Target Disk Mode has been a feature of the macOS since the PowerBook pictured right was released way back in Use a startup keyboard shortcut: This is the simplest way to start up a Mac in Target Display Mode; it will work with any Mac that has a functioning keyboard. In addition, some third-party wireless keyboards may have a problem with keyboard shortcuts at startup.
How to Boot a Mac in Target Disk Mode
Hold down the T key and start up your Mac. The disadvantage is that you may need to use the Option key startup shortcut to reboot using your normal startup drive. To make changes, you may need to click the lock icon in the bottom left corner, then supply your administrator password and click the Unlock button. A sheet will drop down asking if you really want to restart your Mac in Target Disk Mode. Click the Restart button.
TUAW Tip: Wipe down an old Mac with Target Disk Mode
The usual course of action to salvage the internal drive is to install the drive in an external enclosure , take it to another Mac, and try any data recovery or repair utilities you may have. Target Disk Mode allows you to perform the same process, while skipping the disassembly of the Mac and the installation of the drive in an external enclosure. Migration Assistant: Another thing you can do with Target Disk Mode is use Migration Assistant to copy settings and user data from the drive to your new Mac. Migration Assistant will consider the Target Disk Mode drive to be just another startup drive that has a valid system installed on it.
Before Entering Target Disk Mode
This can be helpful if your Mac has a problem with its own internal drive, and you need to be able to boot the Mac in order to reinstall the OS or perform repairs. The process for booting from a Target Disk Mac is mostly the same as described above; connect the two Macs together and boot one Mac in Target Disk Mode. The difference is that instead of just starting up the second Mac, you hold down the Option key while starting up. Select the disk that corresponds to the target disk.
Booting will then continue, using the operating system installed on the target Mac. The two Macs should be of the same year and model. Different models and years have different support for internal hardware. The operating systems should be the same.
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What is Target Disk Mode?
Conny Conny 10 6 6 bronze badges. Two Macs. All of the connection types FireWire, Thunderbolt, and USB-C support hot connecting, meaning you can connect a cable between the two Macs while they are powered on.
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We recommend shutting down both Macs before proceeding, however. An appropriate cable to make the connection. There are, however, exceptions.
But not all adapters are known to work correctly in Target Disk Mode, so if you can, connect directly to the same port type. Tetsujin Tetsujin Thank you for the answer! That means that it is best to connect two similar ports and connections with two different ports might only be possible if the used ports are FireWire, Thunderbolt or USB-C, am I right?