Syncing files between macs without using iCloud

[Mike Boreham]

How did the op get on? Did you use chronosync?

Do you know if it’s works with Apple photos between laptop and desktop to keep in sync?

I would not trust Chronosync or any other app to bi-directional sync a Photos library two ways between two macs. Backup apps can backup (ie one way sync) a Photos Library. But to sync two libraries you would have to set Chronosync to treat Photos as a package file and sync the contents both directions….which is doomed to failure. If you set it to treat the Photos Library as a single file, Chronosync should be able to decide which Photos library is the most recent and sync the whole library file to the other one, but you would lose any changes made on the less recent one.

 

[gilby101]

Do you know if it’s works with Apple photos between laptop and desktop to keep in sync?

For photos stored in Apple Photos library, iCloud is the only(?) reliable and straightforward method.

 

[Global_traveler]

If you just want to back up some files from work on your home desktop, you can use the SMB Share protocol. Look at the videos on YouTube - one in particular “how to share files between multiple Macs. This is done using your home WiFi and is fairly simple. I use it to transfer a folder full of spreadsheets from my iPad to my Mac. You don’t even need to have devices in the same room. I’m usually in my recliner while my Mac is in my home office. I also transfer files from Mac to iPhone the same way. Now & then I’ll move a group of photos that way.

 

[Petite messe solennelle]

- Use iCloud Drive with end-to-end encryption (https://support.apple.com/en-us/102651)
- Use another cloud with end-to-end encryption (like Dropbox Business, etc.)
- Use iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc. with an open source encryption software (like Cryptomator, etc.)
- Host a cloud on your own server at work or at home (like NextCloud, SeaFile, etc.)