users - Home directory on external drive - Ask Ubuntu

i have 2 (k)ubuntu-computers in 2 different homes. want them share user directory, however.

the optimum have local user profile on hard drive , 1 on external drive. syncing files via cloud or different okay if possible not preferable though.

i tried create user kuser home directory located on external drive not able log in. using usermod -d not working, too. method mentioned david förster did not allow me log in using desktop manager.

thanks in advance :d

sorry disagree method want use , proposed answer far difficult simple this.

you should not put /home/ on external disk. put user directories inside /home/$user/ on external disk. system supports putting user directories elsewhere file ~.config/users-dirs.dirs. perfect kind of setup. no need mess user-ids, uuids else.

1 simple reason why not put /home/ on external disk: there will problem in future external disk not mount , not able boot. making harder fix problems since need fix live session or grub rescue.

keep /home/ next /. when system not find external disk boot empty (blank) desktop /home/$user/ used base directory. still works , can use desktop session browse web/au problem face.

and need add both users same group , chown external disk group.

mind external disk must ext if want put /home/ on it. can not use ntfs. when use method describe above can use ntfs (the directories in /home/$user/ not require file permissions /home/ must have function).