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how do i connect my mac mini as an external harddisk to an other mac mini, in order to copy large documents

how to connect my Mac mini as an external harddisk? I used to do this with a firewire cable, starting my Mac in the target mode

Posted on Feb 9, 2021 11:26 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 9, 2021 1:21 PM

You did not give any information on which Mac mini you own but Firewire is dead and gone. Target disk mode is no longer used in the new M1 Macs, however you can still achieve a somewhat similar outcome:


  1. Connect both Macs via a USB-C cable or a Thunderbolt 3/4 cable (not the one that was supplied with your MacBook).
  2. With the USB-C cable or a Thunderbolt 3/4 cable in place, restart the M1 Mac by pressing and holding down the power button. This will load the startup options.
  3. Select Options > Utilities, then choose Share volume.
  4. Once you enter in your password, the older drive should appear on the new M1 Mac.


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 9, 2021 1:21 PM in response to RubenAlexanderHolland

You did not give any information on which Mac mini you own but Firewire is dead and gone. Target disk mode is no longer used in the new M1 Macs, however you can still achieve a somewhat similar outcome:


  1. Connect both Macs via a USB-C cable or a Thunderbolt 3/4 cable (not the one that was supplied with your MacBook).
  2. With the USB-C cable or a Thunderbolt 3/4 cable in place, restart the M1 Mac by pressing and holding down the power button. This will load the startup options.
  3. Select Options > Utilities, then choose Share volume.
  4. Once you enter in your password, the older drive should appear on the new M1 Mac.


how do i connect my mac mini as an external harddisk to an other mac mini, in order to copy large documents

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