Can't share files between host and guest

[ccJulia]

Hi there, using VirtualBuddy on my MacBook with macOS 15.5. I can set up VMs for different macOS', and I have run the VirtualBuddy Guest app in each. Originally, that wasn't sufficient to get even clipboard sharing to work, but after allowing Full Disk Access and Accessibility access in Settings → Privacy, Clipboard sharing started working again.

But now I'm still stuck because I can't share files between the host and the guest. I can see VirtualBuddyShared folder on the Desktop of the Guest, but I can't put any files in there – it tells me that I don't have permissions. I can't drag anything from the guest to the host, either, or vice versa.

I don't want to log in with my Apple Account inside of the guest. I know this might enable AirDrop, or I could just email myself some of the files (but some are way too large). Because I do a lot of testing for our developers, I need several fresh VMs per day, and associating them all with my Apple ID isn't feasible.

Would be happy to hear how to resolve file sharing between host and guest. Thank you!

[ayongbannayan]

For sharing, you can add a shared folder in the settings of the VM. There you can also set a shared folder as read or write.

You can also use macOS file sharing, so that you're using the standard share features of macOS. Under your Mac settings it's General>Sharing>File Sharing. You'll then find your machine under network in the finder.

[ccJulia]

Oh my goodness! You just made me realize where these Settings are that I need to change. I'd read through several other issues here, and couldn't for the life of me see the same options as everyone was referring to. I was always clicking Virtual Buddy → Settings in the menu bar; I hadn't realized there was another Settings button! So, just in case someone else as daft as I am struggles with this: the Virtual Machine Settings button is available when you click on a VM to launch it.

@ayongbannayan Set up the shared folder, and everything worked immediately. Thank you so much!

[gnachman]

I swear I'm not an idiot but there is no button to open virtual machine settings anywhere! Library has a list of VMs but no settings button. The context menu for items in Library does not offer settings. Clicking an item takes me to the VM. There's a download icon in the VM toolbar but it just says the feature was removed. Where the heck are vm settings?

[insidegui]

Which version of macOS / VirtualBuddy?

There should be a "Virtual Machine Settings" button below the "Boot in recovery mode", etc toggles.

[gnachman]

Version 2.1 (325)

These are the only windows I can find and none of them have VM Settings or Boot in recovery mode kinds of toggles.

[insidegui]

What about in the VM window before you start the VM? When it's showing a "play" button.

[gnachman]

Ah, that was it. I didn't realize I'd have to stop the VM to get to settings. Maybe have a settings button in the window titlebar that opens the settings panel with disabled items and a note that you must stop the VM to enable them to improve discoverability?