Connect to a NAS or a shared folder on your network

Why it happens

Shared folders on a NAS or another computer don't appear on your Mac by themselves. Your Mac needs the device's address and a name and password it accepts, and then it mounts the folder so you can use it in Finder. Most home and office storage uses the smb:// type of address.

How to fix it

1. Find the address of the NAS or computer. It's usually its name followed by .local, or a number like 192.168.1.20, and you'll often find it in the NAS's own app or settings, or on its label.

2. Click the desktop or a Finder window, then choose Go > Connect to Server in the menu bar, or press Command-K.

   Finder›Go›Connect to Server…

3. Type the address with smb:// in front, for example smb://192.168.1.20, and click Connect. Click + first if you'd like to save it in the list for next time.

4. Choose Registered User and type the user name and password set up on the NAS or the other computer, not your Mac's own login unless they're the same. Tick Remember this password in my keychain so you don't have to type it again.

5. Pick the shared folder you want and click OK. It appears in Finder under Locations, and you can drag files in and out as usual.

Still not fixed?

1. If you see that the server may not exist or is unavailable, check the address for typos, make sure the NAS is switched on and on the same network as your Mac, and try its number address instead of its name. Turning off a VPN can also help.

2. If it says you don't have permission, the user name or password is wrong for that device, or that account isn't allowed into the folder. Ask whoever set up the NAS, or check its user settings.

3. If you're connecting to another Mac, that Mac needs File Sharing turned on, with the folder added to its shared list.

   General›Sharing›File Sharing

4. If network places don't show in the Finder sidebar, open Finder's Settings, click Sidebar, and tick Bonjour computers and Connected servers.

   Finder›Settings…›Sidebar

5. If the connection keeps dropping or says it was interrupted, restart the NAS and your router, and update the NAS's software. If other computers can reach it but no Mac on your network can, contact Apple Support. If nothing can reach it, contact the NAS maker's support.