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The right cable for Migration Assistant over Thunderbolt with Target Disk Mode

So yesterday it took me a while to figure out how to use Target Disk Mode over Thunderbolt to transfer data from an older MacBookPro to a new one. So I thought I would write it down for the next person figuring this out.


You will need a proper Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 3 cable. Apples doesn't sell one. Just having a cable that has USB-C plugs on both ends doesn't work.

If the old Mac has Thunderbolt 2 you will need a Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter, which Apple sells and a Thunderbolt 2 cable.


To boot in Target Disk Mode shut down your Mac. Then turn it on while holding the key t until you see a Thunderbolt icon on the screen.


Start Migration Assistant on the other Mac and connect both with the Thunderbolt cable.


Data should be completely copied over in a few hours at most.

MacBook Pro 16", macOS 10.15

Posted on Feb 18, 2020 5:06 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 18, 2020 5:48 AM

jbuiss wrote:


If the old Mac has Thunderbolt 2 you will need a Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter, which Apple sells and a Thunderbolt 2 cable.




Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple


Apple Thunderbolt Cable (2.0 m) - White - Apple



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The right cable for Migration Assistant over Thunderbolt with Target Disk Mode

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