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File Sharing - macOS

Updated

BLS-KB14-602

Music files stored in macOS can be accessed by BluOS Players via the following options:

Network File Sharing (macOS)

Music files stored on a macOS (Ventura or previous versions) can be accessed by BluOS Players using SMB File sharing. By default, file sharing in macOS is not enabled.

To set up file sharing with macOS, perform the following procedures:
(Note: Refer to the macOS Network file sharing .pdf for screenshots of the following procedure.)

Allow Guest User Access (macOS)

  1. On your Mac, select the Apple menu blobid0.png > System Settings.
  2. Select Users & Groups in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
  3. Click the Info buttonmceclip0.pngon the right of the Guest User.
  4. Enable Allow guests to log in to this computer.
  5. Enable Allow guest users to connect to shared folders.
  6. Click Done.

For more information, refer to Apple's support site.

Identify the NetBIOS name (macOS)

  1. On your Mac, select the Apple menu blobid0.png > System Settings.
  2. Select Network in the sidebar.
  3. Select the Connected Network service on the right.
  4. Click on Details of the Connected network.
  5. Select WINS.
  6. Make a note of the NetBIOS name and select OK. (You will require this name while configuring File Sharing in BluOS Controller App.)

Set up file sharing (macOS)

  1. On your Mac, select the Apple menu blobid0.png > System Settings.
  2. Select General in the sidebar.
  3. Select Sharing.
  4. Enable File Sharing and click the Info buttonmceclip0.pngon the right.
  5. Click Options.
  6. Select Share files and folders using SMB checkbox.
  7. Click Done.
  8. To select a specific folder to share, click apple_add_icon.png button at the bottom of the Shared Folders list.
  9. Locate and select the required music folder, then click Add.
  10. Click Done.
  11. Close the System Settings window.
  12. Locate and Control-click (Right-click) the music folder.
  13. Select Get Info.
  14. Select the Sharing & Permissions section.
  15. If the lock iconmceclip2.pngat the bottom right is locked, click it to unlock the permissions.
  16. Set the Privilege to Read & Write for all users.
  17. Click the Action pop-up menumceclip1.pngat the bottom and select Apply to enclosed items.
  18. Click the lock iconmceclip2.pngto lock the permissions.

Note: Before proceeding, please wait about 5-10 minutes for your Mac computer to reflect the changes across the network.

Share Apple Music or iTunes Playlist (macOS)

Apple has changed how the iTunes or Apple Music app stores and organizes playlists. Refer to our Help Center article to import the Playlist to the BluOS Player:

Share your Music Library (BluOS Controller App)

  1. On the BluOS Controller App, select the Player Drawer and select any Player.
    (Note: If you have a wired Player, select that one over a wireless Player, as it will have a faster response time.)
  2. On the left Navigation Drawer, select Settings.
  3. Under MUSIC LIBRARY, select Network shares.
  4. Select Add shares.
  5. Enter the share name in the following format: 
    \\NetBIOS name\Folder
    NetBIOS name – Identified in Step 6 of Identify the NetBIOS name (macOS).
    Folder – folder name selected in Step 9 of Set up file sharing (macOS).
  6. Enter the User name and Password (if required) and select Add share.

When you receive the Share added message, the Player connects to macOS share and begins indexing.

You can monitor the Indexing from the Reindex music collection section.

(Note: The Player also indicates the indexing via Status Indicator LED or front panel messaging.)

The BluOS Controller App displays the recently added share files under Navigation Drawer > Library.

Reindex

Whenever you add or remove music files from the macOS file share, perform Reindex Music Collection to update the Library in the BluOS Controller App.

Local File Sharing (macOS)

Music tracks stored on a local macOS can be shared using the BluOS Controller App installed on the same macOS device.

To listen to local shares on the BluOS Player, perform the following steps:

(Note: Refer to the macOS local file sharing .pdf for screenshots of the following procedure.)

  1. Launch the BluOS Controller App on the Mac.
  2. Select any Player from the Player Drawer.
  3. Under the Navigation Drawer, select Settings > Music library > Local Shares.
  4. Click Add Folder.
  5. Choose the music folder you require to add and click Select.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Click Authenticate.
  8. If authentication is required, enter the password and click OK.
  9. Click Finish. The Player connects to the local macOS share and begins indexing.
    (Note: To monitor indexing progress, on the left Navigation Drawer, select Settings > Music library.)
  10. Select + to repeat and add additional folders, or X to exit the wizard.
  11. The BluOS Controller App displays the recently added music files under Navigation Drawer > Library.

Pro-Tips

  • Share System folder (temporarily)

    If you encounter issues when connecting a share that is a sub-folder(iTunes or New Songs) of a system folder(Music or Downloads), try sharing the system folder (Music or Downloads) with identical permissions of the sub-folder (iTunes or New Songs). 

    \\Computername\Music\iTunes

    \\ Computername\Downloads\New Songs

    Once the BluOS establishes a connection and indexes the local Library, stop sharing the system folder (Music or Downloads) as a personal security preference.

  • Security permissions
    When you establish the file-sharing setup and the songs/tracks do not appear in the Library, check if the folders have the wrong security permissions. Refer to our Help Center article for more information.
  • Security software
    If the shares cannot be discovered or fail to connect, check if any third-party security software interferes with the network setup. Refer to the third-party security software manual for troubleshooting steps.

Notes

  • BluOS cannot connect with macOS Tiger (10.4.x) or earlier versions. 

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