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Cable needed
- Thread starter Keltrem
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Target Display Mode would require Apple's bidirectional TB2/TB3 adapter and a TB1 or 2 cable.
Bidirectional Adapter:
Apple TB Cable:
Target Disk Mode could also work with the above cable and adapter, or a USB-C to USB-A cable.
You cannot use a charging cable, it has to be for data. Apple doesn't make one, but suggests this one:
Bidirectional Adapter:
Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
Effortlessly connect your Mac to a Thunderbolt 2 device with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 Adapter. Buy now at apple.com
www.apple.com
Apple TB Cable:
Apple Thunderbolt Cable (2.0 m) - White
Apple Thunderbolt Cable lets you conduct fast data transfers by connecting Thunderbolt-enabled devices to your Mac. Get fast, free shipping.
www.apple.com
Target Disk Mode could also work with the above cable and adapter, or a USB-C to USB-A cable.
You cannot use a charging cable, it has to be for data. Apple doesn't make one, but suggests this one:
Just incase people with other iMac models found this thread, it will not work with the Mid 2011 iMac. Using a Mini Display Port adapter for Target Display Mode might work with the Late 2009 to Mid 2010 iMacs.
According to Apple, yes. I have never done it, and have only used Firewire and TB for Target Disk Mode.
I would suggest using Apple's recommendation of USB-C to USB-A cable, as other have reported cheap cables from Amazon don't work.
Again, I strongly suggest going with Apple's recommendation for this cable.
Another thought... While the bidirectional adapter and TB cable is more expensive, if you might ever consider using your iMac in Target Display Mode or if you think you might ever use any TB1 or 2 devices, I would suggest spending the extra money and getting the bidirectional adapter and TB cable, as the USB-C to USB-A cable will most likely have limited uses besides Target Disk Mode.
Good Luck!
Outcome was this. A thunderbolt cable was all that was needed even though my system was one of the last 32 bit mid 2011 imacs. Found this out after buying a usbc / a cable and thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter (hopefully seller will take the adapter back).
My system had a HDD failure. I had been doing regular backups of all files only to find that a) the email backup folder on a separate HD cannot be loaded onto another computer and b) this is the only folder that I cannot find on the failed HDD. Murphys law I guess.
Email software is Thunderbird, I have been backing it up from the imac and loading it on the laptop regularly when I travelled, cannot do that now with latest version from Mozilla, seems overly complex with profiles.
My system had a HDD failure. I had been doing regular backups of all files only to find that a) the email backup folder on a separate HD cannot be loaded onto another computer and b) this is the only folder that I cannot find on the failed HDD. Murphys law I guess.
Email software is Thunderbird, I have been backing it up from the imac and loading it on the laptop regularly when I travelled, cannot do that now with latest version from Mozilla, seems overly complex with profiles.
I am a little confused by multiple things in your last post, maybe you can clarify?
The 2019 MBA has TB3 and no TB 1 or 2 ports. You would need the bidirectional adapter as well as the TB cable for this method.
That would be combining two different methods and definitely wouldn't work.
Apple says the USB-C to USB-A cable should work, but I highly recommend using their suggestion, and not some random cable you find. Did you use this cable?:
Like I said earlier, the TB 2/3 bidirectional adapter and a TB would definitely work, but is more than twice the amount of the USB-C to USB-A.
Some other things are weird about your post:
Do you mean you were using 32 bit SW on your iMac that is not compatible with your newer Mac?
You will need more than just a TB cable.
The 2019 MBA has TB3 and no TB 1 or 2 ports. You would need the bidirectional adapter as well as the TB cable for this method.
Are you saying you tried the the bidirectional adapter with a USB-C to USB-A cable?
That would be combining two different methods and definitely wouldn't work.
Apple says the USB-C to USB-A cable should work, but I highly recommend using their suggestion, and not some random cable you find. Did you use this cable?:
Like I said earlier, the TB 2/3 bidirectional adapter and a TB would definitely work, but is more than twice the amount of the USB-C to USB-A.
Some other things are weird about your post:
The Mid 2011 iMacs are 64 bit and the iMac line had been 64 bit for years before the Mid 2011. I am not sure why that even matters though.
Do you mean you were using 32 bit SW on your iMac that is not compatible with your newer Mac?
All I used to connect the 2019 Macbook Air and a mid 2011 imac was an Apple Thunderbolt cable. No other adapters.
The usbc to usba cable did not work although it wasa third party product.
I could only run 32 bit software apps on my imac so I presumed it was a 32 bit system. Osx was always updated to the last version available High Sierra. Maybe I just lack understanding in this area.
The usbc to usba cable did not work although it wasa third party product.
I could only run 32 bit software apps on my imac so I presumed it was a 32 bit system. Osx was always updated to the last version available High Sierra. Maybe I just lack understanding in this area.
Are you sure about the years of your Macs?
The 2019 MBA has Thunderbolt 3 ports and the Mid 2011 iMac has Thunderbolt 1 ports.
They are different ports, a Thunderbolt cable will not connect the two.
Apple was the first computer company to sell a 64 bit computer, IIRC. It was the PowerMac G5 in 2003.
Well, what about the MBA? There is no way a Thunderbolt cable would connect to a 2019 MBA without the bidirectional adapter.
Macs can definitely run 64 bit SW and have been able to for almost 2 decades. I wonder if the SW you use is only available in 32 bit?