Apple Thunderbolt Cable compatibility

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DaleMacsMac Author

Level 1

31 points

Apple Thunderbolt Cable compatibility

Two iMac desktop models from 2011 running High Sierra (10.13.6). Wanting to do a Target Disk Mode transfer from a crashed computer to a working one, using Apple Thunderbolt Cable (0.5 m) - White - Apple. However, the models they list under "Compatibility" are only: iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015) and iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014 - 2015). Just wanting to make sure the cable (which I assume is a Thunderbolt "1") will do the job. Anyone know For Sure? Thanks!

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Apr 20, 2023 5:04 PM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

89,974 points

Apr 20, 2023 6:29 PM in response to DaleMacsMac

You will need to use a FireWire 800 cable for Target Disk Mode between two 2011 iMac’s.

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Answer 2

DaleMacsMac Author

Level 1

31 points

May 1, 2023 7:33 AM in response to den.thed

Just a follow-up: FireWire 800 cable worked like a charm for Target Disk Mode and I was able to retrieve all my old stuff. Thanks again.

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

250,241 points

Apr 20, 2023 5:57 PM in response to DaleMacsMac

The Apple Thunderbolt Cable lets you connect a Thunderbolt-equipped system to a Thunderbolt device. Connect a Thunderbolt-equipped Mac in target disk mode to another Mac for fast data access or system migration, or network two Thunderbolt-equipped computers.

Seems to be what you want.

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Answer 4

DaleMacsMac Author

Level 1

31 points

Apr 20, 2023 7:23 PM in response to den.thed

Ah! Well that would certainly save me a few bucks on a cable. Have you performed a TDM transfer before with 2011s? A tutorial I saw online said I'd need to use Thunderbolt, but they were not specific about which year iMac models they were talking about.

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Answer 5

den.thed

Level 10

89,974 points

Apr 20, 2023 7:32 PM in response to DaleMacsMac

Yeah’ the articles has been updated several times to reflect the latest generation of Mac’s and excludes any clear reference or direction for the older Mac’s.

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