How to Transfer Files Between an M1 Mac and Another Mac

You can connect a Mac with Apple silicon to another Mac so it appears like an external drive, then transfer files directly.

What you need

• A USB, USB-C, or Thunderbolt cable
• Two Mac computers (one with Apple silicon)

Steps to transfer files

1. Connect the two Macs with a USB, USB-C, or Thunderbolt cable.
2. On the Apple silicon Mac, go to Apple menu > Shut Down.
3. Press and hold the power button until Loading startup options appears.
4. Click Options, then click Continue.
5. If prompted, enter an administrator password to open Recovery mode.
6. In the menu bar, choose Utilities > Share Disk.
7. Select the disk or volume you want to share, then click Start Sharing.
8. On the other Mac, open Finder and click Network under Locations.
9. In the Network window, double-click the Mac that is sharing its disk.
10. Click Connect As, choose Guest, then click Connect.
11. Transfer your files.
12. When finished, eject the shared disk on the other Mac.

If the connection does not appear immediately, disconnect and reconnect the cable, then reopen the Network view in Finder.