MacBook as external hard drive: Activate Target Disk Mode

In order to use the hard drive of your MacBook as an external hard drive, Apple has provided the Target Disk Mode. If you activate this, you can also access your data without starting up your Mac - for example, if you want to copy files from one Mac to another. In this tip, we explain how to use Target Disk Mode.

Target Disk Mode: The MacBook as an external hard drive

1. To activate Target Disk Mode, shutdown the computer on which it is to be used.
2. Now connect the two computers with a FireWire cable.
3. Press the "T" key on the computer that is to be used as the hard disk and start the computer. You must hold down the "T" key until a large FireWire symbol appears on the display.
4. The hard drive is now displayed on the second MacBook like an external FireWire hard drive and can be used.

In the next practical tip, we will show you how to format your hard drives for MacOS. We also tested the Apple MacBook 12 inch for you.