Level 1

8 points

Can't connect Mac mini to MacBook Pro via USB

Hello All,

I have a M1 MacMini running OS 13.7.4, and a M1 MacBook Pro(MBP) running OS 12.6.3. I connect the

two together via USB. They recognize each other immediately and I can transfer files between the two with no difficulties. However, if I disconnect the two devices, and put the MBP to sleep, and a few minutes later need to reconnect, the MacMini does not recognize the MBP, but the MBP does recognize the MacMini. If I wait a few hours the connection is normal again, or if I reboot the MBP, they connect normally again.

Any suggestions on fixing this inconvenience?

Thanks in advance.

CEU2

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Mac mini, macOS 11.6

Posted on May 7, 2025 06:13 AM

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4 replies

Level 10

148,032 points

May 8, 2025 12:18 PM in response to CEU2

You probably should consider using AirDrop, Use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices - Apple Support.

If you don't want to then restart both computers in Safe Mode per the instructions in the link then restart normally and test.

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Level 10

85,245 points

May 10, 2025 08:38 AM in response to CEU2

USB/Thunderbolt & Energy Saver/Sleep/powe… - Apple Community

Basically Energy Saver as you may have noted is an undesirable ingredient in the mess. Don't let them machine go to sleep. Use screen saver instead.

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Level 1

8 points

May 9, 2025 07:10 AM in response to CEU2

Hello rkaufmann87, thanks for the suggestion, I usually

transfer 5 or 10 files at a given sitting, so AirDrop is more cumbersome than

USB or WiFi.

Hello MartinR, thanks for the suggestion, but I have exactly

the same problem when using WiFi.

Cheers,

CEU2

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Level 7

23,475 points

May 8, 2025 03:37 PM in response to CEU2

I suggest using a network connection (WiFi or ethernet), not USB.

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Can't connect Mac mini to MacBook Pro via USB

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