Intel’s new Thunderbolt sharing app is already on your Mac for free

Intel on Wednesday announced a new Thunderbolt feature called Thunderbolt Share, which allows users to connect one PC directly to another to share files or to do screen sharing to control one computer from another. Intel says the new tech is an example of how it “lead(s) the industry in connectivity solutions with Thunderbolt technology.” But Mac users might be have something to say about that.

Thunderbolt Share is designed to work with Thunderbolt 4 or 5 connections, and users can connect two PCs directly or through a Thunderbolt dock or display. Users can drag and drop files between computers, and since it’s a direct connection, Thunderbolt Share is secure and private. According to PCWorld, Thunderbolt Share will be deployed as a software app licensed to PC manufacturers. The software needs to run on both computers for the feature to work.

If the features of Thunderbolt Share sound familiar, it’s because macOS already supports them. With File Sharing and Screen Sharing turned on in macOS Sonoma’s System Settings (General > Sharing) you can connect two M-series Macs via Thunderbolt, adjust the Network system setting to Thunderbolt Bridge, and use one Mac to control the other. I could do this easily between an M3 Pro MacBook Pro and an M3 MacBook Air. Apple also has target disk mode for older Intel Macs where the secondary Mac appears as a storage device on the primary Mac.

Intel’s Jason Ziller told The Verge that, “We’re exploring other OS opportunities but at this point in time it would not work connected to a Mac.” There’s no incentive for Intel to make a Mac app and Apple doesn’t have a reason to license it. It already works.