You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: Ben Waddington
Ben Waddington Author
User level: Level 1
58 points

Thunderbird 1 - USB 1 cables riddle

I'm tying myself in knots trying to work out which apple / compatible cable to buy. I'm trying to connect a 2016 imac with a Macbook bought around the same time to attempt a Target Disk mode transfer. iMac has the original Thunderbolt port and Macbook has just a USB c port. I have a few adapters including USB c to USB. What to use / buy to make this possible? Can't seem to search for the exact cable I need as other versions of USB and thunderbolt appear in the search... please help!

iMac 27″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Oct 25, 2021 11:03 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Phil0124
Phil0124
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
206,195 points

Posted on Oct 25, 2021 1:31 PM

The first thing I'd suggest is to identify both computers exactly so we know exactly what we are dealing with.


Start here: Identify your iMac model - Apple Support

and

here: Identify your MacBook model - Apple Support


With that said, you can likely use a Thunderbolt 2 to USB-C adapter: Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple

View in context

Similar questions

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Phil0124
Phil0124
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
206,195 points

Oct 25, 2021 1:31 PM in response to Ben Waddington

The first thing I'd suggest is to identify both computers exactly so we know exactly what we are dealing with.


Start here: Identify your iMac model - Apple Support

and

here: Identify your MacBook model - Apple Support


With that said, you can likely use a Thunderbolt 2 to USB-C adapter: Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple

Reply
User profile for user: rkaufmann87
rkaufmann87
User level: Level 10
144,150 points

Oct 25, 2021 12:08 PM in response to Ben Waddington

As there is no such thing as a 2016 iMac please know that any model year iMac from 2015 on will not work in TDM. Please refer to Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support and you will see Apple is clear about that. If you need an external display please buy one and please remember Macs are computers, they are NOT displays for other devices.


Also, for future reference please read Writing an effective Apple Support Commun… - Apple Community


Reply

Thunderbird 1 - USB 1 cables riddle

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up