How to get user home directory path (Users/"user name") without knowing the username in Swift3

Question

I am making a func that edits a text file in the Users/johnDoe Dir.

let filename = "random.txt"
let filePath = "/Users/johnDoe"
let replacementText = "random bits of text"
do {

 try replacementText.write(toFile: filePath, atomically: true, encoding: .utf8)

}catch let error as NSError {
print(error: + error.localizedDescription)
}

But I want to be able to have the path universal. Something like

let fileManager = FileManager.default
    let downloadsURL =  FileManager.default.urls(for: .downloadsDirectory, in: .userDomainMask).first! as NSURL
    let downloadsPath = downloadsURL.path

but for the JohnDoe folder. I haven't been able to find any documentation on how to do this. The closest thing I could find mentioned using NSHomeDirectory(). And I am not sure how to use it in this context.

when I try adding it like...

let fileManager = FileManager.default
    let downloadsURL =  FileManager.default.urls(for: NSHomeDirectory, in: .userDomainMask).first! as NSURL
    let downloadsPath = downloadsURL.path

I get an error:

"Cannot Convert value of type 'String' to expected argument type 'FileManager.SearchPathDirectory'"

I've tried it .NSHomeDirectory, .NSHomeDirectory(), NShomeDirectory, NShomeDirectory()

Leo Dabus · Accepted Answer · 2016-12-29T17:49:18.837

37

You can use FileManager property homeDirectoryForCurrentUser

let homeDirURL = FileManager.default.homeDirectoryForCurrentUser

If you need it to work with earlier OS versions than 10.12 you can use

let homeDirURL = URL(fileURLWithPath: NSHomeDirectory())

print(homeDirURL.path)

edited Dec 29 '16 at 17:49

answered Dec 29 '16 at 17:26

Leo Dabus

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You sir... I could kiss you write now =). very simple and works like a charm. I guess I was trying to over think it. – JonnyTombstone Dec 29 '16 at 18:20
6

This will return app's home folder instead of user's if sandbox – Oleksii Nezhyborets Jul 24 '19 at 15:34
This Answer is just for macOS, do we have home dir or something like that for iOS as well? – ios coder Jan 16 '22 at 14:26
@ioscoder There is no home folder for iOS. What you have is the documents directory – Leo Dabus Jan 16 '22 at 14:47
@ioscoder for more info about which folder to use you should take some time and read [File System Basics](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/FileManagement/Conceptual/FileSystemProgrammingGuide/FileSystemOverview/FileSystemOverview.html). If you would like to get a specific folder in your app check this post [Getting list of files in documents folder](https://stackoverflow.com/a/27722526/2303865) – Leo Dabus Jan 16 '22 at 14:48

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 29 '16 at 16:17

4

There should be an easier way but -- at worst -- this should work:

let filePath = NSString(string: "~").expandingTildeInPath

answered Dec 29 '16 at 16:17

Phillip Mills

30,584
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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 01 '22 at 17:02

0

Swift 5 (and maybe lower)

let directoryString: String = NSHomeDirectory()
let directoryURL: URL = FileManager.default.homeDirectoryForCurrentUser

answered Mar 01 '22 at 17:02

Justin Vallely

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score -1 · Answer 4 · answered Dec 29 '16 at 17:29

-1

Maybe

FileManager.homeDirectoryForCurrentUser: URL

It's listed as "beta" for 10.12, though.

answered Dec 29 '16 at 17:29

Mike

1

Yeah it works but only for 10.12+ I need it to work with 10.9 Up I should have mentioned that in my post sorry – JonnyTombstone Dec 29 '16 at 17:38
2

This doesn't add anything that isn't already in the accepted answer – Ky. Jul 12 '18 at 20:05

How to get user home directory path (Users/"user name") without knowing the username in Swift3

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