Have you ever encountered a situation where your MacBook Pro’s internal storage is insufficient, and you need to expand its capacity without purchasing a new external hard drive? Here’s an innovative solution: transforming your 2017 MacBook Pro into an external drive! This technique allows you to harness the storage capacity of your MacBook Pro and share files with other devices seamlessly. Read on to discover how to unlock this versatile functionality and utilize your MacBook Pro’s capabilities to the fullest.
To embark on this transformation, you’ll need a Thunderbolt 3 cable—a high-speed data transfer interface—and a compatible external enclosure or dock. Once you have the necessary components, connect your MacBook Pro to the enclosure or dock using the Thunderbolt 3 cable. The enclosure or dock will provide the necessary power and data connection to your MacBook Pro, allowing it to function as an external drive.
With your MacBook Pro configured as an external drive, you can access its files conveniently from another computer or device. Simply connect the enclosure or dock to the other device via the Thunderbolt 3 cable, and you’ll be able to browse, edit, and transfer files stored on your MacBook Pro’s internal storage. This setup is particularly useful for tasks like backing up data, collaborating on projects, or sharing large media files. Additionally, you can boot your MacBook Pro from an external drive, enabling you to run macOS and access your applications and data on another computer without modifying its internal storage.
Connecting a 2017 MacBook Pro to Another Mac
To connect your 2017 MacBook Pro to another Mac as an external drive, you’ll need a Thunderbolt 3 cable. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Connect one end of the cable to the Thunderbolt 3 port on your 2017 MacBook Pro.
- Connect the other end of the cable to a Thunderbolt 3 port on the other Mac.
- Your 2017 MacBook Pro will appear on the desktop of the other Mac as an external drive.
Additional Details for Step 1
The 2017 MacBook Pro has two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the left side of the device. They are the same shape and size as the USB-C ports, but they have a lightning bolt symbol next to them. Make sure that you are connecting the cable to a Thunderbolt 3 port, and not a USB-C port.
If you are using a USB-C cable, it will not work to connect your 2017 MacBook Pro to another Mac as an external drive. Thunderbolt 3 cables are specifically designed to support the high data transfer speeds required for external drives.
Once you have connected the two Macs with a Thunderbolt 3 cable, you should see a notification on the screen of your 2017 MacBook Pro asking if you want to allow the other Mac to access your data.
Click on the “Allow” button to grant access. Your 2017 MacBook Pro will then appear on the desktop of the other Mac as an external drive.
Here is a table summarizing the steps for connecting a 2017 MacBook Pro to another Mac as an external drive:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Connect one end of a Thunderbolt 3 cable to the Thunderbolt 3 port on your 2017 MacBook Pro. |
| 2 | Connect the other end of the cable to a Thunderbolt 3 port on the other Mac. |
| 3 | Your 2017 MacBook Pro will appear on the desktop of the other Mac as an external drive. |
Using an External Enclosure or Dock
Option 1: External Enclosure
An external enclosure allows you to house your MacBook Pro’s internal storage drive (SSD or HDD) outside the computer. By installing your drive into an enclosure, you can connect it to another computer or device via a Thunderbolt 3 or USB cable. Ensure that the enclosure is compatible with NVMe SSDs if your MacBook Pro has one. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Power off and unplug your MacBook Pro.
- Use a Torx T5 screwdriver to remove the screws securing the bottom case.
- Carefully detach the bottom case and locate the SSD or HDD.
- Disconnect the drive from its connector and insert it into the external enclosure.
- Reassemble the bottom case and secure it.
- Connect the external enclosure to your computer or device using a cable.
- Your MacBook Pro’s drive should now be accessible as an external storage device.
Option 2: Docking Station
A docking station provides a comprehensive solution for connecting your MacBook Pro to multiple peripherals and external devices. Most docking stations include an integrated hard drive bay that allows you to mount your MacBook Pro’s drive internally. This offers a convenient and high-performance option for external storage.
- Power off and unplug your MacBook Pro.
- Place the docking station on a stable surface and connect it to power.
- Open the hard drive bay on the docking station.
- Disconnect the drive from its connector in your MacBook Pro and insert it into the hard drive bay.
- Secure the drive in the bay and close it.
- Connect the docking station to your MacBook Pro using a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C cable.
- Your MacBook Pro’s drive should now be accessible through the docking station.
Utilizing Target Disk Mode
Connect Your Devices
To establish a connection between your 2017 MacBook Pro and the target computer, you’ll need a Thunderbolt cable. This cable serves as the data transfer channel between the two devices. Verify that the cable is securely plugged into both your MacBook Pro and the target computer.
Booting into Target Disk Mode
Power down your MacBook Pro before activating Target Disk Mode. Hold down the “T” key as you press the power button. Continue holding the “T” key until the Apple logo accompanied by a progress bar appears on the screen.
Detailed Steps for Booting into Target Disk Mode:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Turn off your MacBook Pro. |
| 2 | Connect the Thunderbolt cable to both devices. |
| 3 | Press and hold the “T” key while powering on your MacBook Pro. |
| 4 | Continue holding “T” until the Apple logo and progress bar appear. |
Mounting the External Drive
On the target computer, navigate to Finder, and click on the “MacBook Pro” icon under the “Shared” section of the sidebar. The MacBook Pro’s internal storage should now be visible as an external drive. You can access and manipulate files on this drive as you would with any other external storage device.
Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues
If you encounter issues connecting your 2017 MacBook Pro as an external drive, try the following troubleshooting steps:
1. Check physical connections
Ensure that the Thunderbolt 3 cable is securely connected to both the MacBook Pro and the host computer. Inspect the cable for any damage or loose connections.
2. Update Thunderbolt software
Download and install the latest Thunderbolt software updates from Apple’s website. Outdated software can cause connectivity problems.
3. Reset NVRAM and SMC
Resetting the NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) and SMC (system management controller) can resolve connectivity issues. Refer to Apple’s support documentation for instructions on resetting these.
4. Disable SIP (System Integrity Protection)
In some cases, System Integrity Protection may interfere with Thunderbolt connectivity. Temporarily disable SIP by entering Recovery Mode and running the command `csrutil disable`. However, re-enable SIP after troubleshooting to ensure system security.
5. Inspect Thunderbolt ports
If the previous steps fail to resolve the issue, the Thunderbolt ports on either the MacBook Pro or the host computer may be faulty. Inspect the ports for any damage or debris that could obstruct the connection. If necessary, try connecting through a different Thunderbolt port or using a different Thunderbolt 3 cable.
| Symptom | Possible Causes |
|---|---|
| Drive not recognized | Loose or damaged Thunderbolt 3 cable, outdated Thunderbolt software, faulty Thunderbolt ports |
| Intermittent connection | Physical damage to cables or ports, power fluctuations, software conflicts |
| Slow transfer speeds | Data corruption, background processes consuming bandwidth, slow host computer or external storage device |
Security Considerations
When mounting your 2017 MacBook Pro as an external drive, it’s crucial to implement robust security measures to protect your sensitive data. Here are some essential considerations:
1. Encryption
Encrypt the external drive using a strong password or encryption key to prevent unauthorized access to your files.
2. Access Control
Configure access permissions to limit who can connect to and use the external drive.
3. Physical Security
Keep your MacBook Pro and external drive in a secure location to prevent loss or theft.
4. Antivirus Software
Install antivirus software on the MacBook Pro to scan the external drive for potential threats.
5. Firewall
Enable a firewall on the MacBook Pro to block unauthorized network access to the external drive.
6. Two-Factor Authentication
Use two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized logins to the MacBook Pro.
7. Firmware Updates
Regularly update the firmware on the MacBook Pro and external drive to address security vulnerabilities.
8. Avoid Public Networks
Refrain from connecting the external drive to public Wi-Fi networks to minimize the risk of interception.
9. Control Access to System Files
Prevent unauthorized changes to system files by configuring permissions that restrict access to essential files. This measure helps maintain the integrity and security of the MacBook Pro’s operating system and prevents malicious software from gaining root access.
Additional Considerations:
In addition to the aforementioned security measures, consider the following:
| Mitigation | Description |
|---|---|
| Disable Remote Login | Prevent remote access to the MacBook Pro to limit potential attacks. |
| Use a VPN | Establish a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection to encrypt data transmitted over public networks. |
| Monitor Network Activity | Regularly review network logs for any suspicious activity related to the external drive. |
| Enable FileVault | Enable FileVault full-disk encryption to protect data even if the MacBook Pro is stolen or lost. |
How to Mount 2017 MacBook Pro as External Drive
Step 1: Connect the MacBook Pros
To start, connect your 2017 MacBook Pro to the host computer using a Thunderbolt 3 cable. Make sure the host computer is turned on and running a version of macOS that supports Target Disk Mode.
Step 2: Boot the 2017 MacBook Pro into Target Disk Mode
Once connected, press and hold the “T” key on the 2017 MacBook Pro while powering it on. Continue holding the key until the Thunderbolt icon appears on the screen, indicating that the device is now in Target Disk Mode.
Step 3: Mount the External Drive
On the host computer, the external drive should now be visible on the desktop or in the Finder. Click on the drive to mount it.
