

On the top of the menu bar in your MAC, you can see an apple icon>click on it.
After clicking on that you can see a drop menu showing the system preferences option click on it.
In the system preferences, you can see so many apps and files appear on that in that click on iCloud.

Click-On-The-iCloud-Icon — Click On The iCloud Icon

However, if you are already signed in it allows you otherwise you need to type your Apple ID and password to access the iCloud.

Sign-In-To-The-iCloud-Drive — Sign In To The iCloud Drive

After signing in, a screen displays about iCloud make sure to click on NEXT.
On the next screen, you can see the iCloud drive with a check box make sure to check the box
After the check option at the right side top you can see the options bar>click on it.

Tick-The-Check-Box-And-Go-For-Options — Tick The Check Box And Go For Options

On the next screen make sure to click on the check box regarding desktop and documents folder.

Tick-The-Check-Box-Of-Desktop-And-Documents — Tick The Check Box Of Desktop And Documents

Now, wait for some time until all the documents and files are copied to the iCloud drive, and after that click on the done option.

Now all the files and documents are available in your iCloud account and you can log in to your iCloud account on any other device to access your files from MAC.

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Different Methods For Accessing Files On MAC Using iPhone/iPad:

Accessing Files On MAC Using iPhone/iPad wirelessly:

If you want to access different files on MAC using iPhone by using the iCloud account. Then do follow the below-mentioned steps carefully.

The first step to do is to open the iCloud account in the iPhone/iPad as you are now using iPhone.

Then on the screen, the iCloud account appears then make sure to use the right Apple ID and password of the account and then sign in.

After successful login, your iCloud account opens in iPhone/iPad and you can see two options desktop and documents.

Showing-The-iCloud-Drive — Showing The iCloud Drive

Now by clicking on the desktop option, you can access all the files in the MAC which are present on the desktop.
Similarly, by clicking on the documents option you can access all the files, images that are stored in the MAC can be accessed.
Accessing Files On MAC Using iPhone/iPad with Cable:

Now let’s see how to access files by using a cable that is connected between the MAC and iPhone/iPad. Do follow the steps carefully while using the cable as we are not using an iCloud account here.

Showing-The-Cables-Used-To-Connect — Showing The Cables Used To Connect

The first step to do is to connect a supplied cable to the MAC and iPhone/iPad however if you have USB-C Mac, then you will need an adapter to connect it.

MAC-and-iPhone-Connected-By-A-Cable — MAC and iPhone Connected By A Cable

The next step is to click on the Finder icon and it opens the finder window on the left side.
Now at the sidebar click on your particular IOS device name on the screen.
This is a reminder that if it is the first time you are using the cable to connect the device, then make sure to click TRUST on the finder window.
After clicking on the trust, it asks you to enter your passcode for confirmation.
The next step is on the screen you can see the files tab, click on that and you can see different apps and files in the MAC to be shared to iPhone/iPad.
After that select the files on the MAC that you want to transfer to your iPhone/iPad on the other side of the finder window.
Now drag the files which are compatible to your OS.

Drag-And-Drop-The-Files — Drag And Drop The Files

Finally, select all the files and media you want and transfer them to your iPhone/iPad and then wait for some time as it takes some time to finish the entire process.

How To Delete Unwanted Files While Accessing From MAC Using iPhone/iPad:

If you want to delete some unwanted files while you are accessing the files from the MAC then do follow the below-mentioned steps carefully to delete the unwanted files

Give the supplied cable connection to the MAC and iPhone/iPad to access the files.
Next click on the Finder icon to open the finder window and then click on your IOS device name in the sidebar.
Now you can see a files tab on clicking on that you can see various files and apps
You can see a triangle at the side of the tab click on it and select the file that you want to delete.
Give a right-click on the file and select destroy for the confirmation.

Click-On-Destroy-To-Delete-Unwanted-Files — Click On Destroy To Delete Unwanted Files

We can access files from MAC without using iTunes by following the below-mentioned methods

Transferring the files from MAC to iPhone/iPad or from iPhone/iPad to MAC by using transfer software.
Transferring files from iPhone to MAC wirelessly via AirDrop.

Transferring files from MAC to iPhone/iPad by using iCloud drive.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Can I access my files on mac using iPhone?

iCloud Drive lets you securely access all of your documents from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC.

2. How do I access documents on my MAC from my iPad?

To see your saved files on a Mac, go to Finder > iCloud Drive. On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to the Files app.

3. Why I can’t see my iPad in the finder?

If you connected your iPhone or iPad to your Mac using a USB cable and don’t see it in the Finder sidebar, make sure that you have the right option selected in Finder preferences.

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Conclusion:

Accessing files from Mac using iPhone/iPad can be possible in both wired and wireless. The above-mentioned can be very helpful in accessing the files from MAC to other devices via an iCloud account. Go thoroughly of every method and choose any of the methods which are easy and simple for you for accessing the files either by using cable or iCloud drive.

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Naveena Savanam

Myself Naveena, introducing myself new to this profession, I am so much fascinated to write the tech-based stuff and willing to write the expository and narrative topics and my main intention is to deliver and share the knowledge to users by interacting with them about the various technologies, I love cooking, gardening and travel.