Mac steam on external hard drive

[Cow002]

I do it on windows with no problem, but am having trouble figuring out how to do this on mac. I can't seem to download the client on to the external hard drive.

[d10sfan]

For the application, you can just drag it to your external drive. If you want to have your steam content on your external drive, you will need to make a symbolic link (ln) using Terminal. Basically you need the use the ln -s command to link the steam content to your external drive.

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/172/create_a_symbolic_link_in_unix_solaris_linux/

[Cow002]

Thank you very much. Only problem is that when I go to drag the application to the hard drive, I get an O with a slash indicating that it won't do that. Any ideas?

[d10sfan]

Can you copy other files onto that drive? Is it formatted in a os x format?

[Cow002]

Aparently not:(. I just made a pages document titled untitled, and it said "document "untitled cannot be saved as "untitled". Read only file system."
It's a 250 gb western digital. It was supposed to be dual OS, but now that I think about it, i reformatted it into ntfs back when I couldn't play l4d2 during a temporary bad patch.....did I ruin it?

[Sultan_Of_Ping]

No but you will need to reformat it if you plan to run the app from it. I don't think symlinks work properly from samba shares etc... So you will need to put it back to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

Obviously back all your data up before you do anything else :)

[RizlaRed]

I just left a support question/feedback about this. I'm using a Macbook Pro with 160GB internal drive and I really can't afford downloading and installing games on it, while having over 2TB worth of external drives using an e-sata connection. I would prefer keeping games in an external drive anyway (that's where I keep them so far).

Thank you d10sfan for suggesting a solution, but I'm really not good with using Terminal, and I tried linking the directories but it seems it doesn't recognise the "Steam Content" directory when I type it, probably because it has a space character in there.
Is it possible that someone can provide instructions on how to do this for steam?

Also, is it possible to un-link the directories, so we can revert to how it was before if something goes wrong?

[PhantomAGN]

Your issue is with OSX not wanting to write to windows-formatted drives.
There is a hack to make it do this, but it endangers the drive because the feature is not really ready for being used (which is why it is hidden!).

Alternatively, MacFUSE can provide NTFS read/write, but I am not sure if it has been updated for 10.6.

[Cow002]

Ok, so there's not simple answer to the problem?

[Fuzz Bucket]

Open the Disk Utility and format the drive as "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)."

[PhantomAGN]

That's simple, and a terrible idea if you have things you want to keep.

[Clanhelio]

For the application, you can just drag it to your external drive. If you want to have your steam content on your external drive, you will need to make a symbolic link (ln) using Terminal. Basically you need the use the ln -s command to link the steam content to your external drive.

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/172/create_a_symbolic_link_in_unix_solaris_linux/

I tried this, but now Steam is saying I have 0 mb of space available

[Sultan_Of_Ping]

Ok Back up the data on the external drive.

Partition the external drive with two partitions under Mac OS X. One Mac OS X Extended and the other as Fat. Then you can create the symblinks onto the os x drive. Under windows repartition the fat portion to ntfs and install macfuse onto your mac to be able to read and write to both and install HFSExplorer onto your windows rig to read/write to osx extended.

[PhantomAGN]

Nowadays Bootcamp installs drivers for reading mac format drives, but this may be vista-only or something.
That would make HFSExplorer unneeded.

Try macfuse and NTFS-3G.

[t1du]

Why do you want the application on an external drive?

If you just want to install the games on the external drive to save your internal some space, the first reply was your answer.

For the application, you can just drag it to your external drive. If you want to have your steam content on your external drive, you will need to make a symbolic link (ln) using Terminal. Basically you need the use the ln -s command to link the steam content to your external drive.

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/172/create_a_symbolic_link_in_unix_solaris_linux/

[PhantomAGN]

If you just want to install the games on the external drive to save your internal some space, the first reply was your answer. His drive is not formatted for mac, he cannot write to it under Mac OS yet.

[Clanhelio]

Why do you want the application on an external drive?

If you just want to install the games on the external drive to save your internal some space, the first reply was your answer.

I'm not OP, but this isn't working for me, halp!

[Sultan_Of_Ping]

Nowadays Bootcamp installs drivers for reading mac format drives, but this may be vista-only or something.
That would make HFSExplorer unneeded.

Bootcamp doesn't allow an ntfs partition to write to osx extended, hence hfsexplorer or similar is needed. Apple has released read-only HFS+ drivers for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 in Boot Camp.

[Clanhelio]

My problem was there was a space in the folder name. Poo.

[plasmaman]

Ok, just to get a CLEAR answer-

I have a very small HDD- 80GB, which has been "boot-camp'ed" anyway, so I need to save space.
I tried to do the terminal command line, but it tells me that there is "no such file or directory"

It is a properly formatted drive, so I have no issues there. I just want to run Steam games off my external Hard-drive, just like I'm able to in Windows!

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

Also, the reason I have windows is for windows-specific programs that I require for uni, so although I *can* play Steam games on windows, I'd rather use Mac as it's my primary OS.

[Sultan_Of_Ping]

I am not really sure that you will get any benefit from running steam in this way. Considering its on just an 80GB drive it seems to be making things overly complicated. My steam folder is 300gb on its own on windows and while not that many games are available on Mac yet, it only takes a few larger games that are 15gb in size and your back to having to redo everything again. If your primary HDD is too small, it maybe better to invest in an internal replacement. HDD are very cheap these days and easy to install in both laptops and desktops.

With Steam on Mac still being developed and improved adding in more complications seems to be counter-productive. If steam change the pkg so you can choose installation paths then it maybe an option, but until then it seems a bit pointless.

Anyway, backup, open disk utility, erase the drive and partition as mac os x extended journaled and thats about it. Create the links etc... and your away.

[nciceman]

Not being able to choose where gigabytes of data are stored is inexcusable. I have a hard drive dedicated to games, and not being able to put my steam installation on it took me completely by surprise.

Valve, please patch this as soon as possible.

[RizlaRed]

Thank you d10sfan for suggesting a solution, but I'm really not good with using Terminal, and I tried linking the directories but it seems it doesn't recognise the "Steam Content" directory when I type it, probably because it has a space character in there.
Is it possible that someone can provide instructions on how to do this for steam?

My problem was there was a space in the folder name. Poo.

I tried to do the terminal command line, but it tells me that there is "no such file or directory

Guys, we are not experienced with the Terminal and we keep saying that we have this same problem. I really don't understand why nobody seems to notice that. Repeating "all you need is to link the directories" and referencing that external tutorial doesn't give any answers. :)

[Clanhelio]

I just made the folder I was linking to have no spaces, and it worked. Then I renamed the little folder thingy that popped up where you told it to to "Steam Content".

[Sultan_Of_Ping]

If you open your terminal and type in man ln, it will provide you with instructions on using this command.

remember paths with spaces in need to be in between "" or have a Backslash in

"Steam Content" or /Steam\ Content/

Personally i wouldn't put them on an external drive unless the package allowed for custom install.

Good Luck

[Cow002]

No but you will need to reformat it if you plan to run the app from it. I don't think symlinks work properly from samba shares etc... So you will need to put it back to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

Obviously back all your data up before you do anything else :)

Sounds like this is the way to go if anything.

The reason I want the client on the external is so it installs and updates automatically using the memory from that drive and not my primary.

I think I'll just keep it how it is though to be honest. I only wanted a few key games for my mac side anyways....I guess the external is simply to run windows then :D.

[ilovecomputers]

Here's a possible solution: Turn an external drive into a startup disk and install Steam on that.

Soooo..if you have an external drive with a firewire port or a network interface (which I mean you connect to it via an ethernet cord), then you can install OSX on it.

Now I don't know if Apple allows you to install OSX on a different hard drive (I've never done it), but if you can't or don't want to, you can also copy the hard drive you have now onto the disk. You can also use Super Duper (http://www.shirt-pocket.com/superduper/superduperdescription.html) to copy your hard drive onto the external.

So once you have OSX on your external hard drive, just connect it to your mac and restart while you hold down the option key (or hold down N to enter a network drive) to enter a screen which lets you pick which drive to enter. If your drive isn't showing up in the list of drives to boot up into, you can try to set it up in System Preferences under startup disk.


I haven't done this, but if anyone this takes this route, please inform us of the results.

Thanks,
i❤computers

[Cow002]

Here's a possible solution: Turn an external drive into a startup disk and install Steam on that.

Soooo..if you have an external drive with a firewire port or a network interface (which I mean you connect to it via an ethernet cord), then you can install OSX on it.

Now I don't know if Apple allows you to install OSX on a different hard drive (I've never done it), but if you can't or don't want to, you can also copy the hard drive you have now onto the disk. You can also use Super Duper (http://www.shirt-pocket.com/superduper/superduperdescription.html) to copy your hard drive onto the external.

So once you have OSX on your external hard drive, just connect it to your mac and restart while you hold down the option key (or hold down N to enter a network drive) to enter a screen which lets you pick which drive to enter. If your drive isn't showing up in the list of drives to boot up into, you can try to set it up in System Preferences under startup disk.


I haven't done this, but if anyone this takes this route, please inform us of the results.

Thanks,
i❤computers

While I'm interested, it seems needlessly complicated. Besides, it would get rid of all my windows files and I wouldn't have room for that on my hard drive. If I did this, all I would have is a macbookpro and a usb driven miniature mini mac.

[ilovecomputers]

While I'm interested, it seems needlessly complicated. Besides, it would get rid of all my windows files and I wouldn't have room for that on my hard drive. If I did this, all I would have is a macbookpro and a usb driven miniature mini mac.

Compared to the terminal option, this is easier because Apple already has it set up for you, you just need to follow their steps. However, since you don't want to mess up your pre-existing HDD, then I guess we all have to wait for Steam to implement an external load feature.

[LightBrigade]

All,

for the problems regarding linking of the correct folders to run steam from a disk that is not the primary hard disk, I did it with a disk image here (http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1265354). This will work just as well with a HFS+ formatted external drive, just change the Volume name or commands accordingly. And remember to use \ to escape any spaces in path directories...

[RizlaRed]

Ok I got it working as well, I had to use quotation marks " " for the terminal to understand the spaces.
It seems it created an alias folder, which just might be simpler to do. I'm not sure it's the same thing though, but it's working great.

The only problem is that it still checks the internal disk for free space, and if it doesn't have enough space it doesn't let me download. But still beats having to actually install all games in the internal drive. Hopefully this issue will be addressed some time soon.

[Cow002]

Ok I got it working as well, I had to use quotation marks " " for the terminal to understand the spaces.
It seems it created an alias folder, which just might be simpler to do. I'm not sure it's the same thing though, but it's working great.

The only problem is that it still checks the internal disk for free space, and if it doesn't have enough space it doesn't let me download. But still beats having to actually install all games in the internal drive. Hopefully this issue will be addressed some time soon.

I really don't think it's an issue with them as much as it is with us (with ntfs hard drives). It's the way the file systems are more than anything. I'm not sure they can release anything that would accommodate for my situation.

[vampyren]

Now that i have tested Steam on my MBP i have to say its a bit annoying that you can not decide the location really. I thought all the contents would be placed within the .app but since it save things under Documents-->Steam Content i dont see why they could not have this as a option to change to other locations.
Also Steam is very buggy, it managed to crash after 15 min of browsing the games but thats another topic :)

[huntn]

I've read down through this thread and maybe you guys can help me. I'm using a MBP and trying to put my Steam content on an external WD Passport drive that has been formatted to Mac OS Extended Journaled. I've all ready got my Steam application there. That was no problem.

In the Documents folder I found the Steam Content folder. I moved that to my external drive. Then I made an alias of it and changed the alias name, removing the "alias" in the name so it is just "Steam Content".

So now when I launch Mac Steam I get this message: Steam requires that /Users/name/Documents/Steam Content be created on a case insensitive filesystem with read write access. The external drive has the same formatting as my MBP's internal drive. Why is it saying that?

Do you think that using the terminal to create the link would work better? I'll give that a shot and see what happens. :)

Edit: I need a better description on symbolic links than the one posted at the beginning of this thread. I tried the "1n -s" command and "-s" (without quotes) and got the message "unknown command" in the Terminal. When I tried "ln -s", I got the message "illegal option". In both cases I dragged the alias folder (in Documents) to the terminal window (which displays it's directory) and then dragged the new Steam Content folder to the terminal window then pressed return. Maybe I'm just messing up the syntax somehow? Can anyone point me at one? Thanks!
-Dave

EDIT2: OK, I think I got it. I was trying to link my alias in documents to the real folder in my external drive. Instead, I linked a real folder to the Steam Content folder on my ext drive using the "ln -s" command. Headn for work now. Tonight I'll try to download a game and see if the link is actually pointing to my external drive, then report back. Thanks! :)

Thanks!

[huntn]

Ok I got it. Thanks! :):) I have posted a detailed description of how I got this to work: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15322619#post15322619.
-Dave

[ReubenF]

I thought I had it but apparantly not. When I try to download a game, Steam still tells me I only have about 5000MB avaiable indicating it is still looking at my internal hd.

So my question: to make a symbolic link, what exactly needs to be put into my documents folder, an alias or a folder or somethng else? Thanks!
-Dave

The only thing that should go in your Documents folder is a symbolic link (not an alias) named "Steam Content". This file is created when you run the ln command. If you still have a folder or alias with the name "Steam Content" in the Documents folder when you run the ln command, the ln command will fail to create the symbolic link.

[NSGod]

The only thing that should go in your Documents folder is a symbolic link (not an alias) named "Steam Content". This file is created when you run the ln command. If you still have a folder or alias with the name "Steam Content" in the Documents folder when you run the ln command, the ln command will fail to create the symbolic link.

When I'm back in OS X (in Windows 7 at the moment), I'll whip up an AppleScript to help automate this (no Terminal required).

[NSGod]

The only thing that should go in your Documents folder is a symbolic link (not an alias) named "Steam Content". This file is created when you run the ln command. If you still have a folder or alias with the name "Steam Content" in the Documents folder when you run the ln command, the ln command will fail to create the symbolic link.

Well, I said AppleScript, but in the end it was just easier to create a quick Cocoa app: Steam Content Helper.app (http://www.markdouma.com/developer/SteamContentHelper.zip) (.zip, ~ 80 KB). (I automatically rename any existing item (whether it be symlink, or original folder with content) at /Users/~/Documents/Steam Content/, to make way for the symlink that's saved). Just download, unzip, launch and follow the directions. If users find it helpful, maybe we could make this a sticky?

P.S., Reuben, I've had to deal with a similar issue before with some of my apps: what to do if the user drags your app to the Trash and wants to delete it. While I never did have to implement that feature, I did come up with a couple of ways I might have approached it; my steam name is "markdouma" if I might be of help.

[huntn]

Well, I said AppleScript, but in the end it was just easier to create a quick Cocoa app: Steam Content Helper.app (http://www.markdouma.com/developer/SteamContentHelper.zip) (.zip, ~ 80 KB). (I automatically rename any existing item (whether it be symlink, or original folder with content) at /Users/~/Documents/Steam Content/, to make way for the symlink that's saved). Just download, unzip, launch and follow the directions. If users find it helpful, maybe we could make this a sticky?

P.S., Reuben, I've had to deal with a similar issue before with some of my apps: what to do if the user drags your app to the Trash and wants to delete it. While I never did have to implement that feature, I did come up with a couple of ways I might have approached it; my steam name is "markdouma" if I might be of help.

Thanks for the help. I linked your application in this MacRumors.com (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=10077134#post10077134) thread and put it a new MacRumors Guide (http://guides.macrumors.com/Symbolic_Link_%28Fixing_Steam_Content%29).

[RcknShdw]

Well, I said AppleScript, but in the end it was just easier to create a quick Cocoa app: Steam Content Helper.app (http://www.markdouma.com/developer/SteamContentHelper.zip) (.zip, ~ 80 KB). (I automatically rename any existing item (whether it be symlink, or original folder with content) at /Users/~/Documents/Steam Content/, to make way for the symlink that's saved). Just download, unzip, launch and follow the directions. If users find it helpful, maybe we could make this a sticky?

P.S., Reuben, I've had to deal with a similar issue before with some of my apps: what to do if the user drags your app to the Trash and wants to delete it. While I never did have to implement that feature, I did come up with a couple of ways I might have approached it; my steam name is "markdouma" if I might be of help.

I just bought a Seagate 500GB external HDD to help unload the stress of downloads, music, etc on my mini's internal HDD. Works wonderful when I moved everything over in Windows 7 but I was having hair pulling fits until I found this! Thanks for the app, it worked beautifully! + Rep for you :)

[Cow002]

Well, I said AppleScript, but in the end it was just easier to create a quick Cocoa app: Steam Content Helper.app (http://www.markdouma.com/developer/SteamContentHelper.zip) (.zip, ~ 80 KB). (I automatically rename any existing item (whether it be symlink, or original folder with content) at /Users/~/Documents/Steam Content/, to make way for the symlink that's saved). Just download, unzip, launch and follow the directions. If users find it helpful, maybe we could make this a sticky?

P.S., Reuben, I've had to deal with a similar issue before with some of my apps: what to do if the user drags your app to the Trash and wants to delete it. While I never did have to implement that feature, I did come up with a couple of ways I might have approached it; my steam name is "markdouma" if I might be of help.

Wow, thanks a ton. While I still need to change the file system of my external hard drive and can't use this, it looks very straight forward. I'll try it once I figure out what to do with all of that data.

[tbone2709]

Now that steam has moved it's content folder, will it be easier to install games/ steam to an external HD, as by the looks of things I am going to have to do this soon.

[mac101]

Ok I found this pice of software SymbolicLinker 2.0

http://seiryu.home.comcast.net/~seiryu/software/SymbolicLinker2.0v2.dmg

Instructions is included!

1. Install Steam and log inn for the first time. Quit Application before proceeding to next step.

2. Go to Homefolder/Library/Application Support/ Then copy or move the whole folder to your mounted disk.

3. Go to Homefolder/Library There you either locate or create "Services" folder.

4. Drag SymbolicLinker.service in to the "Service" folder, double-click on it to activate. You can right click on the "Steam" folder on your mounted disk go down to Services and then to Make Symbolic Link.

5. Copy the shortcut folder named "Steam SymLink" to Homefolder/Library/Application Support, delete "Steam" folder then rename the "Steam Symlink" to "Steam". Now you are done!

6. Just a tip don´t delete the "Steam SymLink" it can be copied to any Mac and be used without any applications all u need to do then is described in step 5.

This is just awesome and all features Work!

Say Thanks to Nick for making this software! http://seiryu.home.comcast.net/~seiryu/

[NSGod]

Wow, thanks a ton. While I still need to change the file system of my external hard drive and can't use this, it looks very straight forward. I'll try it once I figure out what to do with all of that data.

That reminds me, most recent version is now at http://www.markdouma.com/sourcefinagler/.

[Fuzz Bucket]

You could use the FUSE to get read/write access to the NTFS volume. However, I would not recommend this for any kind of prolonged use as it is a massive performance hit.

I would recommend just formatting the volume to be HFS+ with the Disk Utility.

Unfortunately, Valve does not let us pick where the content goes. If you want to "move" it elsewhere, you will have to make a symbolic link (man ln in the terminal). Keep in mind that doing this is essentially just like having the files at the location of the symlink. Any application will follow the smylink without question, including backup utilities. If you do not want the content backed up, you will still have to exempt the path.

[NSGod]

Unfortunately, Valve does not let us pick where the content goes. If you want to "move" it elsewhere, you will have to make a symbolic link (man ln in the terminal).

Um, or, use the helper app I created (http://www.markdouma.com/sourcefinagler/). ;)

[Fuzz Bucket]

Um, or, use the helper app I created (http://www.markdouma.com/sourcefinagler/). ;)

People should learn first. :U

[GMC]

Hi everybody!

I recently bought a Time Capsule. I've mounted it and it works perfectly with my MacBook.

I moved the SteamApps folder onto it, and created a symbolic link, which works perfectly, too: even the SourceFinagler application sees the directory on the Capsule as the current SteamApps folder.

The problem is, that most games, which used to work before the moving, now just don't work anymore:
Braid, for example, says that I should make sure that I'm starting it through Steam (which is, of course, what I'm trying to do);
Team Fortress 2 gives me a "CD Key" error (?), and, what probably may be of help is, that, in the main menu, it says "Welcome back, unknown" (instead of using my Steam name).

What I have also noticed is, that the games which I didn't pay for - such as the complimentary Portal and Half Life 2, which is a gift from a friend - still work very well, even after the moving. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but maybe not...

I really don't know what to do or even think of: I'm sure that the Symlink works, because, when I click on it, it brings me to the right folder.

Thanks in advance to whomever can help me on this.

GMC

P.S. Maybe it's useful to specify, for those who don't know, that a Time Capsule is, among other things, an external HD which is linked to the computer through an Ethernet cable or through a wireless connection. It's still "seen" as a normal external drive, though.

[rayleterleir]

No but you will need to reformat it if you plan to run the app from it. I don't think symlinks work properly from samba shares etc... So you will need to put it back to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

Obviously back all your data up before you do anything else :)

As a suggestion, format it as exFAT. The latest Mac OS X had Read/Write support and so does Windows. Makes it a great cross-platform file system.

[MacHarborGuy]

As a suggestion, format it as exFAT. The latest Mac OS X had Read/Write support and so does Windows. Makes it a great cross-platform file system.

I was hoping someone would suggest this. From the wikipedia article...


- 255 character file names
- file sizes up to 64 zebibytes (ZiB, well over 1 million gigabytes)
- volume sizes up to 64 zebibytes (ZiB)
- supported attributes: Read-only, hidden, system, volume label, subdirectory, archive

MacOS X 10.6.5+ and Windows XP SP2 thru Win7 all support it.

As soon as I learned about this I switched all of my thumb drives over to it.