macOS Finder is still bad at network file copies

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

macOS network file copies & SMB/NFS issues

  • Many report unreliable SMB behavior on macOS: random disconnects, re‑auth failures that require reboot, slow thumbnail rendering, and multi‑second delays opening simple files from NAS.
  • Some say SMB, NFS, and iSCSI are all buggy or slow on macOS; iSCSI needs third‑party tools and performs poorly.
  • Workarounds discussed:
    • Connect via IP address (smb://ip) instead of hostname; name-based access is described as especially flaky.
    • Use mDNS/Avahi tricks to advertise SMB like old AFP shares, which some say improves caching/lookup.
    • Prefer NFS for performance with NAS boxes (e.g., Synology) when SMB tuning fails.
    • Use NAS web UI, SFTP/ssh, or third-party tools when Finder over SMB is too unreliable.
  • A few report mostly smooth SMB experience with careful tuning (Apple’s own SMB guidelines, jumbo frames, disabling Wi‑Fi, ensuring SMB3, disabling .DS_Store on network volumes).

Finder usability & UX complaints

  • Many describe Finder as fundamentally awkward: weak icon view behavior, no obvious “up” button, hidden disks, confusing column view in save dialogs, and odd selection behavior.
  • Frequent annoyance: Enter/Return renames instead of opening; defenders cite historical convention and reduced accidental mass‑open, critics argue it’s unintuitive.
  • Hidden but useful features: Cmd+Up/Cmd+Down for parent/child navigation, title‑bar path menu, “Show Path Bar,” typing to jump to filenames, Quick Look (Space), “Inspector” for multi‑file info.
  • .DS_Store and resource fork artifacts (._*, __MACOSX) on non‑Mac volumes are widely disliked; some disable writing them on network shares.

Comparisons to Windows & Linux

  • Several see Windows Explorer as “good enough” and more reliable for local/network copies; others note Win11 regressions (slower, confusing context menu).
  • Some argue Finder’s feature set (Quick Look, spring‑loaded folders, etc.) is richer but undermined by bugs and poor performance.
  • Linux file managers (Dolphin, Nautilus/Thunar) are described as mixed: better in some ways than Finder, but with their own remote‑FS quirks.

Storage models, iCloud, and strategy

  • Multiple commenters suspect Apple’s expensive internal storage and iCloud subscription focus reduce incentives to make LAN/VPN file workflows (NAS, Time Capsule‑like devices) first‑class.
  • Creatives often end up with “stacks of external drives”; some see that as a robust, redundant, portable workflow, others question backup and retrieval pain.

Alternatives and coping strategies

  • Common tools to bypass Finder: command line (rsync, ditto, scp), Carbon Copy Cloner, third‑party file managers (Forklift, Path Finder), and remote tools (Transmit, Mountain Duck, File Browser Pro).
  • Some largely avoid Finder for serious file operations, citing long‑standing bugs and a sense that Apple is deprioritizing the Mac as a “tool” in favor of cloud‑centric, console‑like usage.