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Files and storage

Where files live​

Files saved in Ubuntu's home folder belong to that VM's writable disk. They are separate from your Mac's documents. Transit keeps its VM disks and downloaded operating system images locally, in the locations shown under Settings > Storage.

The downloaded base image is used to create VMs. Each VM has its own writable disk for changes, installed Linux apps and documents. Removing a download is different from deleting a VM.

Share a Mac folder with Ubuntu​

  1. Shut the VM down and wait for Stopped.
  2. Open the VM's Configure… action from the library, or More (…) > Configure… in its window.
  3. Under Storage & Sharing, choose Shared Folder > Choose….
  4. Select a folder in the macOS file picker. A dedicated folder such as Transit Shared makes it easier to keep track of what the guest can access.
  5. Start the VM again.
  6. In Ubuntu's Files app, open Other Locations > Computer > mnt > shared, or enter /mnt/shared in the location field.

Files saved in /mnt/shared appear in the Mac folder you selected, and files you place there on the Mac are available in Ubuntu. This is a shared writable folder, not an automatic backup or a separate cloud copy. Choose a folder whose contents you are comfortable making available to guest apps.

macOS grants Transit access through your folder selection. If you move the folder or disconnect its drive, reconnect it or select the folder again while the VM is stopped. Transit does not get unrestricted access to the Mac's files.

Clipboard sharing and dragging files across the Mac/guest boundary are unavailable. Use the shared folder for that exchange.

Use an external drive​

Open Settings > Storage. There are separate location choices for VM disks and Downloaded images. Choose a location through the Mac file picker, or choose Use default to return to local storage.

A location change affects future artifacts only. It does not move existing VMs or downloads. Keep the drive connected for VMs that already live there. If a selected location is unavailable, Transit reports it rather than silently using another disk.

Do not move, rename or edit a VM's managed files while it is running or paused. Wait for a clean shutdown before making a backup or disconnecting its drive.

Manage downloads​

Choose Settings > Storage > Manage downloaded images… to inspect the image library. Remove an image only when you no longer need that downloaded base. Follow the app's availability and removal messages; do not manually delete its supporting files while a download or VM operation is active.

Creating a VM again may require downloading an image you removed. Removing a downloaded base does not remove documents from another VM's writable disk.

Delete a VM​

Stop the VM, then use its library delete action and read the confirmation. Deleting a VM removes its managed local data. Copy important guest files to a shared folder or another backup first. Transit cannot recover deleted documents for you.

Subscription expiry does not delete local files. See subscription and access.