How-To: Transfer files quickly between two MacBook Pros using Thunderbolt 3 and Target Disk Mode [Video]

Target Disk Mode isn’t a new technology, but the fact that you can now transfer files using Thunderbolt 3 is new. Target Disk Mode allows you to quickly share files between two MacBook Pros using Thunderbolt 3. Watch our video walk-through as we guide you through the process step-by-step.

Target Disk Mode essentially mounts your Mac’s various disk volumes so that you can transfer files between the two machines at high speeds. It’s a great way to transfer huge files and folders between Macs, and it’s way faster than using something like AirDrop.

The main downside to using Target Disk Mode is that you have to power down the Mac that you wish to use as a disk. There are two ways to get into Target Disk Mode.

If your MacBook Pro is off…

Step 1: Hold the ‘T’ key while powering on your Mac to boot into Target Disk Mode, then skip to step 5 below.

Video walkthrough

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If your MacBook Pro is on…

Step 1: Connect two Thunderbolt 3-enabled Macs together with a Thunderbolt 3 cable. (Note that you will need a separate Thunderbolt 3 cable, as the 2-meter charge cable that ships with your MacBook Pro is USB 2.0 only, and doesn’t support Target Disk Mode.)

Step 2: Open System Preferences → Startup Disk.

Step 3: If necessary, click the lock button in the bottom left-hand corner of the Startup Disk window, enter your password, and click Unlock.

Step 4: Click the Target Disk Mode button and click Restart

Step 5: Once your Mac restarts, you will see Thunderbolt and USB icons on the screen. If you haven’t already connected  a Thunderbolt 3 cable between the two machines, now is the time to do so.

Step 6: Upon making the connection, the MacBook Pro that you designated as the Target Disk should show up in Finder. All available disks associated with that Mac will become available for file transfer to and from the target computer.

Step 7: Once you’re finished transferring files, eject the disk volume, and press the power button on the MacBook Pro that’s in Target Disk Mode to exit.

Quickbench results when using Target Disk Mode with Thunderbolt 3

Target Disk Mode won’t be something that you use every day, but for those occasions where you need to quickly transfer a large batch of files between two Macs, it can be a great tool.

For more information on the new MacBook Pro, be sure to read our full hands-on walkthrough of the Touch Bar-enabled model, and the regular model without Touch Bar.