# File Provider for Mac

ShareFile for Mac uses Apple's **FileProvider API** to sync data between your local Mac and online storage.

## Supported OS versions

* macOS 13 Ventura or later

Download [ShareFile for Mac](https://dl.sharefile.com/sfmac).

## Notable features

* **Easy installation**: Users do not have to configure system security, approve a kernel extension, or reboot.

* **Spotlight integration**: Accessed files and folders are indexed and appear in **Spotlight** search.

* **Co-editing**: ShareFile for Mac now supports co-editing with Microsoft Office 365.

## Using Finder

* **Finder**: ShareFile is listed as a location in the **Finder** sidebar.

  ![Finder sidebar](https://docs.sharefile.com/en-us/sharefile/assets/b833b52512fcd2d640580c7c38fd3cbf/open-edit-sf-mc-file-2.png)

* **Offline settings**: Offline settings for files and folders are now managed by cloud icons.

  > This new behavior is part of Apple's FileProvider API.

  ![Open file in Mac screen](https://docs.sharefile.com/en-us/sharefile/assets/276244a9dc2bf09bce88ad036c9db800/cfm2-offline-settings.png)

* **Cloud badges**: Cloud badges are no longer displayed for files and folders.

  * A cloud icon indicates that the file is not cached for offline use.
    ![No cloud](https://docs.sharefile.com/en-us/sharefile/assets/0d08b95ccf11a8f8a20aa0b82a3d2dce/cfm3-no-cloud.png)

  * If there is no cloud icon next to a file, it means that the file is cached and available for offline use.

  * Clicking the cloud icon downloads the file.

  * Clicking the cloud icon of a folder downloads the entire folder and contents.

* **Badge overlay**: Badge overlay icons on files display differently. ![No cloud](https://docs.sharefile.com/en-us/sharefile/assets/1fdc6768a8b53b11b3e6e4aec9efc629/cfm4-badge-overlay.png)

* **Preferences**: Preferences have been adjusted.

  > Settings regarding caching and Offline Sync are no longer applicable

  ![Open file in Mac screen](https://docs.sharefile.com/en-us/sharefile/assets/3bfccd3164edff19a925ab1163d7898e/cfm5-preferences.png)

* **Context menu**: Context menu options are adjusted.

  ![Finder sidebar](https://docs.sharefile.com/en-us/sharefile/assets/fe104c6dc8f2837a8d6ab3b20fa202f6/cfm6-context-menu.png)

* **Favorites**: The contents of the favorites folder now consists of shortcut links pointing to the original items.

  ![Favorites](https://docs.sharefile.com/en-us/sharefile/assets/a6af4bd283d54c227a7eb4e46f0eef83/cfm7-fav-short.png)

## FAQ about FileProvider

### What happens to cached/offline data from the previous installation of ShareFile for Mac?

The files remain cached on the local system.

> **Note:**
>
> Resetting app settings will remove cached data from the older version of ShareFile for Mac.

### Where are the files I have downloaded/edited, cached?

The files in **Finder** are the actual files, there is no longer a corresponding cache folder for files that appear within ShareFile.

### What can I do when encountering an issue?

Please report any issues through the help menu before troubleshooting.

![Help](https://docs.sharefile.com/en-us/sharefile/assets/5e526172b94a306071eb53ed4a2276a3/sf-mac-send-log-2.png)

![Help two](https://docs.sharefile.com/en-us/sharefile/assets/a210fb572085e48a86febaa7bb3649d5/sf-mac-send-log-3.png)

## General known issues with workarounds

* **Files must be completely downloaded before opening (Ex: streaming a video file).**

  * **Workaround**: None.

* **Offline/Cached from previous versions of SFMac will not be available.**

  * **Workaround**: None.

* **Offline/Cached content from one account is lost when switching to a different account.**

  * **Workaround**: None.

  > **Note:**
  >
  > The app displays a warning and requires confirmation before removing content.