Thank you for clearing that up as Apple Support says nothing about my iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010) not supporting Target Display Mode. Looks like I cannot use it as a display as I'd hoped. Very disappointing.
Apple sicken me...they could have kept TDM on every machine they produced ...but because they dont want you to use perfectly viable older equipment chose not to...they want to force you to buy their new crap...
WARNING! Hi, Your info was a great help to me. I have had my 2009 iMac as a second display for a new Mac Mini 2 running Ventura, so THANK YOU. Foolishly, I upgraded Ventura to Sonoma and now the iMac does not work as a display any more. Just thought you would like to know.
Could confirm using my $6000 M3 Max MacBook Pro 16in could be connected to my 27in 2010 maxed out iMac by just using a $15-$16 mini display to thunderbolt cable. It also has been running fine and the only problem is you could only control the resolution from the main machine if you were planning to use the keyboard and mouse/trackpad onto your MacBook. Otherwise, on your main machine, which for me is my MacBook Pro you can’t control the brightness or sound of iMac, but if you did have an extra keyboard or the original keyboard hooked up to the iMac or still pair to iMac, then you could control it using the keyboard function keys, or F hot keys.😊👍
hey ! thanks for your video awesome info , just before I buy I would like to validé with you if this going to work . I’m looking to buy a 2020 iMac 27’’ 5k Retina and would like to use my 2010 iMac 27’’ as an external display. This should works right ?
Hi @PittersComputers, thanks so much for putting this video together! I replaced my 2 iMacs with 2 Mac Mini M2's and am wanting to use the iMacs as screens for three reasons. Firstly, they are great displays, secondly, I want to save on e-waste and thirdly it makes financial sense. The 2 iMacs I have are: 2013 27" iMac 27" and the other is a 27" 2012 iMac. None of them have the thunderbolt display icon that looks like this -> |O| All the connector cables I can find on Amazon and the one's you mentioned say you have to use a port that has that display icon on it and that the normal thunderbolt port is not the same and have a clear red cross saying you can't use a normal thunderbolt 1/2 port on the iMac. Is this correct and will it actually work? Your help would be so appreciated! Thank you!
Unfortunately the M2 Mac Minis will not be able to connect to the 2013 and 2012 iMacs with Target Display Mode. Apple made it so only pre-2020 Macs running Catalina or earlier are able to connect to the 2011-mid 2014 iMacs and use Target Display Mode.
@@PittersComputers Thanks so much for your reply. Really appreciate it!!! Thank you for all your hard work and input on this as well. You've saved a truckload of e-waste by posting these videos!!! Thank you!
Thank you for your clarification. I tried using a Dell notebook with a Type-C/HDMI to mini DP port with an iMac 2009 21.5" several times, and it did not work. Your table allows me to give up and move on.
I'm trying to connect a Mac Pro Late 2013 running Montery to my 27in mid 2010 iMac running High Sierra, but I'm confused on which cable to use. I tried a Display Port to HDMI, but it doesn't seem to work. Can anyone clear that up for me?
Hi Pitter, thanks for the great info you provided. My scenario is this - I have a mid 2011 24" iMac. It is running WIndows 8.1. I also have a Laptop that I want to use as a source which has an available HDMI port on my laptop. Any suggestions for me which cable I should buy?
Thanks for taking the trouble to experiment. Like @msmith3537's experience, you have saved me from banging my head against a wall trying to get a Lenovo PC with Display Port and HDMI to work with a 27 inch iMac from 2011. However I can use my 2011 iMac with my 2013 iMac via Thunderbolt 1.
hello! Your video saved me here in Brazil! thanks! I have a 2010 iMac 27 and I want to connect it to a hakintosh, can I make the connection just using the adapter?
Hey Pitter, i have the new m2 mac mini and i also have a mid 2010 24 inch (i think) Imac that is running Mac OS high Sierra 10.13.6 will this work?? 🤞I am a student so am trying to save up some money wherever i can. Thanks
Hi there, I have 2017 21" iMac (Mojave) and would like to connect it with a mini M1 (16Gb/256Gb SSD) - which M1 model (years) would fit best to buy? Thank you in advance, cheers
Hello! I Have connected my Macbook and iMac, and I switched the wireless mouse to connect to my Macbook, but I cannot get the wireless keyboard to connect. Is this possible to do? I tried connecting it before I plugged in the thunderbolt cord but then the Command F-2 function doesn't work if the keyboard isn't connected to the iMac. Hope this makes sense and there is a way around it. Thanks!
Thanks for your help but I could dig further...I want to use a 2010 vintage 21.5" iMac desktop as a 2nd monitor. The computer has a mini display port but no thunderbolt or HDMI ports. My primary computer is a late -2013 21.5" iMac running Catalina 10.15.7. This computer has 2 thunderbolt ports and I'm currently running a 2nd monitor (Acer) using a thunderbolt to HDMI cable. I was hoping to use a thunderbolt to mini display port cable to connect the 2 iMacs but I can't find one which leads me to believe that it won't work. Can you suggest a solution? Thanks.
Hello, unfortunately the 2010 21.5" iMac never supported Target Display Mode. I've attached the link to Apple's web page about what iMacs were supported. support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592
Your video is so useful!! Unfortunately, I have an iMac 21" from 2008, therefore I can't use target mode, do you know if there's another way to use that display to connect it to my Macbooks? or PCs? I have a 2014 MacBook Pro 13", and a MacBook Pro Mid 2012 13"🤔?
Great video! Thank you. One question. I have a 2021 Macbook Pro (M1) and I was thinking of trying to connect it with an iMac between 2010 and 2019. Would it be possible? Thank you in advance.
So the only iMac in that range that it would be possible to use Target Display Mode with your Macbook would be the 27 inch 2010 iMac. Those are pretty much compatible with any other computer that can output to DisplayPort through a cable or adapter.
@4:29 you said PC can connect to a 2009 or 2010 24" or 27" iMac via Thunderbolt. But @6:10 for PC with thunderbolt it's all crossed out for 2009-2010 iMac?
Yes that is correct, and the chart probably should be updated to make a distinction. The reasoning behind it is that very few PCs were ever built with Thunderbolt 1&2 ports so it's very unlikely a PC would ever connect with that. However, technically it should work, as Thunderbolt 3&4 like its predecessors allow Display Port signals, and is on many PCs now and should work with the right setup.
I have a 24" M1 2021iMac. I would like to know if you can connect an A1311, 21.5" 2009 iMac as a second display for my M1 iMac? You mentioned the 24 and 27 inch models but I don't think I heard anything about the 21.5" model. If I can, how would I do that? Thanks so much!!!
Yes, it should be able to. I'm using an M2 Mac Mini with a 27" 2009 iMac as my main monitor. Any USB-C to Mini DisplayPort cable would be the easiest way to do it. One like this. www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-DisplayPort-Supporting-Black/dp/B0777S15V2/ref=sr_1_6?sr=8-6
Hey, Thanks for the video, need to ask you if I can use Late 2012 iMac running Catalina (Last possible upgrade of the hardware) as an external monitor (via Target Display Mode) with my Early 2015 Macbook pro (running latest Operating Systems like Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma). You did not mention Catalina iMac late 2012 as a Target Mode variant in your chart. Please advice. Thanks.
great video buddy. very clear explanation. thanks. i'm wondering if the video is supported, can it also act like an external speaker along with it? (eg. playing videos) (imac 2011 - thunderbolt 1)
Hello, I wanted to ask you, I have two imac 2011 21.5, I connected them using a thunderbolt cable but the target display did not work, the cable is not original, could it be the cable? Can these two imacs be connected? Thank you and the video is very good.
That's great information , thanks for the video. Just want to make sure before I spend some money on a new computer. I have a 2010 iMac 27'' . I'm looking to buy an 2020 iMac 27'' Retina 5K and would like to use my 2010 imac as an external display for the 2020 5K Retina. If I understand your chart correctly, this is possible right ?
Ventura seems to support this. I am using a MacBook Pro 2012 and, with the display port / thunderbolt cable, connecting to a 2011 iMac running Ventura (via Open Core Legacy Patcher). I get the laptop's screen on my iMac, but what I haven't sorted is that it won't play sound through the iMac. Running High Sierra on the iMac I connect and play sound from the same laptop just fine.
Interesting, I had heard that Open Core Legacy Patcher allowed those models of iMac to use TDM on newer OSes, but it sounds like the Patcher is introducing some incompatibility or driver issue affecting the audio.
I have a question, I have a late 2009 iMac 27” running Mac OS high sierra with mini display port and I want to use it as a monitor for my ps3. On aliexpress there are a lot of cables from mini display port to hdmi without any usb power. Will they work? Or do I need a usb powered converter?
Honestly I would stick with one that has has the USB power. You can plug the USB part into the PS3 or iMac, it doesn't matter. The ones on Aliexpress may work, but you never know. Whatever adapter you do get, make sure it's unidirectional.
Pra galera que tava em duvida como eu, o principal e: se vc tem um pc/hakintosh com entrada displayport basta comprar um cabo com uma ponta de mini display ( ou tunterbolt, depende do ano do imac) e a outra ponta de display port e pronto. Caso seja HDMI ai tem que comprar o conversor que ele indica, aqui no brasil so achei no carrefour como compra inter e custa uns 250,00. Não adianta comprar adaptador pra hdmi, ou cabo com uma ponta de hdmi, a apple não reconhece essa entrada, então somente com conversor ( e esses que tem uma entrada usb pra alimentação) que funcionaria. Espero ter ajudo!
Oi Camila, tudo bem? Tenho um hackintosh aqui com uma RX 6600m com saída display Port.....e um imac mid 2011 ...entendi que não tenho como usar o imac como display externo aqui, certo?
@@TiagoJost Ei Thiago, tem sim… na verdade depende do tamanho da tela do seu imac… os de 27 é certeza que sim, lembro de ter visto algo sobre os de 24 tb… mas o de 21 parece que n tem. Se o seu for de 27, basta só comprar o cabo com uma ponta Thunderbolt ( que é a porta do modelo do seu imac) e a outra displayport… aí é só conectar e se n mudar direto só apertar comand +f2 ( se vc deixar pra ligar o pc depois que já estiver conectado, muda automático assim que vc liga)
Hi, quick question, my hp envy laptop works fine with TDM, but for some reason my wife’s Hp elitebook won’t connect to target display? Any suggestions why this won’t work?
Thank you for the chart! I have a 2016 Macbook Pro and a 2012 Mac .. At some point a few years ago, I updated my OS on the MacBook and lost this capability. Has it since been restored? I was told that it was because new MacBooks were being made w/more complex screens and different outputs? Clearly I don't know what I'm really talking about, lol. Should I try again?
Yes, I think the ability to use it between your two Macs would have been lost if you upgraded past Catalina, according to Apple. It wasn't ever restored in any future OS updates. I think the real reason Apple stopped supporting it was that they wanted to sell their Studio Displays, and it would cut into their own market if people could keep using their nice iMacs as monitors.
question: i have a imac late 2009, 21.5 inch, that ran high sierra, but i used opencore to boot it into Ventura. does this work? You mentioned that the thunderbolt ports and the Display port are the same. My imac has a display port, except the cable im using is Thunderbolt. Is this compatible?
Hello mate, how r u doing. I have a 2009 27 inch iMac which have mini display ports, and I have a 2014 Mac mini which and Thunderbolt 2 port and hdmi port, can u plz advise me what kinds of cable should I buy? Thx a lot.
I have a MacBook Pro 13-inch 2017 with 2 thunderbolt 3 ports running MacOS Mojave. Can I connect with a iMac 27-inch, Late 2013 running macOS Catalina?
@PittersComputers tks for being out there. My issue is that I have a 2010(MID) iMAC High Sierra connected to a displayport to HDMI cable going into a benifi adapter via HDMI in the mini mac M1. Now, when I turn on the mini mac the monitor will go black and then come back. So, I go Command F2 and nada? I'm just plain stumped? If you got anything, let me know as any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
If you can, try a USB-C to mini display port cord. It sounds like you're doing everything right. My only guess is an issue with the HDMI to DisplayPort adapter.
hey.. glad I found your video.. I have a Macbook pro from 2015 running Monterey, connected to a 2013 iMac, using thunderbolt 2.. it works great.. what I was looking at doing was getting another cheap imac from the same era, to have 2 screens...unfortunately though only one of my thunderbolt 2 ports is working... and I understand that daisy chaining display mode isn't an option.. so I was thinking of using a 3rd party app or dongle for one of them, and a thunderbolt for the other... is it right about the daisy chaining? i guess repairing the thunderbolt port just isn't worth it.
@@Pessimsfit hi, i just connected the thunderbolt 2 cable and pressed f2 on the imac keybaord..it has to be a proper apple keyboard. in the end i just stopped using such old tech and got myself a mac mini.
I saw a video where they used a Headless Ghost Monitor Adapter/Dummy Plug to connect old iMac to Macbook. Not sure if 2 adapters are needed for source and destination?
The Mac Mini or any Mac can be on the latest Mac OS (or it will have any restrictions or limitations) to connect to such 2009 or 2010 on Catalina or earlier?
I have iMac 2010(late 2009) Here are specs: SD card reader 2010 (late 2009) OBS iMac 21.5 inch 2009 version 3 GB ram (8-16 now), 500 GB storage Bluetooth capable DVD port on the side Want to use it as an external monitor and have tried all different cables mentioned. Not sure why it’s not working. Any suggestions?
Thank you for this video. I have a late 2013 imac, with intel running Yosemite and a last 2013 macbook air running Big Sur. The imac has two thunderbolt ports, I think one is mini display. I don't fully understand the difference and the macbook pro has Thunderbolt connection as well. Would you know what cable I need to use the imac as a monitor for the macbook air? Thank you in advance for your help!
debeye 13 I think you would need to use a Thunderbolt cable. Thunderbolt end in MacBook Pro and the other end in the display port on the iMac. That what I gleaned from looking at the chart in the video. 🙂
I have a 2021 m1 imac and i wanted to use my late 2009 21.5 inch imac as a 2nd screen. I bought a thunderbolt 3 to mini display port cable. tried what you said..and it doesn't work.. are they not compatible? what am i doing wrong?
I have an Imac (high sierra) and it says build late 2011 but has a mini display port on the back. I tried to plug my new pc in with HDMI in the pc entree, and mini display port in the back of the Imac (has the MDP icon above it) but it didn't connect the two. do you have to press some keys still to switch the screens? and when you press the bottons, is the keyboard connected to the imac or the pc? 21.5inch model btw Thankyouuu
This would be the cable you need to connect to a PC with display port: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NW9XKGL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1 If you plan to connect to a new Mac like an M1 or M2 Mac Mini, you can use this one: www.amazon.com/dp/B073CVK6P6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
That is correct. Not with Target Display Mode anyways. There are some companies that offer products that are supposed to allow you to use any iMac as a screen, but I've never tested any of them to say whether they're any good or not.
Hola Pitter! Thanks for both videos regarding the use of old iMacs as a target display. Is sad the limitations imposed by apple. I want to use my iMac 27" as a monitor for photo editing. My actual computer is a MacBook pro 2023. My question is, installing some linux distro in the iMac can I use it as a external display for the macBook pro? In advance I thank you. Best.
Hello and thank you! Although I have not tested it myself, this project claims to be a small bare-bones linux-distro that allows TDM to be used. It may have limitations on what Macs it can be used, but the author only has a 2009 iMac to test it on. github.com/gpdm/tinycore-targetdisplaymode If you give it a try, good luck!
Great video. I'm trying to use a Late 2009 27" iMac running macOS Sierra as a monitor of a Windows laptop and I simply can't do it. I followed all the steps but it just doesn't work, can you help me? By the way, I connected them using an HDMI cable and an adapter mini-DisplayPort/HDMI. Thank you.
Hi.Thank you for the video and table. Just wanting to triple check compatibility before I spend money on a new monitor. I would like to use a late 2013, 27" monitor as the target monitor, for my mac book pro 2023 Apple M2 Max Ventura 13.4.1. Will this definitely not work? I have a thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2 cable. Thank you!
Thank you! Yes, that 2013 iMac will definitely not work with Target Display Mode to a M2 Max based Mac. Compatibility between the 2011- 2014 iMacs and other Mac computers ended with the Intel based Macs and Catalina.
Great tutorial. I am using a 27" 2012 as my output to a 27" 2010 target via DisplayPort adaptor > HDMI cable > Display Port adaptor, but no luch so far. 😢
Thank you! Have you tried a mini-DisplayPort to mini-DisplayPort cable? The Thunderbolt port on the 2012 should be able to connect to a DisplayPort monitor, which the 2010 iMac has effectively become.
I have a 2017 21.5 inch with 8 GB memory and 1TB for storage… It is so freaking so, I barely have software installed, just my criccut. So I bought the M1 Chip MacMini and I love it. But hate my purchased monitor. So I’m gonna try this to see if it works. Yep, it didn’t work😢
I have a 2017 iMac and it has not thunderbolt or display ports. It only has USB and USB C ports. I haven't found a video that explains how to use this type of iMac as an external display.
OMG after an hour of trying to use my 2013 iMac 27" as a second display this video finally let me give up... thanks I guess Apple has decreed my perfectly fine display just has to go in the dumpster. Why a newer macbook with newer macOS is more limited I will never know.
Good video - thanks. Can I confirm.... that I am not able to connect my 2023 Mac Mini to my 2013 iMac using Thunderbolt 1 connecting to the MacMini using a USBC converter? IMac is running hi Sierra, MacMini is running Ventura. Thanks,
If it is the right type of HDMI to mini-DisplayPort cable like I mention in the video, then yes, absolutely it will work! I personally use a USB-C to mini-DisplayPort cable on my M1 Mac Mini to a 2010 iMac and it works great too.
Hey - I'm desperate to get Target Display Mode working on my old iMac 2010 (High Sierra) with my Macbook Air 2019 (Ventura). I used the correct lead (Thunderbolt to USB-C) but no joy. Any ideas?
Make sure the cable is mini-DisplayPort to USB-C. If its Thunderbolt to USB-C, the old iMac won't be able to use it, since it doesn't have a Thunderbolt Port, just a mini-displayport. I know the ports look the same, but the icon above it will be different.
Hello, thanks for the video.. I have a 2013 imac with Catalina and a Windows 10 laptop with HDMI output, I have a displayPort to HDMI cable, I connect the DisplayPort/Thunderbold end to the Imac and the other HDMI end to the laptop but I can't use the imac screen as output to the laptop, by pressing the key combination. Am I doing something else or is it not possible to do it? Thank you so much.
That iMac won't be able to work with a Windows PC. Unfortunately, it was only able to use Target Display Mode with certain other Macs from it's time period.
Hey buddy… I currently have a 2014 Mac Mini and 2014 iMac both running Catalina. I am having no luck getting the target display to work. I have both machines running.. then I plug in the Thunderbolt 2. When I hit command f2 nothing happens.. I have a keyboard connected to the Mac mini and even have one connected to the iMac… but neither will activate the switch. Any suggestions?
Hmm its odd that its not working. Everything sounds good on your end. I do remember having an issue getting it to work with Catalina once, even though Apple says it should work, where it just wouldn't switch over until I downgraded the OS to 10.6 on the iMac. I have an iMac similar to yours and the same Mac Mini, I'd like to try upgrading the iMac to Catalina and seeing if I get the same problem. I'll have to get back to you with what I find.
@@techexamined Ahhh so that's the problem. It won't work with Target Display Mode. It's unfortunate that Apple decided to do away with the feature with the 5k iMacs.
Surely you can just downgrade to macos high Sierra for 2011-2014 iMac and it should work with thunderbolt to HDMI? I'm going to try this soon and I will update if it works
I keep posting a comment in our thread but it keeps disappearing. Apologies! I’ve been looking at options for the cable you described but I keep seeing that they are compatible with Thunderbolt 3 ports but not Thunderbolt 4s - which is what my Mac mini has. Do you know if this is accurate or should I just order a cable and try it?
@@PittersComputers unfortunately this cable also isn’t working. Command + F2 has no effect. Could it be something in my settings? I’ve checked and couldn’t find anything that would prohibit this from working.
@@PittersComputers I just got off the phone with apple support. Despite them telling me these two machines were going to be compatible, they just told me they are not. The Mac mini is too new, it needs to be a 2019 model or older. Very big bummer. Thank you for all the help you provided!
Not that I've seen with Target Display Mode. the 2011-mid 2014 iMacs are only able to use Target Display Mode with other Macs made before 2020 and run Catalina or earlier. You may have to look into something called Luna Display.
Hi Pitter's - Thanks for the videos, but I am afraid I am still an idiot and confused 🙂 ! Is there any way I can connect my windows work lap top to my Late 2015 iMac? Thanks so much, I have obviously bought the wrong cable and at a loss of how to do it….
Not through Target Display Mode unfortunately. Apple removed it from the late 2014 models and up. Even then, only the 2009 and 2010 iMacs would work with a Windows PC.
hey, thanks for the video! i have a mini display port to hdmi cable and the target display mode doesn’t come on… is it because I have a 3rd party keyboard?
It shouldn't be the keyboard. As long as the iMac and other computer work together as I lay out in the video, it could be the HDMI to Mini-Display Port cable. What cable are you using?
@@PittersComputersfor some reason it does not trigger no matter how many times I press the command/f2 keys. I have a generic mini display port to hdmi that I bought from a tech store
@@ShannonRosanna If you don't mind spending the money to try, I would use this adapter and cable. It's what I've used to go from HDMI to mini-DisplayPort on a 27" 2010 iMac. Only downside is it requires 1 free USB slot. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NW9XKGL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0752D33PJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Hello Pitter, thanks for the great info you've provided. My scenario is this - I have a late 2009 27" iMac (which has the mini display port). It's running macOS High Sierra 10.13.6. I also have a PC Laptop which I would like to use as a source. Just to confirm I took the Mini-Display to HDMI Adapter cable from VIVANKY (just as you did in your video) and connected the other end of the HDMI cable to the PC/Laptop. However, when I push [command] and [F2] on the iMac keyboard nothing happens, also in addition [Fn] doesn't help. The signal from the PC/Laptop is fine though the iMac doesn't switch to "Target Display Mode". Any hint?
Hmm interesting question. For the HDMI to Display Port adapter, are you using the BENFEI one I linked, or a different one? The only issue I can see there is if the USB part of it wasn't plugged in too, that would cause it to not work. Another possible, however unlikely problem, is that it doesn't like working on High Sierra. I had an issue with TDM on Catalina, and when I downgraded to 10.6 on the iMac it worked fine. I doubt this is the problem since it should work on High Sierra, but I wanted to mention it.
Yes Mini display port. However, display port to HDMI is one directional. What no one seems to mention is that to go from HDMI to display, you need very specific adapters that also use the USB port to power the conversion. And its uni-direction then from HDMI to display port, and THEN you need a display port to mini-display port connected to that @@PittersComputers
Have a mid. 2010 27inc. IMac and 2023 mac mini2 . Can i use a HDMI cable from the Mac mini2 to the back of the Imac 27 -/mini display port ? And if so does it need to Unidirectional cabel?
If you want to use HDMI, this is what you'll want to use. It requires a special HDMI to DisplayPort adapter. As a note, the adapter requires a free USB port for extra power. The adapter to connect to the HDMI port on the Mac Mini. www.amazon.com/dp/B0752D33PJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details To connect the adapter to the iMac. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NW9XKGL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Yep, you gave me bad news about my 2011 iMac. But, you saved me a lot of headaches.
Super helpful. I've spent 10 hours trying to figure out why my 2009 21 inch imac wouldn't get into target display mode, ugh.
This is the 1 video anyone needs when looking into this, thank you!
Thank you brother! It save me so much time trying to connect my iMac 2011 to M1 Air
Are you done this? I have the same setup and it’s doesn’t work
Thank you for clearing that up as Apple Support says nothing about my iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010) not supporting Target Display Mode. Looks like I cannot use it as a display as I'd hoped. Very disappointing.
Thank you so much. Wish I had found this earlier. Such a helpful and detailed video.
Apple sicken me...they could have kept TDM on every machine they produced ...but because they dont want you to use perfectly viable older equipment chose not to...they want to force you to buy their new crap...
Thank you very much. Bad news for me, but clarity is more important.
WARNING! Hi, Your info was a great help to me. I have had my 2009 iMac as a second display for a new Mac Mini 2 running Ventura, so THANK YOU. Foolishly, I upgraded Ventura to Sonoma and now the iMac does not work as a display any more. Just thought you would like to know.
Yes Sir, perfect informative video. Multiple concepts were cleared. But you forgot to talk about Apple Silicon chips - M series processors.
Thank you so much. This was very clearly explained. The best I've found.
Could confirm using my $6000 M3 Max MacBook Pro 16in could be connected to my 27in 2010 maxed out iMac by just using a $15-$16 mini display to thunderbolt cable. It also has been running fine and the only problem is you could only control the resolution from the main machine if you were planning to use the keyboard and mouse/trackpad onto your MacBook. Otherwise, on your main machine, which for me is my MacBook Pro you can’t control the brightness or sound of iMac, but if you did have an extra keyboard or the original keyboard hooked up to the iMac or still pair to iMac, then you could control it using the keyboard function keys, or F hot keys.😊👍
Fantastic vid that saved me a bunch of time. I've got a 2011 imac and am looking to buy the mac mini m2... So it's vnc/etc for me.
To summarize, only 27-inch versions of 2009 iMac and 2010 iMac having High Sierra OSX or earlier will work with a Windows PC.
hey ! thanks for your video awesome info , just before I buy I would like to validé with you if this going to work . I’m looking to buy a 2020 iMac 27’’ 5k Retina and would like to use my 2010 iMac 27’’ as an external display. This should works right ?
@@HUguesCharette - I'm not the author of the video! As per the video, this combination would not work.
No - needs to also be a 2010 iMac that's 24"+ (21.5" model will not work).
Good job summing it up. You save me a lot of time. Thanks.
Thanks for the video, i wanted to connect my pc to my 2013 27in imac to use as a monitor but looks like i cant 😢
Super helpful. Thanks man!
Hi @PittersComputers, thanks so much for putting this video together! I replaced my 2 iMacs with 2 Mac Mini M2's and am wanting to use the iMacs as screens for three reasons. Firstly, they are great displays, secondly, I want to save on e-waste and thirdly it makes financial sense. The 2 iMacs I have are: 2013 27" iMac 27" and the other is a 27" 2012 iMac. None of them have the thunderbolt display icon that looks like this -> |O| All the connector cables I can find on Amazon and the one's you mentioned say you have to use a port that has that display icon on it and that the normal thunderbolt port is not the same and have a clear red cross saying you can't use a normal thunderbolt 1/2 port on the iMac. Is this correct and will it actually work? Your help would be so appreciated! Thank you!
Unfortunately the M2 Mac Minis will not be able to connect to the 2013 and 2012 iMacs with Target Display Mode. Apple made it so only pre-2020 Macs running Catalina or earlier are able to connect to the 2011-mid 2014 iMacs and use Target Display Mode.
@@PittersComputers Thanks so much for your reply. Really appreciate it!!! Thank you for all your hard work and input on this as well. You've saved a truckload of e-waste by posting these videos!!! Thank you!
@@PittersComputersso that means my 2015 Mac Pro can’t connect to my 2013 iMac desktop correct?
Thank you for your clarification. I tried using a Dell notebook with a Type-C/HDMI to mini DP port with an iMac 2009 21.5" several times, and it did not work. Your table allows me to give up and move on.
I'm trying to connect a Mac Pro Late 2013 running Montery to my 27in mid 2010 iMac running High Sierra, but I'm confused on which cable to use. I tried a Display Port to HDMI, but it doesn't seem to work. Can anyone clear that up for me?
Hi Pitter, thanks for the great info you provided. My scenario is this - I have a mid 2011 24" iMac. It is running WIndows 8.1. I also have a Laptop that I want to use as a source which has an available HDMI port on my laptop. Any suggestions for me which cable I should buy?
Also - 2017 27” running Ventura works with TDM to 2011 27” connected via Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter and thunder bolt cable.
I have 2010 imac 21.5 inch with display port, so why it cannot be used as a monitor? Is it because it won’t run OS High Sierra?
Thanks for taking the trouble to experiment. Like @msmith3537's experience, you have saved me from banging my head against a wall trying to get a Lenovo PC with Display Port and HDMI to work with a 27 inch iMac from 2011. However I can use my 2011 iMac with my 2013 iMac via Thunderbolt 1.
Hello Pitter, Im trying to make my 2009 iMac mid 2009 as a 2nd display for my 2020 iMac but nothing is happening. Can you help me out please?
What kind of cable are you using to connect the two? And what size 2009 iMac is it?
@@PittersComputers Mini DP to USB-C. And it is a 24’ Mid 2009 with 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo l, updated 4G + 4G RAM + NVDA GoForce 9400 256MB
Thank you for the help!
hello! Your video saved me here in Brazil! thanks! I have a 2010 iMac 27 and I want to connect it to a hakintosh, can I make the connection just using the adapter?
Helpful video.👍
Hey Pitter, i have the new m2 mac mini and i also have a mid 2010 24 inch (i think) Imac that is running Mac OS high Sierra 10.13.6 will this work?? 🤞I am a student so am trying to save up some money wherever i can. Thanks
Thank you about my
20inch Imac 2009. I can get rid of it now!
Hi there, I have 2017 21" iMac (Mojave) and would like to connect it with a mini M1 (16Gb/256Gb SSD) - which M1 model (years) would fit best to buy? Thank you in advance, cheers
Excellent video. I have a question. Does it work with an old early 2009 iMac and a Mac mini? Thanks
Hello! I Have connected my Macbook and iMac, and I switched the wireless mouse to connect to my Macbook, but I cannot get the wireless keyboard to connect. Is this possible to do? I tried connecting it before I plugged in the thunderbolt cord but then the Command F-2 function doesn't work if the keyboard isn't connected to the iMac. Hope this makes sense and there is a way around it. Thanks!
Thanks for your help but I could dig further...I want to use a 2010 vintage 21.5" iMac desktop as a 2nd monitor. The computer has a mini display port but no thunderbolt or HDMI ports. My primary computer is a late -2013 21.5" iMac running Catalina 10.15.7. This computer has 2 thunderbolt ports and I'm currently running a 2nd monitor (Acer) using a thunderbolt to HDMI cable. I was hoping to use a thunderbolt to mini display port cable to connect the 2 iMacs but I can't find one which leads me to believe that it won't work. Can you suggest a solution? Thanks.
Hello, unfortunately the 2010 21.5" iMac never supported Target Display Mode. I've attached the link to Apple's web page about what iMacs were supported.
support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592
Your video is so useful!! Unfortunately, I have an iMac 21" from 2008, therefore I can't use target mode, do you know if there's another way to use that display to connect it to my Macbooks? or PCs? I have a 2014 MacBook Pro 13", and a MacBook Pro Mid 2012 13"🤔?
Great video! Thank you.
One question. I have a 2021 Macbook Pro (M1) and I was thinking of trying to connect it with an iMac between 2010 and 2019. Would it be possible? Thank you in advance.
So the only iMac in that range that it would be possible to use Target Display Mode with your Macbook would be the 27 inch 2010 iMac. Those are pretty much compatible with any other computer that can output to DisplayPort through a cable or adapter.
@4:29 you said PC can connect to a 2009 or 2010 24" or 27" iMac via Thunderbolt.
But @6:10 for PC with thunderbolt it's all crossed out for 2009-2010 iMac?
Yes that is correct, and the chart probably should be updated to make a distinction. The reasoning behind it is that very few PCs were ever built with Thunderbolt 1&2 ports so it's very unlikely a PC would ever connect with that. However, technically it should work, as Thunderbolt 3&4 like its predecessors allow Display Port signals, and is on many PCs now and should work with the right setup.
@@PittersComputers Thanks for the information!
I have a 24" M1 2021iMac. I would like to know if you can connect an A1311, 21.5" 2009 iMac as a second display for my M1 iMac? You mentioned the 24 and 27 inch models but I don't think I heard anything about the 21.5" model. If I can, how would I do that? Thanks so much!!!
Can my 2021 MacBook M1 Pro use my old 2009 27" iMac as a monitor? If so, what cables do you recommend? Can you please share a link to purchase?
Yes, it should be able to. I'm using an M2 Mac Mini with a 27" 2009 iMac as my main monitor. Any USB-C to Mini DisplayPort cable would be the easiest way to do it. One like this. www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-DisplayPort-Supporting-Black/dp/B0777S15V2/ref=sr_1_6?sr=8-6
Hey,
Thanks for the video, need to ask you if I can use Late 2012 iMac running Catalina (Last possible upgrade of the hardware) as an external monitor (via Target Display Mode) with my Early 2015 Macbook pro (running latest Operating Systems like Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma).
You did not mention Catalina iMac late 2012 as a Target Mode variant in your chart.
Please advice.
Thanks.
You can if you upgrade to Ventura with OCLP
great video buddy. very clear explanation. thanks. i'm wondering if the video is supported, can it also act like an external speaker along with it? (eg. playing videos) (imac 2011 - thunderbolt 1)
Thank you! It will carry audio along with the video and play through the iMac's speakers.
Hello, I wanted to ask you, I have two imac 2011 21.5, I connected them using a thunderbolt cable but the target display did not work, the cable is not original, could it be the cable? Can these two imacs be connected? Thank you and the video is very good.
That's great information , thanks for the video. Just want to make sure before I spend some money on a new computer. I have a 2010 iMac 27'' . I'm looking to buy an 2020 iMac 27'' Retina 5K and would like to use my 2010 imac as an external display for the 2020 5K Retina. If I understand your chart correctly, this is possible right ?
Yes, that should work. You should be able to use a USB-C to Mini-DisplayPort cable to connect to the old iMac.
Ventura seems to support this. I am using a MacBook Pro 2012 and, with the display port / thunderbolt cable, connecting to a 2011 iMac running Ventura (via Open Core Legacy Patcher). I get the laptop's screen on my iMac, but what I haven't sorted is that it won't play sound through the iMac. Running High Sierra on the iMac I connect and play sound from the same laptop just fine.
Interesting, I had heard that Open Core Legacy Patcher allowed those models of iMac to use TDM on newer OSes, but it sounds like the Patcher is introducing some incompatibility or driver issue affecting the audio.
What about DVI? I have an old Mac Pro tower. Can I connect an iMac to it?
I have a question, I have a late 2009 iMac 27” running Mac OS high sierra with mini display port and I want to use it as a monitor for my ps3. On aliexpress there are a lot of cables from mini display port to hdmi without any usb power. Will they work? Or do I need a usb powered converter?
Honestly I would stick with one that has has the USB power. You can plug the USB part into the PS3 or iMac, it doesn't matter. The ones on Aliexpress may work, but you never know. Whatever adapter you do get, make sure it's unidirectional.
Pra galera que tava em duvida como eu, o principal e: se vc tem um pc/hakintosh com entrada displayport basta comprar um cabo com uma ponta de mini display ( ou tunterbolt, depende do ano do imac) e a outra ponta de display port e pronto. Caso seja HDMI ai tem que comprar o conversor que ele indica, aqui no brasil so achei no carrefour como compra inter e custa uns 250,00. Não adianta comprar adaptador pra hdmi, ou cabo com uma ponta de hdmi, a apple não reconhece essa entrada, então somente com conversor ( e esses que tem uma entrada usb pra alimentação) que funcionaria. Espero ter ajudo!
Oi Camila, tudo bem? Tenho um hackintosh aqui com uma RX 6600m com saída display Port.....e um imac mid 2011 ...entendi que não tenho como usar o imac como display externo aqui, certo?
@@TiagoJost Ei Thiago, tem sim… na verdade depende do tamanho da tela do seu imac… os de 27 é certeza que sim, lembro de ter visto algo sobre os de 24 tb… mas o de 21 parece que n tem. Se o seu for de 27, basta só comprar o cabo com uma ponta Thunderbolt ( que é a porta do modelo do seu imac) e a outra displayport… aí é só conectar e se n mudar direto só apertar comand +f2 ( se vc deixar pra ligar o pc depois que já estiver conectado, muda automático assim que vc liga)
@@JaquelineCamila ah o meu é justamente o de 21.... obrigado pela ajuda e por compartilhar seu conhecimento
Poxa, tenho um iMac 2008 que estava esperando usar como monitor… será que minha única saída é me desfazer dele? 😢
Mas isso funcionaria mesmo nos modelos de 2014?
Hi, quick question, my hp envy laptop works fine with TDM, but for some reason my wife’s Hp elitebook won’t connect to target display? Any suggestions why this won’t work?
Connected on a mid 2010 27inch iMac.
I would suggest to use Parsec. It works absolutely great. I am able use imac 2013 as monitor for my windows laptop.
What is Parsec? Would want to connect an 2011 24" to a new PC with HDMI out. Would this be possible?
Thank you for the chart! I have a 2016 Macbook Pro and a 2012 Mac .. At some point a few years ago, I updated my OS on the MacBook and lost this capability. Has it since been restored? I was told that it was because new MacBooks were being made w/more complex screens and different outputs? Clearly I don't know what I'm really talking about, lol. Should I try again?
Yes, I think the ability to use it between your two Macs would have been lost if you upgraded past Catalina, according to Apple. It wasn't ever restored in any future OS updates. I think the real reason Apple stopped supporting it was that they wanted to sell their Studio Displays, and it would cut into their own market if people could keep using their nice iMacs as monitors.
question: i have a imac late 2009, 21.5 inch, that ran high sierra, but i used opencore to boot it into Ventura. does this work? You mentioned that the thunderbolt ports and the Display port are the same. My imac has a display port, except the cable im using is Thunderbolt. Is this compatible?
So the 2009 21.5 inch iMacs didn't support Target Display Mode at all unfortunately.
@@PittersComputers ok thx
Hello mate, how r u doing. I have a 2009 27 inch iMac which have mini display ports, and I have a 2014 Mac mini which and Thunderbolt 2 port and hdmi port, can u plz advise me what kinds of cable should I buy? Thx a lot.
I have a MacBook Pro 13-inch 2017 with 2 thunderbolt 3 ports running MacOS Mojave. Can I connect with a iMac 27-inch, Late 2013 running macOS Catalina?
@PittersComputers tks for being out there. My issue is that I have a 2010(MID) iMAC High Sierra connected to a displayport to HDMI cable going into a benifi adapter via HDMI in the mini mac M1. Now, when I turn on the mini mac the monitor will go black and then come back. So, I go Command F2 and nada? I'm just plain stumped? If you got anything, let me know as any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
If you can, try a USB-C to mini display port cord. It sounds like you're doing everything right. My only guess is an issue with the HDMI to DisplayPort adapter.
hey.. glad I found your video.. I have a Macbook pro from 2015 running Monterey, connected to a 2013 iMac, using thunderbolt 2.. it works great.. what I was looking at doing was getting another cheap imac from the same era, to have 2 screens...unfortunately though only one of my thunderbolt 2 ports is working... and I understand that daisy chaining display mode isn't an option.. so I was thinking of using a 3rd party app or dongle for one of them, and a thunderbolt for the other... is it right about the daisy chaining? i guess repairing the thunderbolt port just isn't worth it.
How did you get your 2015 Mack book to connect with your 2013imac? It’s not working for me
@@Pessimsfit hi, i just connected the thunderbolt 2 cable and pressed f2 on the imac keybaord..it has to be a proper apple keyboard. in the end i just stopped using such old tech and got myself a mac mini.
Great video
I saw a video where they used a Headless Ghost Monitor Adapter/Dummy Plug to connect old iMac to Macbook. Not sure if 2 adapters are needed for source and destination?
The Mac Mini or any Mac can be on the latest Mac OS (or it will have any restrictions or limitations) to connect to such 2009 or 2010 on Catalina or earlier?
Hi thanks for your video, can I use my iMac late 2013 to connect with my pc using this mode?
I have iMac 2010(late 2009) Here are specs:
SD card reader
2010 (late 2009)
OBS iMac 21.5 inch 2009 version
3 GB ram (8-16 now),
500 GB storage
Bluetooth capable
DVD port on the side
Want to use it as an external monitor and have tried all different cables mentioned. Not sure why it’s not working. Any suggestions?
Unfortunately the 2009 iMacs never supported Target Display Mode.
Thank you for this video. I have a late 2013 imac, with intel running Yosemite and a last 2013 macbook air running Big Sur. The imac has two thunderbolt ports, I think one is mini display. I don't fully understand the difference and the macbook pro has Thunderbolt connection as well. Would you know what cable I need to use the imac as a monitor for the macbook air? Thank you in advance for your help!
debeye 13 I think you would need to use a Thunderbolt cable. Thunderbolt end in MacBook Pro and the other end in the display port on the iMac. That what I gleaned from looking at the chart in the video. 🙂
I have a 2021 m1 imac and i wanted to use my late 2009 21.5 inch imac as a 2nd screen. I bought a thunderbolt 3 to mini display port cable. tried what you said..and it doesn't work.. are they not compatible? what am i doing wrong?
Sadly Apple didn't allow the 21.5" iMac to support Target Display Mode. Only the 24" and 27" models did. support.apple.com/en-us/105126
@@PittersComputers ugh. Ok. Thanks for letting me know.
@@PittersComputers also, it didn’t work on my 2012 27”. But, it’s not suppose to correct?
@@keithdivel That's correct. The 2012 would only work with others Macs of the same time period. Not your newer one unfortunately.
I have an Imac (high sierra) and it says build late 2011 but has a mini display port on the back. I tried to plug my new pc in with HDMI in the pc entree, and mini display port in the back of the Imac (has the MDP icon above it) but it didn't connect the two. do you have to press some keys still to switch the screens? and when you press the bottons, is the keyboard connected to the imac or the pc?
21.5inch model btw
Thankyouuu
So I can connect my 2017 iMac with Mojave via usb c to display port to my iMac 2009?
Thanks. I will miss my 2017 iMac screen :-(
Ahh just made the mistake of getting a imac 2014 to be a display for my 2021 MacBook 😱 is there any hope at all for me?
Very helpful, thank you so much!! 💜 which cable do I need for my iMac 2010 27", it has the display port. thanks 💜
This would be the cable you need to connect to a PC with display port:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NW9XKGL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
If you plan to connect to a new Mac like an M1 or M2 Mac Mini, you can use this one:
www.amazon.com/dp/B073CVK6P6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
@@PittersComputers thank you so much!💜
So, if I understand correctly, my early 2015 27" iMac cannot function as a display for my Mac Mini. Is that correct?
That is correct. Not with Target Display Mode anyways. There are some companies that offer products that are supposed to allow you to use any iMac as a screen, but I've never tested any of them to say whether they're any good or not.
Hola Pitter! Thanks for both videos regarding the use of old iMacs as a target display. Is sad the limitations imposed by apple. I want to use my iMac 27" as a monitor for photo editing. My actual computer is a MacBook pro 2023. My question is, installing some linux distro in the iMac can I use it as a external display for the macBook pro? In advance I thank you. Best.
Hello and thank you! Although I have not tested it myself, this project claims to be a small bare-bones linux-distro that allows TDM to be used. It may have limitations on what Macs it can be used, but the author only has a 2009 iMac to test it on.
github.com/gpdm/tinycore-targetdisplaymode
If you give it a try, good luck!
Great video. I'm trying to use a Late 2009 27" iMac running macOS Sierra as a monitor of a Windows laptop and I simply can't do it. I followed all the steps but it just doesn't work, can you help me?
By the way, I connected them using an HDMI cable and an adapter mini-DisplayPort/HDMI.
Thank you.
The problem may be the HDMI adapter. Can you link what adapter you're using?
Hi.Thank you for the video and table. Just wanting to triple check compatibility before I spend money on a new monitor. I would like to use a late 2013, 27" monitor as the target monitor, for my mac book pro 2023 Apple M2 Max Ventura 13.4.1. Will this definitely not work? I have a thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2 cable. Thank you!
Thank you! Yes, that 2013 iMac will definitely not work with Target Display Mode to a M2 Max based Mac. Compatibility between the 2011- 2014 iMacs and other Mac computers ended with the Intel based Macs and Catalina.
I love you. Thank you
Great tutorial. I am using a 27" 2012 as my output to a 27" 2010 target via DisplayPort adaptor > HDMI cable > Display Port adaptor, but no luch so far. 😢
Thank you! Have you tried a mini-DisplayPort to mini-DisplayPort cable? The Thunderbolt port on the 2012 should be able to connect to a DisplayPort monitor, which the 2010 iMac has effectively become.
I have a 2017 21.5 inch with 8 GB memory and 1TB for storage… It is so freaking so, I barely have software installed, just my criccut. So I bought the M1 Chip MacMini and I love it. But hate my purchased monitor. So I’m gonna try this to see if it works. Yep, it didn’t work😢
I have a 2017 iMac and it has not thunderbolt or display ports. It only has USB and USB C ports. I haven't found a video that explains how to use this type of iMac as an external display.
Yep same
OMG after an hour of trying to use my 2013 iMac 27" as a second display this video finally let me give up... thanks I guess Apple has decreed my perfectly fine display just has to go in the dumpster. Why a newer macbook with newer macOS is more limited I will never know.
Good video - thanks. Can I confirm.... that I am not able to connect my 2023 Mac Mini to my 2013 iMac using Thunderbolt 1 connecting to the MacMini using a USBC converter? IMac is running hi Sierra, MacMini is running Ventura. Thanks,
That is correct. That iMac won't be able to connect to any Macs made after 2019 with Target Display Mode.
Hi! Sorry i’ve an Imac 24 mid 2011. I try to use it like a monitor with a portable pc but cmd+f2 doesn’t work? Can u help me??
Unfortunately the 2011 iMac won't work with any PC. It will only work with specific Macs made before 2020 and running Catalina or earlier.
Hi, if I were to connect a M2 Mac Mini to a 27-inch late 2009 iMac via a mini displayport to HDMI cable, will it work? Thanks.
If it is the right type of HDMI to mini-DisplayPort cable like I mention in the video, then yes, absolutely it will work! I personally use a USB-C to mini-DisplayPort cable on my M1 Mac Mini to a 2010 iMac and it works great too.
So if I’m correct, I can’t connect my iMac 2013 to my MacBook Pro M1?
Hey - I'm desperate to get Target Display Mode working on my old iMac 2010 (High Sierra) with my Macbook Air 2019 (Ventura). I used the correct lead (Thunderbolt to USB-C) but no joy. Any ideas?
Make sure the cable is mini-DisplayPort to USB-C. If its Thunderbolt to USB-C, the old iMac won't be able to use it, since it doesn't have a Thunderbolt Port, just a mini-displayport. I know the ports look the same, but the icon above it will be different.
@@PittersComputers - thanks. I just checked it out and you're right! I hadn't noticed that. I've ordered a new lead. Thanks again.
Hello, thanks for the video.. I have a 2013 imac with Catalina and a Windows 10 laptop with HDMI output, I have a displayPort to HDMI cable, I connect the DisplayPort/Thunderbold end to the Imac and the other HDMI end to the laptop but I can't use the imac screen as output to the laptop, by pressing the key combination. Am I doing something else or is it not possible to do it?
Thank you so much.
That iMac won't be able to work with a Windows PC. Unfortunately, it was only able to use Target Display Mode with certain other Macs from it's time period.
Thank you for the information! Soo sad that my iMac 2012 and new MBP M2 won't connect :((
Can I use my iMac 2015 as a display screen for my Mac Studio?
A Macbook Pro 2017 13" won't work with an iMac Late 2013 27" right?
Hey buddy… I currently have a 2014 Mac Mini and 2014 iMac both running Catalina. I am having no luck getting the target display to work. I have both machines running.. then I plug in the Thunderbolt 2. When I hit command f2 nothing happens.. I have a keyboard connected to the Mac mini and even have one connected to the iMac… but neither will activate the switch. Any suggestions?
Hmm its odd that its not working. Everything sounds good on your end. I do remember having an issue getting it to work with Catalina once, even though Apple says it should work, where it just wouldn't switch over until I downgraded the OS to 10.6 on the iMac. I have an iMac similar to yours and the same Mac Mini, I'd like to try upgrading the iMac to Catalina and seeing if I get the same problem. I'll have to get back to you with what I find.
My only other thought is that Target Display Mode cuts off at the mid 2014 iMac model. Is yours a late 2014 model by any chance?
@@PittersComputers Sounds good.. thanks for the help.. I wasn't planning on shooting the video till later this week..
@@PittersComputers Yes… the 5K version
@@techexamined Ahhh so that's the problem. It won't work with Target Display Mode. It's unfortunate that Apple decided to do away with the feature with the 5k iMacs.
Are u telling me this iMac 2015 I have is useless
Will thunder bolt 4 c type mac studio works?
Surely you can just downgrade to macos high Sierra for 2011-2014 iMac and it should work with thunderbolt to HDMI? I'm going to try this soon and I will update if it works
Can you make Videos (2007 iMac) connect to PS4 for Monitor Display? Because I only have iMac 2007.
Unfortunately the 2007 iMac does not support Target Display Mode.
I keep posting a comment in our thread but it keeps disappearing. Apologies!
I’ve been looking at options for the cable you described but I keep seeing that they are compatible with Thunderbolt 3 ports but not Thunderbolt 4s - which is what my Mac mini has. Do you know if this is accurate or should I just order a cable and try it?
So Thunderbolt 4 is backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 3, so in this case you'll be safe getting anything that says Thunderbolt 3 (or USB-C).
@@PittersComputers thank you so much!
@@emilygolan73 You're welcome! Hope it works out for you.
@@PittersComputers unfortunately this cable also isn’t working. Command + F2 has no effect. Could it be something in my settings? I’ve checked and couldn’t find anything that would prohibit this from working.
@@PittersComputers I just got off the phone with apple support. Despite them telling me these two machines were going to be compatible, they just told me they are not. The Mac mini is too new, it needs to be a 2019 model or older. Very big bummer. Thank you for all the help you provided!
Thank you!!
i have a 2011 27" imac and im wondering if its possible to connect this to a 2023 m2 mac mini
Not that I've seen with Target Display Mode. the 2011-mid 2014 iMacs are only able to use Target Display Mode with other Macs made before 2020 and run Catalina or earlier. You may have to look into something called Luna Display.
Hi Pitter's - Thanks for the videos, but I am afraid I am still an idiot and confused 🙂 ! Is there any way I can connect my windows work lap top to my Late 2015 iMac? Thanks so much, I have obviously bought the wrong cable and at a loss of how to do it….
Not through Target Display Mode unfortunately. Apple removed it from the late 2014 models and up. Even then, only the 2009 and 2010 iMacs would work with a Windows PC.
hey, thanks for the video! i have a mini display port to hdmi cable and the target display mode doesn’t come on… is it because I have a 3rd party keyboard?
It shouldn't be the keyboard. As long as the iMac and other computer work together as I lay out in the video, it could be the HDMI to Mini-Display Port cable. What cable are you using?
@@PittersComputersfor some reason it does not trigger no matter how many times I press the command/f2 keys. I have a generic mini display port to hdmi that I bought from a tech store
@@ShannonRosanna If you don't mind spending the money to try, I would use this adapter and cable. It's what I've used to go from HDMI to mini-DisplayPort on a 27" 2010 iMac. Only downside is it requires 1 free USB slot.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NW9XKGL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0752D33PJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
How much power does it use?
I am trying to use iMac 2013 with Catalina installed and use my MacBook m1 with a usb dock them to hdmi to thunderbolt and it’s doing nothing
Hello Pitter, thanks for the great info you've provided. My scenario is this - I have a late 2009 27" iMac (which has the mini display port). It's running macOS High Sierra 10.13.6. I also have a PC Laptop which I would like to use as a source. Just to confirm I took the Mini-Display to HDMI Adapter cable from VIVANKY (just as you did in your video) and connected the other end of the HDMI cable to the PC/Laptop. However, when I push [command] and [F2] on the iMac keyboard nothing happens, also in addition [Fn] doesn't help. The signal from the PC/Laptop is fine though the iMac doesn't switch to "Target Display Mode". Any hint?
Hmm interesting question. For the HDMI to Display Port adapter, are you using the BENFEI one I linked, or a different one? The only issue I can see there is if the USB part of it wasn't plugged in too, that would cause it to not work. Another possible, however unlikely problem, is that it doesn't like working on High Sierra. I had an issue with TDM on Catalina, and when I downgraded to 10.6 on the iMac it worked fine. I doubt this is the problem since it should work on High Sierra, but I wanted to mention it.
I@@PittersComputers I have a similar issue on iMac Mid 2011. both mac and pc have thunderbolt ports but F2 or fn+F2 don't work
because the 2010 is not display port, its MINI display port. The cable you have shown is the wrong one. @@PittersComputers
Umm, Mini Display Port on the iMac is exactly what I'm using in the video...@@ReturnOfTheJaded
Yes Mini display port. However, display port to HDMI is one directional. What no one seems to mention is that to go from HDMI to display, you need very specific adapters that also use the USB port to power the conversion. And its uni-direction then from HDMI to display port, and THEN you need a display port to mini-display port connected to that
@@PittersComputers
If your PC has a thunderbolt port, why can't you use a 2014 imac in target display?
Because as far I understand it, the drivers that allow it to work are only on certain Macs. Its a limitation Apple built into it.
Have a mid. 2010 27inc. IMac and 2023 mac mini2 . Can i use a HDMI cable from the Mac mini2 to the back of the Imac 27 -/mini display port ? And if so does it need to Unidirectional cabel?
If you want to use HDMI, this is what you'll want to use. It requires a special HDMI to DisplayPort adapter. As a note, the adapter requires a free USB port for extra power.
The adapter to connect to the HDMI port on the Mac Mini.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0752D33PJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
To connect the adapter to the iMac.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NW9XKGL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1