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How can you use target disk drive on newer macs that do not have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports? I tried USB C but get the warning to use thunderbolt.
You need to be very specific about what ports each device (drive and computer) has and then we can tell you what adapters to get to connect them. If you have external HD's that are over 5 years old, please consider replacing them soon as HD's get old and die, especially when you least expect them to.
It’s a iMac I got new in 2017. It only has USB and USB C ports in the back. I’m trying to connect it to another Mac to try and recover data as attempting to update to Big Sur caused some sort of glitch where it will not install fully. The only thing I can do is boot it in recover/safe mode but every time I try to reinstall it stops at the exact same spot in the install and because it’s Big Sur I can’t install the OS that came with the Mac because Big Sur was downloaded. So just attempting to recover any data if I can before I wipe it. Yes I’m learning the hard way to back up certain data I don’t keep on my external HDD’s.
That's false. The USB-C ports are also Thunderbolt 3. - Did not know that
Im trying to see if it will work on the MacBook Pro I have which I believe is a 2020 model. Has the same ports, 2 on each side. I attempted it earlier with these ports but didn’t mount the main HD but a secondary mount. When I tried to un-mount it it says it was 1 of 2 mounted but the other wasn’t visible. I only tried using the ports on the right side of the MacBook unless some ports have different purposes.
It only has USB and USB C ports in the back
That's false. The USB-C ports are also Thunderbolt 3.
I’m trying to connect it to another Mac
What year and model is the other Mac?
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities.
All modern Mac models have Thunderbolt ports of some generation. What year is both your Mac and what are you trying to do?
Jack
So I’m starting to see part of my problem, I don’t have a Thunderbolt 3 cable. That helped knowing that was also a Thunderbolt 3 port. Thanks for that info. Going to get a cable and try again
Target Disk Drive
