Image credit: įor MacBooks launched in 20, Apple introduced a data recovery port located on the logic board itself that allowed Geniuses to transfer data from a faulty Mac to a functioning one, but that port was removed from the MacBook Pros launched in 2018 meaning that Apple is cutting the branch out from under itself should a logic board failure occur. Considering that MacBook Pros now come with SSDs soldered onto the logic board, it’s wise to have a plan B in case the internal drive or logic board fails.Īpple has removed the data recovery port from the logic board on both 13-inch and 15-inch models with the Touch Bar, iFixit has found. Target disk mode is especially useful when rescuing data from failing internal drives.
Move files between Macs via Migration Assistant: This built-in software is great for moving settings and user data over from an old Mac to a new one without the use of iCloud or Time Machine. Connect the two Macs and use Disk Utility to repair the startup disk of the target disk mode Mac. Repair internal drive: Used by long-time Mac users as a method of troubleshooting startup disk issues or to quickly move huge files between Macs (an older, legacy method), target disk mode can be used to repair internal drives that are misbehaving. Click on the “Target Disk Mode” button to restart the system into the desired mode.
If your Mac is already running, you can use the system preferences pane to reboot it into target disk mode. On a wireless keyboard, press the T key only after hearing the chime (if applicable). That, however, is only possible if your keyboard is working. The easiest way is to start the Mac and press the T key down until you see a FireWire or Thunderbolt icon on the display. There are two ways to boot into target disk mode, either via a keyboard shortcut or via System Preferences. While it is possible to use target disk mode on laptops, to avoid a sudden drop in connection due to a drained battery it is better to connect your MacBook to a power source while using it as a target disk mode Mac.
You need a Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, Thunderbolt 2, or FireWire cable to establish a connection. target disk mode doesn’t support connections that use Apple USB-C Charge Cable, USB-A to USB-A cable, or the Mini DisplayPort cable. The right cable to make the connection between two Macs.To get started, you only need a few basic things: Troubleshoot your Mac by booting it from the target disk mode Mac.Use an optical drive on the target disk mode Mac as if it were attached to your computer.Verify the integrity of the targeted Mac’s startup disk and troubleshoot any problems.Copy files from one Mac to another via cable instead of sharing the same local network.