Transferring Data Between MacBooks Using Target Disk Mode

If you have an older MacBook with a broken display, you might be looking to transfer data to your newer MacBook. Connecting your devices using a USB-C cable may not be sufficient because a USB-C cable is not a Thunderbolt 3 cable, even though the connectors appear similar. The solution lies in using Target Disk Mode.

Understanding Target Disk Mode

Target Disk Mode is a built-in feature in macOS that allows you to temporarily turn your Mac into an external hard drive. This feature is especially useful when you need to transfer data between two MacBooks without a working display. It works by essentially turning the old MacBook into a device and the new MacBook into a host. This ensures that one device can provide data to the other, circumventing the issue of both MacBooks trying to function as both hosts and devices.

Enabling Target Disk Mode

To enable Target Disk Mode, follow these steps:

Turn off the older MacBook with the broken display. Connect the older MacBook to the working MacBook using a USB-C connector cable. Make sure the cable is a high-quality one to ensure proper data transfer. Turn on the older MacBook and immediately press and hold the T key on the keyboard. Keep holding the T key until you see the Target Disk Mode icon on the screen. Once the older MacBook is in Target Disk Mode, it will appear as an external drive on the working MacBook. OpenFinder on the working MacBook and select the older MacBook from the list of external drives. You can copy your files directly from the older MacBook to the working MacBook's storage.

Alternative Method: External Monitor

If you have an external monitor, you can connect it to your old MacBook to make it easier to transfer data.

Here’s how you can do it:

Connect your old MacBook to an external monitor using the appropriate cable or adapter. Use the external monitor to display the contents of your old MacBook, making the process of file transfer more accessible. Once you have easy access to your files, transfer them to your new MacBook as needed.

Thunderbolt Support in MacBooks

It’s important to note that the MacBook models discontinued in 2018 did not support Thunderbolt. If you are using a USB-C cable for data transfer, make sure it is a high-quality one. Later models of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro support Thunderbolt over USB-C ports, but older models do not.

By using either Target Disk Mode or an external monitor, you can efficiently transfer data between your MacBooks, even if one of them has a broken display. Remember, proper cable quality and the use of Target Disk Mode are key to successful data transfer.