If you want to move and copy files & folders on Mac, then you’re at the right place. Read more to know How to Move Files on Mac. While you are working with Mac, you have to use files and folders to store the data, and sometimes you have to move them to a specific folder in a specific location. When you are working with files and folders, you have to know how to manage them and how to operate cut, copy, and download files and folders.
Mac stands for Macintosh, a line of systems invented by Apple. This is the first graphical user interface introduced on Apple devices. It is also known as Medium Access Control or Mac address. It is the physical or hardware address for ethernet. This address is formatted in hexadecimal format. The manufacturer allows the Mac Address, and it is unique, which is generally used to know the node of the network.
Mac is the network sublayer that controls hardware communication. This will work along with the Logical Link layer and create the data link layer to the OSI model. The data link layer is responsible for the transfer of data packets from one place to another on the network. In this article, we will discuss and learn about the moving of files from one location to another. Sometimes while moving files on Mac you may face a Mac Trackpad not working issue, so first fix it and start following the below steps.
Features of Mac:
Mac operating systems are compatible with many devices like MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro, MacBook Air, iMac Pro, and many others. Moreover, Mac is the brand that refers to the line of computers. So before entering into the topic let me tell you some interesting features about Mac.
#1. Pin Media player to Menu bar:
No need to go back from your work to the music player. This is quite easy because Mac allows you to pin the universal music player onto the menu bar, and you can operate the widget easily.
#2. Quick Dictionary:
You can add a dictionary tool on Mac. This will help you to check the meanings quickly. Moreover, you can add it from System preferences.
#3. Hot corners:
Mac has so many shortcuts to know and remember them. The screen’s four corners do actions or perform some shortcuts. When the mouse hovers over them, the shortcuts will execute there, which you have set to it.
#4. Creating Digital Signature:
Creating a digital signature and adding it to the document is an easy process on Mac. You just go to the preview of the document and open the Annotation tab in the Toolbar. Tap on the signature icon and select the option; you can make a sign on the trackpad or take a snap of the signature. Add a signature, and you can add it to any place of the document.
#5. Screen Shot and Recording Tool:
Mac will provide a separate tool to record. This tool will record and also take screenshots. You can record the whole screen or a particular area as you wish. Launch the screenshot app with the Launchpad app or by using “cmd + shift+ 5”.
#6. Maximize and Minimize Window:
You just double-click on the Window to maximize it and just double-click on the title bar to minimize it and add to the dock.
#7. Merge folders:
You can merge the two identical folders which have the same name. Just drag and drop the folder onto the other. A pop-up will ask you permission to merge. Just choose the merge option to merge them. It results in one folder, which has both source and destination folders in it.
Steps to Move Files and Folders on Mac
Moving files from one place to another will be done in many ways, as described below. You can move the file by coping with its data. Cut, copy, and paste commands also will move files and folders from one place to another.
1#. Using Terminal:
By using the Terminal, you can move files or folders easily from one place to another. You can use mv, cp, and SCP command-line tools.
mv means to move in the command line, and you can move files or folders to another place within the computer.
The structure is as follows:
mv (source location) (destination location)
For example, I want to transfer “test_file” to “orig_file” in the Data folder. The test_file is removed totally, and the content is moved to the orig_file.
% mv ~/Data/test_file ~/Data/copy_file
You can change the file name also while transferring.
% mv ~/Airplay/myfile.txt ~/Ship/file1.txt
Remember that you have to specify the total and exact address of the file.
2#. Using Cut, Copy, Paste Commands
You can use keyboard shortcuts to move the files from one place to another.
- Just select the file you need to copy.
- Next, press Command + A on the keyboard, which will select all files and folders with their content. Or Press Command + C to select the files you require.
- Go to the location where you need to place the file, and there just press Command +v on your keyboard. This will paste the files or folders along with their content.
3#. Using Right-Click
You can use the right-click option to Move Files on Mac quickly.
- You simply go to the file or folder you want to move.
- Please select it and right-click on it; Choose the option “copy FILENAME“. Observe that the file name will follow the copy command.
- If you have selected two or more items, then it will show “copy 2 items” or “copy 3 items“.
- Just tap on it to copy the files or folders.
- Next, go to the destination folder. Right-click on the free space, and you will get the paste option; Just tap on it. The files or folders appear on the screen and you can use them.
- If you copied 2 items, then it shows “paste 2 items“.
Here, you have copied the content. This means a duplicate file is created. But, if you want to cut the items from there, then follow the below steps.
- After copying the content, just go to the place you need and right-click there to get the context menu.
- When the context menu is opened, you have to press the Option key from your keyboard, and then the Paste option will be changed to the move.
- It will show “Move Items Here“; Tap on it.
- That’s it, now the content is moved to the destination.
4#. Using Mouse
You can move files from one location to another if the source folder and destination folders or locations are opened on the screen. Then, you can simply drag the files or folders you need and drop the content where you need them.
- Select the items, just drag them, and drop them at the destination location.
- Or you can copy and paste the content as above.
- Click on the Options key from the keyboard to change to the Move option.
- Or you can press the Options key from the keyboard to create a copy of the items and paste them.
5#. Using Edit Menu
You can move the files and folders by using the Edit menu from Menubar on the clipboard.
- Select the items you need to copy and go to the Edit menu on Menubar.
- Choose the “copy 2 items” (If two items are selected).
- Go to the folder or location you need to move the items.
- Tap on the Edit menu, which will show the option “Paste 2 Items“.
- Here, you have copied the content. This means a duplicate file is created but if you want to cut the items from there.
- Press the Option key on your keyboard. Then, the option will be changed to “Move 2 Items“.
Files reached the destination folder. You can move any number of files or folders like this.
From Clipboard:
Suppose you need clarification while copying a lot of items. Do you want to check them once? Then, just go to the Edit menu and choose the Show Clipboard option. Then, it will show the list of items that you have cut or copied just before.
Steps to Copy a File on Mac
1#. Using Terminal:
cp is the command used to copy the file. You can copy the files from one folder to another on your device, which only means copies files locally.
The structure is:
cp (source location) (destination location)
for example, I want to transfer “test_file” to “copy_file” in the Data folder. The test_file is not removed and a new file copy_test is created. Content is copied to the copy_file.
% cp -R ~/Data/test_file ~/Data/orig_file
R will resemble and help to cp to copy the folder and data from it.
2#. Using Commands:
SCP command will perform copying remotely through the Terminal. You can access the file or folder from a remote computer. This is the s s h command.
For example, the certificates folder from your PC to the remote PC. The compressed folder will be transferred to a remote PC. The command is as shown below.
% scp -E ~/certificates.tgz username@remoteserver.com:/Users/username/Desktop/certificates.tgz
It will ask for the user password.
-E resembles the attributes, resources forks, and ACL data.
-r also used in the place of E. It will help to copy the folder and data inside it.
This means another file(copy) is created and placed in a new location.
Pros & Cons:
Frequently Asked Questions?
1. How to Rename Files and Folders on Mac?
If you want to rename the files and folders on Mac with the help of the mv command, you can rename the files and folders. The user can also be allowed to move the file with a different filename. To do this, you must follow the below simple steps carefully.
For example
mv ‘path to file/FileName’ ‘path to file/NewFileName’
mv ‘path to folder/FolderName’ ‘path to folder/NewFolderName
2. Explain the differences between Copy and Move.
Both copy and move functions are different; copy means copying the file or folder from one location and maintaining the original as usual, while moving it completely changes the location of the file and folder.
To copy, we are using the cp command. While coming to move, we are using mv.
Final Conclusion:
While working with Mac, you will use multiple files and folders. You have to manage them. It is necessary to protect your data and share the content. You have to move the content to the location where you need it on your device. You can send or share the content to another PC that is in the network.
All the methods are presented in this article with clear explanations that help you to Move Files on Mac. Just choose the method that you need and follow it. Transfer the content to the location you need.
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