Using Mid-2011 iMac as monitor for 2020 MacBook Pro

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Level 1

8 points

Using Mid-2011 iMac as monitor for 2020 MacBook Pro

I'm wanting to use my Mid-2011 iMac monitor for my 2020 MacBook Pro. I purchased a Thunderbolt 2 cable plus adapter so my iMac is connected to my MacBook Pro but in spite of following all the steps listed in this link https://applerepairstation.co.uk/Technical%20Desk/use-your-imac-as-a-display-with-target-display-mode/ Command-F2 does not switch the iMac to target display mode. iMac is on macOS High Sierra 10.13.6, MacBook Pro is on Catalina 10.15.6. I'm using a Apple keyboard on the iMac.

Recommendations for next steps??

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Sep 22, 2020 2:13 PM

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Answer 1

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BDAqua

Level 10

240,125 points

Sep 22, 2020 2:56 PM in response to dennisbatey

According to Apple 2020 Macs don't work...

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

dennisbatey Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 22, 2020 3:36 PM in response to BDAqua

Not what I wanted to hear but at least I won't keep trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong and I can return the overpriced Apple Thunderbolt 2 cable ($29) and Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter ($44).

Thanks for the prompt & helpful response.

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

240,125 points

Sep 22, 2020 4:01 PM in response to dennisbatey

Yeah, sad case on Apple's & the environment's cases, take care my friend.

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Using Mid-2011 iMac as monitor for 2020 MacBook Pro

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