How To Merge Folders on MacOS?

Last Updated : 16 Jul, 2024

Merging folders on MacOS is a common task that helps keep your files organized and consolidated. Whether you are combining directories to streamline your workspace, organize backups, or simply reduce clutter, knowing how to merge folders efficiently can save time and improve productivity. This guide will walk you through the steps to merge folders on MacOS, using both built-in features and command-line tools. By following these instructions, you can combine folders on your Mac with ease, ensuring your files are systematically arranged and easily accessible.

How-to-merge-folders-in-Macos

In this article, we will discuss a handful of effective methods that can be used to merge folders depending on scenarios.

How to Merge Folders on MacOS With the Same Name?

Step 1: Hold the source folder & drag it to the location where another folder with the same name is present. While performing this make sure to hold the Option Key down there.

1--Drag-Folders

Step 2: A popup message will come. Click on the Merge option present there. The whole items will be merged into one folder.

2--Select-Merge

Hence, we have successfully merged two folders with the same name in the MacOS.

How to Merge Folders on MacOS With Different Names?

For joining two folders with different names, the following methods can be executed. We will start with the replace operation method.

Method 1: Using Replace Option

Step 1: Hold & drop the source folder where the latest items are present to the location where the folder with a different name exists.

3--Drag-Folders

Step 2: A popup window will arrive. Click on the Replace button to replace all the older items with the same name as the new ones from the source folder.

4--Click-Replace

Hence, we have successfully merged two folders with different names in the MacOS using Replace.

Method 2: Using Terminal

Open the terminal & execute the following command. It will take some time and all the items will get merged to the source folder destination.

Command: ditto -V <Source Folder Address> <Destination Folder Address>

5--Execute-Command

Hence, we have successfully merged two folders with different names in the MacOS using Terminal.

So, these are the simple methods you can execute based on your case. If you want to merge two folders with the same name, you won't need to perform any extra tasks. You should press the Merge button there. For merging two folders with different names but with the same file, use the Replace button instead.

Conclusion

Merging folders on MacOS is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your file management system. By utilizing the built-in features or command-line tools, you can efficiently combine directories and maintain a well-organized workspace. Regularly managing and merging folders not only helps in keeping your files in order but also improves overall system performance.