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How do I connect a existing iMac Retina 5K, 27" to a Mac Mini?

I just purchased a new Mac Mini.


I have an existing iMac Retina 5K, 27-inch (Late 2015).


How do I connect the new Mac Mini to the existing iMac so that I can continue to use the Retina screen?


I've bought a few different cables but none are working (see attached)


Any help would be much appreciated.

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Jul 15, 2020 11:50 AM

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Question marked as Apple recommended

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but a Late 2015 iMac does not support being used as a Display.

For a list of models that can, see > Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support

Posted on Jul 15, 2020 12:23 PM

3 replies

Jul 15, 2020 2:45 PM in response to Frankkane

Target Display Mode is not an option. You can use Screen Sharing (e.g. Virtual Network Computing or VNC) between your Mac mini and the iMac. Your iMac keyboard and mouse will drive the mini screen, and you have drag/drop file transfer via that window.


On the iMac, drag and drop /System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/Screen Sharing.app to your Dock. On your Mac mini, in System Preferences : Sharing : [√ ] Screen Sharing. You may have to visit the Security & Privacy panel : Firewall : Firewall Options: and disable Block all incoming connections, and select Automatically allow built-in software to receive incoming connections. You should see Screen Sharing in the panel above with a green indicator. Don't forget to reselect Block all incoming connections when you are in an unsecure Wi-Fi (e.g. public) environment to block access to VNC.


Back on the iMac, click the Screen Sharing icon in your Dock and enter the hostname of the Mac mini as hostname.local, where hostname is the name you gave your Mac mini. Only due this after your Mac mini has been powered on long enough to boot, or the Screen Sharing application will give up on you.

How do I connect a existing iMac Retina 5K, 27" to a Mac Mini?

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