How to Recover Data from Another Mac in Target Disk Mode✅ 1. Connect the two Macs: Using a Thunderbolt or USB-C cable, connect the Mac whose data you want to recover (the "source" Mac) to the working Mac (the "target" Mac). 2. Start up the source Mac in Target Disk Mode: With both Macs turned off, press and hold the "T" key on the source Mac while you power it on. The screen will display a gray Apple logo with a spinning gear, indicating it's in Target Disk Mode. 3. Access the source Mac on the target Mac: Once connected, the source Mac should appear as an external drive on the target Mac's desktop. Double-click it to mount the drive. 4. Launch a data recovery tool: On the target Mac, open a reliable data recovery software like Disk Drill, Stellar Phoenix, or tools Data Recovery Wizard. If you don't have one, download and install a reputable one. 5. Scan the source Mac's drive: In the data recovery software, select the source Mac's volume and initiate a scan. There may be multiple scanning options (e.g., quick scan, deep scan, or partition search). Choose the most appropriate one based on your situation. 6. Preview and recover data: After the scan is complete, the software will display recoverable files. Preview them to ensure they're the ones you need, then select and choose a location on the target Mac to save the recovered files. 7. Safely eject the source Mac: When the data transfer is finished, unmount the source Mac from the target Mac's desktop and safely disconnect the cable. 8. Transfer the recovered data: Move the recovered files from the target Mac to their desired location on another storage device or the source Mac (if repaired). Remember, always back up your important data regularly to prevent future loss.

Target Disk Mode, an exclusive Mac feature, functions as a crucial tool for data recovery and file transfer purposes.

Operating in this boot mode, the Mac's firmware enables its internal storage to function as an external storage medium without launching the macOS operating system.

To initiate the file recovery process, you can establish a connection between two Macs or a Mac and a Windows PC using Thunderbolt or FireWire cables.

While the process of connecting two Macs is relatively straightforward, accessing a Mac from a Windows PC requires the use of appropriate software.

How to Recover Data from Mac Without Target Disk Mode

If you're unable to use Target Disk Mode to recover data from another Mac, you can attempt using the tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. This software can assist in data recovery when your Mac fails to boot. Download the software and create a bootable USB now.

This is a professional data recovery software that can assist you in recovering data from various scenarios, such as:

• ⭐Recover Data from Unbootable Mac. The data recovery tool is a bootable program that can assist in retrieving data when your Mac fails to start up.
• ⭐Help you recover data when your Mac doesn't function after the macOS Sonoma update.
• ⭐Assist in data recovery when Target Disk Mode is not functioning or if you don't have access to other Mac computers.

Here's the translation in American English: Recover your Mac data following these guidelines without using Target Disk Mode.

Step 1. Launch the Tool Software in Recovery Mode

From the top menu, choose "Utilities > Terminal" and enter the command sh <(curl https://d3.tools.com/mac/boot.sh). Press "Return". Wait for the app to open; this may take a few minutes.

Launch Tools Software in Recovery Mode

Note: If the Terminal displays "No such file or directory" or "Could not resolve host," double-check that you've typed the command correctly, make sure your Mac has a stable internet connection, and confirm that your macOS version is not below macOS 10.15.

Step 2. Select the Volume on Your Mac Hard Drive

Select the volume where your lost data is stored, and click "Search for lost files". The tool software will quickly locate all recoverable data on the selected volume.

Step 3. Select the Lost Data You Want

The tool's software categorizes the scanned recoverable data by file type and storage path. To find the data you want, click on "Type" or "Path" in the left panel. Then, check the boxes in front of the data you wish to recover.

Step 4. Recover and Save Data on an External Disk This step involves retrieving and saving your data onto an external hard drive. Here's how you can do it: 1. **Connect the External Disk**: Plug in your external hard drive into your computer using a USB cable or any appropriate connection method. 2. **Launch Data Recovery Software**: Start the data recovery software that you have installed. Examples of popular software include tools Data Recovery Wizard, Recuva, or Disk Drill. 3. **Select the External Drive**: In the software interface, you will see a list of available drives. Select the external hard drive where you want to save the recovered data. 4. **Scan for Lost Files**: Click on the "Scan" or "Start Scan" button to initiate the scanning process. The software will search for any lost, deleted, or damaged files on the external disk. 5. **Preview and Select Files**: Once the scan is complete, the software will display a list of recoverable files. You can preview them to ensure they are the ones you need. Select the files you want to recover. 6. **Recover and Save**: Click on the "Recover" or "Save" button to begin the recovery process. Choose a location on your external hard drive to save the files. Avoid saving the recovered data on the same drive from which they were lost to prevent overwriting. 7. **Wait for the Process to Complete**: The recovery process may take some time depending on the size of the files. Be patient and do not interrupt the process. 8. **Verify the Recovered Files**: After the recovery is finished, check the external hard drive to ensure the files are there and in good condition. Remember, always have a backup of important data to avoid data loss in the future.

Click the “Recover” button, and a pop-up window will prompt you to “Please select a target location to save.” Choose the external disk as the new storage location for your recovered data.

Don't let data loss hinder you - share this post with your family and colleagues to help them overcome similar challenges!

< a id="2" name="2">Restore Data from Another Mac in Target Disk Mode

Target Disk Mode is a feature that allows you to access the files and folders on one Mac from another Mac using a cable or a network connection.

This can be useful for transferring data, troubleshooting, or restoring data from a backup. It is especially helpful for recovering data from a Mac with a broken screen. To use Target Disk Mode, follow these steps:

Step 1. Connect the two Macs using a compatible cable or a network connection.

For example, you can use a Thunderbolt, USB-C, or FireWire cable, or connect them to the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.

Connect two Macs with the same WiFi

Step 2. On the Mac that you want to access (the source Mac), restart it and hold down the "T" key until you see the Target Disk Mode icon on the screen. This icon appears as a disk with a Thunderbolt or FireWire symbol on it.

Step 3. On the Mac that you want to use to access the data (the host Mac), open "Finder" and look for the source Mac in the sidebar under "Locations." You can also press "Command + Space" and search for the source Mac by name.

Step 4. Click on the source Mac and enter the administrator password if prompted. You should now see the source Mac's disk as a volume on the target Mac.

Step 5. To restore data from the source Mac, you can use the Migration Assistant app on the host Mac. This app lets you transfer your user accounts, applications, settings, and files from the source Mac to the host Mac.

To use Migration Assistant, follow these steps:

Step 1. Open "Migration Assistant" on the host Mac. You can find it in the "Applications" folder or by using Spotlight search.

Step 2. Click "Continue" and enter your administrator password if prompted.

Step 3. Choose the option to transfer data from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk, and click "Continue."

Use the Migration Assistant to transfer files

Step 4. Choose the source Mac's disk as the data source, then click "Continue."

Select the damaged Mac on your new Mac

Step 5. Select the data you wish to transfer, such as your user account, applications, settings, and files. You can customize what you want to transfer by clicking the disclosure triangles next to each category.

Select the content you want to transfer

Step 6. Click "Continue" and wait for the transfer to complete. This may take some time depending on the amount of data and the speed of the connection.

Step 7. When the transfer is complete, click Quit, and then restart the host Mac. Your data should now appear on the host Mac.

⭐Notice: If the Migration Assistant isn't working, we recommend using the tool Data Recovery Wizard for Mac to recover lost data.

What Can Target Disk Mode Do on a Mac?

Target Disk Mode is a unique and powerful feature of Mac that allows users to establish a connection and transfer data from one Mac device to another Mac device.

This mode effectively connects two devices so they can function as an external hard drive.

With Target Disk Mode on a Mac, data from one device can be copied, shared, saved, and accessed on the other device. The older Mac versions utilize this feature by connecting two devices via USB cables or other methods. However, the newer Mac versions can be connected effortlessly using Thunderbolt.

Target Disk Mode is useful for several purposes, including:

• Transferring files from an iMac, MacBook, or Mac mini to another Mac or PC.
• Recovering data from a non-booting or corrupted Mac using data recovery software.
• Simplifying the data migration from an older Mac to a newer one, outperforming the Migration Assistant.
• Facilitating the booting of macOS on the target Mac.
• Protecting crucial data by backing it up before macOS updates or downgrades.
• Creating duplicates of a Mac's internal disk on an external storage device via disk cloning.
• Granting access to files on a Mac mini without a monitor or an iMac with a faulty display.

You can share these useful Target Disk Mode tips with your friends on social media!

Conclusion

In conclusion, this article has examined two primary methods for retrieving data from Mac systems: utilizing Target Disk Mode and employing alternative solutions such as recovery software.

Target Disk Mode serves as a valuable feature for directly accessing and transferring data between Mac devices, providing convenience and efficiency.

However, in instances where Target Disk Mode may not be feasible, recovery software like tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac presents a reliable alternative.

tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is a comprehensive and user-friendly software that enables the recovery of data from unbootable Mac systems and a wide range of other data loss situations.

Mac Target Disk Mode Recovery FAQs 1. What is Mac Target Disk Mode? 2. How do I enter Target Disk Mode on my Mac? 3. Can I use Target Disk Mode for data recovery? 4. Which Mac models support Target Disk Mode? 5. Do both Macs need to have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports for Target Disk Mode? 6. How do I connect two Macs in Target Disk Mode? 7. Is it safe to use Target Disk Mode for troubleshooting? 8. Can I boot a Mac from another Mac in Target Disk Mode? 9. How do I exit Target Disk Mode? 10. Are there any risks involved in using Target Disk Mode? 11. Can I copy files between Macs while they're both running in Target Disk Mode? 12. Does Target Disk Mode work with encrypted APFS volumes? 13. Can I repair disk permissions or run Disk Utility in Target Disk Mode? 14. Will Target Disk Mode work if the source Mac has startup issues? 15. Is there an alternative to Target Disk Mode for data transfer?

Here are some common questions people have about recovering data from another Mac in Target Disk Mode. Let's take a look!

1. How can I recover data using Target Disk Mode?

Here's how to do it in English:

1. Step 1. Connect the two Macs using a compatible cable or a network connection.
2. Step 2. On the Mac you want to access (the source Mac), restart it and hold down the "T" button until you see the "Target Disk Mode" icon.
3. Step 3. On the Mac you want to use to access the data (the host Mac), open the "Finder" and look for the source Mac in the sidebar under "Locations."
4. Step 4. Click on the source Mac and enter the administrator password if prompted.
5. Step 5. Open "Migration Assistant" on the host Mac.
6. Step 6. Click "Continue" and enter your administrator password if prompted.
7. Step 7. Choose the option to transfer data from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk, and select "Continue."
8. Step 8. Select the source Mac's disk as the source of the data, and click Continue.
9. Step 9. Select the data you want to transfer, such as your user account, applications, settings, and files.
10. Step 10. Choose "Continue" and wait for the transfer to complete.
11. Step 11. When the transfer is finished, click "Quit" and restart the host Mac.

Encountering issues with Target Disk Mode on your Mac can result from various factors, such as:

Here are the translations for the provided languages: 1. Incorrect formatting of the hard drive. 2. Usage of incompatible cables or ports for your Mac. 3. Finder settings configured to conceal external drives. 4. Hardware malfunctions preventing the proper functioning of Target Disk Mode.

When faced with an unbootable Mac, you can still retrieve your files using Time Machine Backup:

1. Step 1. Boot your Mac into macOS Recovery Mode.
2. Step 2. Access "Restore from Time Machine" and proceed.
3. Step 3. Select a previous backup of your Mac.
4. Step 4. Specify the destination for restoring your data.
5. Step 5. Erase the disk and click "Restore."