Apple has a vast variety of features that make the user’s experience as smooth as it can get. One of them is seamlessly transferring all your data among all of your Apple devices. However, when one chooses to use another device, all your valuable data stays locked up in the Apple environment. In this article, we will tell you how to seamlessly and securely transfer your data from Mac to Linux.
Use an FTP Client
One way of transferring data from Mac to Linux is using an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client. FTP is software that allows you to transfer files between two computers.
Many different FTP clients are available, you can use Filezilla since it’s free and easy to use. Once you’ve downloaded and installed Filezilla, open it up and enter the address of your Linux computer.
You also have to enter your username and password before you can start transferring files. Once connected, drag and drop the files you want to move into the Filezilla window.
The upside of this data transfer method is that it’s relatively quick and easy. The downside is that you’ll need to install additional software on your computer.
Use SSH
SSH (Secure Shell) is a perfect option for anyone comfortable with the command line. This is a type of network protocol that allows you to connect to another computer securely.
The SSH command is accessible from the Apple Menu. Then go to system preference, click on sharing, go to remote login, and there, you will have the SSH command.
To use SSH:
- Open the Terminal on your Mac by pressing key F4
- Enter the following command: ssh user@linux-computer-ip-address
- Replace user with your username on the Linux computer
- Replace Linux-computer-IP-address with the IP address of your Linux computer
- Enter your password when prompted
- Use the standard Linux commands to transfer files
For example, the “cp” command will allow you to copy files from one location to another. The upside of this data transfer method is that it’s relatively quick and easy. The downside is that you’ll need to be comfortable using the command line interface.
Use External Storage
Just as you would transfer data from Mac to Mac, you can use external storage to transfer data from Mac to Linux. The external storage could be a USB flash drive, an external hard drive, or even a regular old SD card.
Connect the external device, either the USB or SD card, to your Mac and copy over the files you want to transfer. Once done, disconnect the device and plug it into your Linux computer. Then, again, copy the files over, and you’re all set!
The upside of this data transfer method is that it’s quick and easy. The downside is that it might not be the most convenient option if you have a lot of data to transfer.
Use rsync
If you want to transfer data from Mac to Linux regularly, then you can use rsync. This is a utility that allows you to synchronize files between two computers.
To use rsync:
- Open the Terminal on your Mac by pressing the F4 key and inserting the Terminal
- Enter the following command: rsync -av /path/to/files user@linux-computer-ip-address:/path/to/destination
- Replace /path/to/files with the path of the files you want to transfer
- Replace user with your username on the Linux computer
- Replace Linux-computer-IP-address with the IP address of your Linux computer
- Replace /path/to/destination with the path of the destination folder on the Linux computer
- Enter your password when prompted
Once the transfer process is complete, you should see a list of all the files you transferred. The upside of this data transfer method is that it’s quick and easy. The downside is that you’ll need to be comfortable using the command line interface.
Note that while the transfer continues, you can view the progress in percentage form until done. You may choose to archive, verbose or compress the files for a faster transfer.
Use DropBox
If you are a new Linux user, DropBox is probably the easiest way to transfer data from Mac to Linux. This cloud storage service lets you store files online and access them from anywhere.
To use DropBox:
- Install DropBox on your Mac if you don’t already have one
- Log in to your account and select the files you want to transfer
- Click the Share button and choose Get Link
- Copy the link and send it to yourself via email or another messaging service
- Open the link on your Linux computer and download the files
The upside of this data transfer method is that it’s quick and easy. The downside is that you’ll need an internet connection to transfer files.
Final Thoughts
The best method to transfer data from Mac to Linux depends on your needs and preferences. DropBox is the most recommendable option if you’re looking for a quick and easy solution. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more advanced solution, rsync is the ideal choice.
