macOS, `rclone mount` with fuse-t via FSKit

Howto Guides
1

FSKit (native and modern way to access users’ filesystems on macOS) support is now available in fuse-t on macOS 26+.

It means that temperamental NFS server workaround (to avoid kernel extensions - kext) is not needed any more.

After fixing some teething issues it looks like it is working well enough to start using it (with v1.2.1)

You have to install fuse-t from releases’ page (or via brew) and enable macOS FSKit support. Run fuse-t.app for instructions:

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When enabled you should see:

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Now to use it with rclone run:

$ rclone mount remote: /path/to/mountpoint -o "backend=fskit"

or to make it default edit /Library/Application Support/fuse-t/cfg/fuse-t.ini

If you try and have any issues with fuse-t then please report it directly on fuse-t github page instead of here. Alex Fishman (the software author) is very responsive and acts quickly on any bugs.

PS. macFUSE offers NFSKit support too - but it is not ready for any serious use yet.

2

I installed the latest version of fuse-t (v1.2.1) but cannot enable the FSKit extension as the button is greyed out. I can still mount my remote but cannot use -o "backend=fskit"

How can I fix this problem? I am using a 15” M3 MacBook Air running MacOS Tahoe 26.3.1 (a)

3

start with updating your macOS to the latest one - 26.4. I have not tried with 26.3.1 (a)

4

Have you followed instructions to the letter? I remember I saw somewhere that button is greyed out unless you switch view to “By Category“

When seen in “By application“ view:

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When seen in “By Category“ view:

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This is some System Settings quirk. Since they started its re-design it is still full of bugs and incontinences IMO.

5

OK. I will try 26.4

Is this a significant improvement over regular fuse-t? At your recommendation I have been using it on my Mac for some time now & never had a problem. A little slow at times but otherwise usable.

6

In theory it should work better - it is truly native and recommended by Apple way to do it.

What the practice will be? We’ll see. I am using FSkit for few days now and so far it is ok - but it took few fuse-t updates to get here. Which means also that maybe some rough edges are still there to iron. More people try faster we get there.

7

Thanks for the prompt replies. I switched to view By Category & then could enable the extension. It all seems to be working OK with -o "backend=fskit" I use a Shortcut to do the rclone mount at Login so it all works when I reboot.

My backups are now complete so I will upgrade to MacOS 26.4 & report back. Apparently some people find their Mac is bricked after a failed upgrade to 26.4 :worried:

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8

hahah. Apparently some people report such situation after every macOS version…

9

Happily I didn't brick my MacBook Air when I upgraded to MacOS 26.4 & all appears to be working OK. It definitely seems a little snappier performing with fuse-t via FSKit

My cloud storage is Google Drive. I use the MBA when I want to do housekeeping & move files about. It’s really easy being able to use the Finder to access the files & evidently any copying of files is done server side & the files never get downloaded to the MBA.

1 Like
10

Glad to hear that all works. If you experience any issues please let us know.