Can’t Escape Target Disk Mode

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Can’t Escape Target Disk Mode

I was updating my computer to macOS Big Sur, but at the end of the update, it said that I didn’t have enough storage. I had a pop up where the only option was to click on the target disk mode, but I don’t want to do it and now I can’t escape. I read that I shouldn’t force shut down during a software update, so what should I do? Also, I’ve tried force shutting down before and it doesn’t work since I don’t have a power button and using control + command + the Touch ID doesn’t work. Help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Posted on Nov 29, 2020 3:41 PM

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Answer 1

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barberlives123

Community Specialist

Dec 7, 2020 7:00 AM in response to JustinianM

Hey there JustinianM,

We'd like to help get you back to enjoying your Mac, along with being up to date with macOS Big Sur. Let's start with the issue currently happening by confirming a few things:

You mentioned not having a power button, but the power button on newer Mac models is the same as the Touch ID button. Please test holding down the Touch ID button to force restart your Mac.
If the same issue occurs afterwards, you'll need to try reinstalling the macOS, but you may also need to erase your hard drive and reinstall the macOS that way. Here are the steps to reinstall the macOS(along with how to erase the drive), just in case: How to reinstall macOS
As it's always recommended to make a backup in Time Machine prior to any major macOS upgrades, we also wanted to provide the steps to restore from that backup just in case you need to erase the hard drive: Restore your Mac from a backup
If you're still unable to get the macOS reinstalled after the steps above, we recommend reaching out to Apple Support next: Get Support

Have a good one.

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Can’t Escape Target Disk Mode

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