iMac target mode.

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Level 1

8 points

iMac target mode.

Hi, I have a late 2013 iMac with High Sierra and whatever I do I cant get it to work in Target mode, whether I connect it to another iMac or a windows machine. Ive tried all of the options above. Has anyone else any ideas anyone?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jun 14, 2020 8:29 AM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

239,363 points

Jun 14, 2020 9:40 AM in response to TheYesRunner

What cable are you using?

You can connect any of these older iMac models to another Mac from 2019 or earlier for use as an external display. Learn how to identify your iMac model.

27-inch iMac models introduced in 2009 and 2010: Use a Mini DisplayPort cable to connect your iMac to a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port on the other Mac.
All iMac models introduced in 2011, 2012, 2013, and mid 2014: Use a Thunderbolt cable to connect your iMac to a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port on the other Mac. If the other Mac uses Thunderbolt 3, you can use the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter with your cable.

Target display mode requires macOS High Sierra or earlier on the iMac used as the external display. It does not work with macOS Mojave or later.

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,688 points

Jun 14, 2020 10:01 AM in response to TheYesRunner

I hope your iMac is a late 2009 27" or 2010 27" iMac otherwise it will never work with your PC. Those are the only two models that supported PCs. IMHO you would be wiser to buy an external display to work with the PC, certainly less hassle. iMacs are computers, they are not designed to be external displays for other devices.

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Answer 3

TheYesRunner Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 14, 2020 9:50 AM in response to BDAqua

Thank you. Having read that I can connect my iMac to a Windows-based machine, I purchased the following. My present 'working-from-home' situation require me to work on both In both Mac and Windows environments, both with two screens. I thought this may help – or have I not got the correct 'thing'? I'm running High Sierra.

UGREEN Mini Displayport to Displayport Cable, Mini DP Thunderbolt 2 to DP Male to Male Cable Gold-Plated Cord Audio and Video Cable Support 4K@60Hz (2M, Black)

(from Amazon)

Thanks again.

Pete

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Answer 4

TheYesRunner Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 14, 2020 1:07 PM in response to BDAqua

Thank you all very much, I had clearly missed a few critical facts when I did my research. I have a separate monitor for the PC but was trying to save having to set up four monitors (two for the Mac and two for the PC) during this 'working at home' era where space is of a premium.

Thanks again all. Next time I'll ask before I assume.

Best regards

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