Transferring files between two MacBooks is often a simple matter of either using a flash drive, sharing files on iCloud, or using a common storage solution like an external drive connected to a local wireless network.
When the need arises to transfer particularly huge files, any method involving wireless transfers can never be as reliable as moving data over a wire.
This is where the new MacBook Pro’s USB Type-C AKA Thunderbolt 3 ports come to the rescue, and turn any connected MacBook into a giant thumb drive.
The first step to creating a LAN between two MacBook Pros over a wire starts by connecting the physical cable between the two computers.
macOS Sierra will be able to detect the new connection and provide appropriate options when opening System Preferences > Network, on either Macs, and look for a Thunderbolt Bridge connection available.
If both Macs “see each other”, meaning they both see a new Thunderbolt Bridge in system Preferences, half the job is done.
Turning on Enable File Sharing from within the Network section in System Preferences will enable the two Macs to share files, however, for it to actually work, we must note down the IP address of the other MacBook Pro, which can be found easily in the Network page, then open a new Finder window, click “Go”, and “Connect to Server”. Enter the IP address of the other machine in the Server Address Book and click Connect.
Finally, select the volumes you wish to mount, and click OK to confirm.
You are now able to transfer files at speeds exceeding 10GbE, via Thunderbolt 3.
As a side note, since the other Mac is mounted as an external volume, it’s important to eject the volume before disconnecting the wire, although minimal damage will likely occur in the event that the cable is pulled while the two systems still communicate.
Apple has decided for an all-out replacement of all legacy ports on the new MacBook Pro, just as it did with the original 12 inch MacBook Retina, with an array of USB Type-C ports, capable, among other things, to charge the laptop from any one of the four ports available on the 15 inch model, or two ports available on the 13 inch model.
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