How to use Target Disk Mode on Mac: Easy step-by-step guide

Target Disk Mode (TDM) for Mac: A Comprehensive Guide

Ever experienced a Mac malfunction or a failing internal drive requiring urgent data rescue? Target Disk Mode (TDM) is your solution. This guide details TDM setup and usage, including pro tips for smoother data management.

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Understanding Target Disk Mode

TDM is a boot mode transforming a Mac into an external drive accessible by another Mac. Once connected, the target Mac appears in the Finder, enabling data transfer, formatting, and partitioning. Under specific conditions (detailed below), the target Mac's OS can even boot the host Mac.

TDM setup varies:

• Apple Silicon Macs (M1-M4): Uses "Share Disk" or "Mac Sharing Mode," with a different process.
• macOS 11 Big Sur and later: Requires a Thunderbolt cable.
• Older macOS versions and Macs: Compatible with Thunderbolt, USB, or FireWire.

Learn more about macOS version compatibility

Tip: Before transferring, declutter your Mac. CleanMyMac efficiently removes old installers, unused documents, and unnecessary files, speeding up the transfer process.

Entering Target Disk Mode

The process differs slightly between Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Intel-based Macs:

1. Connect Macs using a USB, USB-C, or Thunderbolt cable.
2. Enter TDM on the external drive Mac:
   • Mac off: Hold the 'T' key during startup.
   • Mac on: Apple menu > System Settings > General > Startup Disk > Restart, select Target Disk Mode.
3. Open Finder on the host Mac.
4. The target Mac appears as an external disk. Double-click to access files.
5. Transfer files by dragging and dropping.
6. Power off and disconnect.

Troubleshooting unrecognized external drives

Tip: For large file transfers, Path Finder's dual-pane view and drag-and-drop functionality are significantly more efficient than Finder.

Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3/M4):

1. Connect Macs.
2. Shut down the target Mac.
3. Press and hold the power button until "Loading startup options" appears.
4. Click Options > Continue.
5. Select a startup disk > Next (macOS Recovery). Password may be required.
6. Choose Utilities > Share Disk.
7. Select disk/volume > Start Sharing.
8. Open Finder on the host Mac > Network under Locations.
9. Double-click the shared Mac.

Learn more about M1, M2, M3, and M4 chip differences

Tip: On Silicon Macs, power on the host Mac before putting the target Mac into TDM to prevent restart loops.

Data Transfer using Target Disk Mode

Transferring data is straightforward:

1. Prepare Macs: Use the correct cable (or adapter).
2. Enter TDM: Connect Macs.
3. Access the drive: On Intel Macs, the target Mac appears as an external disk (Macintosh HD). On Silicon Macs, access via Network in Finder.
4. Move files: Drag and drop.
5. Eject safely: Right-click and select Eject.
6. Power off: Power off the source Mac before disconnecting.

Transfer speeds vary; DCommander offers a faster, more controlled alternative for large file transfers.

Booting using Target Disk Mode

TDM also allows OS repair and booting another Mac (useful for OS issues or internal drive problems). Requirements:

• Identical Macs (year and model).
• Same OS version.

If these conditions are met:

1. Shut down both Macs.
2. Connect via Thunderbolt, USB-C, or FireWire.
3. Enter TDM on the source Mac.
4. Hold Option on the target Mac during startup.
5. Select the source Mac's drive (Macintosh HD).
6. Press Return to boot.

Alternatives to Target Disk Mode

While powerful, TDM isn't the only option:

• File Sharing: Apple's built-in file sharing is suitable for small file transfers over a network.

• Dropshare: Cloud file sharing app managing multiple cloud services.

• CloudMounter: Mounts cloud storage directly in Finder for easy access.

Conclusion

TDM remains a valuable macOS feature for data transfer and troubleshooting. CleanMyMac, Path Finder, DCommander, and CloudMounter enhance the process. All are available on Setapp with a 7-day free trial.

FAQ

• Do Macs still have TDM? Yes, although it's "Share Disk" on Apple Silicon Macs.
• Is TDM safe? Yes, but avoid disconnecting during transfers. Back up your data with Get Backup Pro.
• Do M1 Macs support TDM? They support the equivalent "Share Disk" mode.

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