How to use old retina display iMac (late 2014) as a secondary monitor (target display won't work)

Question

How to use old retina display iMac (late 2014) as a secondary monitor (target display won't work)

Hi there,

I bought a new Mac and want to use my old Mac (late 2014 27 inch Retina 5K, 16 GB RAM) as a secondary display. I bought an adapter cable and tried the "Command-F2" as suggested. It didn't work. I discovered this is because my old Mac is too *new*.

So if target display mode will NOT work, how do I use my old computer as a monitor?

Many thanks in advance!

iMac with Retina 5K display, macOS 10.14

Posted on Apr 29, 2020 9:24 PM

Reply

Answer 1

dialabrain

Level 10

126,779 points

Apr 30, 2020 9:12 AM in response to rkaufmann87

rkaufmann87 wrote:

Retina displays were not available until the 2015 models. Please look in About this Mac to determine what you own. There is no such model as a "late 2014."

That is not the case. There was a 27" 5K Retina iMac released Oct 2014. It's listed in Mactracker, Everymac and there are numerous reviews still online.

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

126,779 points

Apr 30, 2020 12:02 AM in response to Plasmodium2008

There is a device called Luna Display. How well It works I can't say.

https://lunadisplay.com/

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,838 points

Apr 29, 2020 9:46 PM in response to Plasmodium2008

If it is a 2014 as you say it is not a Retina display. If it is a Retina display it will not work. So what is it?

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Answer 4

Apr 29, 2020 9:50 PM in response to rkaufmann87

It's late 2014, and is most definitely Retina display.

I know target display won't work, just wondering if there is another way?

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Answer 5

Apr 29, 2020 9:56 PM in response to rkaufmann87

It is definitely a retina display (late 2014). I know target display won't work, I'm just wondering if there is another way.

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Answer 6

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,838 points

Apr 30, 2020 6:54 AM in response to Plasmodium2008

Retina displays were not available until the 2015 models. Please look in About this Mac to determine what you own. There is no such model as a "late 2014."

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