Accessing Macbook Pro with a broken screen, to back-up data before repair

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Accessing Macbook Pro with a broken screen, to back-up data before repair

Our Macbook Pro (2019) has a broken screen, and even if log-in comes up, we can't see it respond to the keyboard. We need to back it up before sending it to repair...

We have a second Macbook Pro, similar set-up, but obviously that won't have enough memory to do a full back-up. Can we just use it as a second display, to log into iCloud/TimeMachine to do a back-up of the broken Mac? [If so, how? Does the 2nd Mac need to be logged out? Or logged into the same AppleID as the broken one? Started up in a different way?]

We also have an iPad, but not sure if we need to have an app already installed & running on the Mac for that to work... If the answer is "no" to either/both of those questions, does anyone have a recommendation for an alternative for a 2nd display?

Thank you!

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Jan 12, 2025 9:19 AM

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Answer 1

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varjak paw

Level 10

182,692 points

Jan 12, 2025 9:22 AM in response to BeijaFlorCA

The easiest option to my mind would be to try and get the screen-damaged Mac into Target Disk Mode:

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode - Apple Support

Then you can connect it to your second Mac and it will mount as an external drive and you can copy off the files you wish to keep.

Regards.

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Answer 2

Jan 12, 2025 9:32 AM in response to BeijaFlorCA

<< Can we just use [a second Mac] as a second display ?, >>

Alas, NO.

Connect a cable to your TV set or an external display. Display data rates are FAR too fast to connect through another Mac, UNLESS you have already enabled Screen Sharing or AirPlay to the external device.

if you DID enable Screen Sharing or AirPlay, then a low-speed replica of your screen appears in a Window on the other device. This is great for changing settings (but useless for full-motion video).

EDIT: varjak paw's excellent suggestion was not present when I started composing, and I type slowly.

My suggestion is NOT a commentary, just a different alternative.

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Accessing Macbook Pro with a broken screen, to back-up data before repair

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