When one Mac fails to mount another Mac’s drive as an external volume using the intended functionality, troubleshooting becomes necessary. This can manifest as the host Mac not recognizing the target Mac, the target Mac not appearing as a drive, or errors occurring during the mounting process. For example, a user might attempt to connect two Macs with a Thunderbolt cable, start the target machine in the appropriate mode, yet the drive fails to show up on the host computer’s desktop.
This capability offers a direct and efficient method for transferring large files, migrating data to a new machine, or troubleshooting a problematic Mac. Historically, this method has served as a valuable tool for technicians and users alike, providing access to a Mac’s internal storage even when the operating system is malfunctioning. Its speed and reliability make it a preferred alternative to network transfers or external drive cloning, particularly for substantial data volumes. The ability to access files directly can be crucial for data recovery or system restoration.
