{"id":"data-transfers.transfer-between-folders-on-my-mac","url":"/faq/data-transfers/transfer-between-folders-on-my-mac","category":{"id":"data-transfers","title":"Data Transfers"},"subcategory":{"id":"setting-up","title":"Setting up a transfer"},"question":"Can I use Data Transfers to copy between two folders or drives on my Mac?","alt_questions":["local to local transfer storage studio","copy a folder to my external drive with data transfers","sync two local folders mac","mirror a folder to another drive","use transfers without any cloud account"],"short_answer":"Yes. Pick local folders or drives for both Source and Destination with the folder buttons. Copy, Move and both syncs all work locally — no cloud account needed.","answer_markdown":"Yes. Use the folder button on both fields to choose a folder on your Mac, your external drive or any other connected disk. Every operation works locally: Copy for a second copy, Sync (one-way) to keep a mirror of a folder on another drive, Bidirectional sync for two folders you edit, and Move to send files across and free the source.\n\nIf what you want is to free space on your Mac while keeping files reachable from their usual place, Data Parking is usually the better tool, because it leaves a shortcut behind.\n\nRelated: [Data Transfers or Data Parking?](/faq/data-transfers/data-transfers-vs-data-parking) · [Moving folders](/faq/moving-folders/)","answer_html":"

Yes. Use the folder button on both fields to choose a folder on your Mac, your external drive or any other connected disk. Every operation works locally: Copy for a second copy, Sync (one-way) to keep a mirror of a folder on another drive, Bidirectional sync for two folders you edit, and Move to send files across and free the source.

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If what you want is to free space on your Mac while keeping files reachable from their usual place, Data Parking is usually the better tool, because it leaves a shortcut behind.

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Related: Data Transfers or Data Parking? · Moving folders

","answer_text":"Yes. Use the folder button on both fields to choose a folder on your Mac, your external drive or any other connected disk. Every operation works locally: Copy for a second copy, Sync (one-way) to keep a mirror of a folder on another drive, Bidirectional sync for two folders you edit, and Move to send files across and free the source.\n\nIf what you want is to free space on your Mac while keeping files reachable from their usual place, Data Parking is usually the better tool, because it leaves a shortcut behind.\n\nRelated: Data Transfers or Data Parking? · Moving folders","tags":["local","external drive","folders"],"related":[{"id":"data-transfers.data-transfers-vs-data-parking","question":"Should I use Data Transfers or Data Parking?","url":"/faq/data-transfers/data-transfers-vs-data-parking"},{"id":"data-transfers.how-do-i-start-a-new-transfer","question":"How do I start a new transfer?","url":"/faq/data-transfers/how-do-i-start-a-new-transfer"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Can I use Data Transfers to copy between two folders or drives on my Mac? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Yes. Pick local folders or drives for both Source and Destination with the folder buttons. Copy, Move and both syncs all work locally — no cloud account needed.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Data Transfers","path":"/faq/data-transfers/"},{"name":"Can I use Data Transfers to copy between two folders or drives on my Mac?","path":"/faq/data-transfers/transfer-between-folders-on-my-mac"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/transfer-between-folders-on-my-mac","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I use Data Transfers to copy between two folders or drives on my Mac?","alternateName":["local to local transfer storage studio","copy a folder to my external drive with data transfers","sync two local folders mac","mirror a folder to another drive","use transfers without any cloud account"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Use the folder button on both fields to choose a folder on your Mac, your external drive or any other connected disk. Every operation works locally: Copy for a second copy, Sync (one-way) to keep a mirror of a folder on another drive, Bidirectional sync for two folders you edit, and Move to send files across and free the source.\n\nIf what you want is to free space on your Mac while keeping files reachable from their usual place, Data Parking is usually the better tool, because it leaves a shortcut behind.\n\nRelated: Data Transfers or Data Parking? · Moving folders","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/transfer-between-folders-on-my-mac"}}]},"fragment":"
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Data Transfers · Setting up a transfer

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Can I use Data Transfers to copy between two folders or drives on my Mac?

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Short answer: Yes. Pick local folders or drives for both Source and Destination with the folder buttons. Copy, Move and both syncs all work locally — no cloud account needed.

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Yes. Use the folder button on both fields to choose a folder on your Mac, your external drive or any other connected disk. Every operation works locally: Copy for a second copy, Sync (one-way) to keep a mirror of a folder on another drive, Bidirectional sync for two folders you edit, and Move to send files across and free the source.

\n

If what you want is to free space on your Mac while keeping files reachable from their usual place, Data Parking is usually the better tool, because it leaves a shortcut behind.

\n

Related: Data Transfers or Data Parking? · Moving folders

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