Use iMac screen for 2020 M1 Mac mini?

Soundboutique, You can use Luna Display or Duet display to connect two macs and share a display. I'm currently using Duet Display to have a dual display 2020 iMac and a 2012 iMac. Luna Display is made by the same people that do Astropad.

I hope this helps.

Paul

I’ve got an Iogeni HDMI to USB3 bus I used for my cameras’ HDMI output and inputting to my iMac’s USB input for live streaming. Works great and it turns out also works with my Mac M1 Mini’s HDMI out. The Mac Mini recognizes the Iogeni as a second display and I run the app Quick Camera on the iMac to go full screen with input video. Now able to work across the two screens with the Mac Miini when editing video in Final Cut Pro X.

This approach works and there are cheaper HDMI/USB3 devices are out there.

Screen sharing is the way to go, you’ll need to set the Mac mini up first and log it in via an external tv - I did this through HDMI. Allow screen sharing in system preferences, then goto Network and you will be able to see all of the devices, select Mac mini and share screen, enter username and password for Mac mini and then once it’s on your iMac screen remove the tv from the Mac mini, you can then get full screen - you can also select view and change to enhanced view for the best screen quality.

Target Display Mode in order to work must be supported on both devices. 2020 Mac have zero support for Target Display Mode so even though the older Mac may work, it would need an earlier Mac to work with it. By the way, you can find decent external displays for $130 to $150, if you want something really elegant then yes you would pay more for the feature set you are looking for. If you have a Costco in your area check Costco.com or just go to your local Costco warehouse, that's just one suggestion there are many resellers that sell external displays in the price range I mentioned.

I'm using my Iogeni Hdmi to usb 3 coverter to hook my M1 Mac mini up to my late 2013 iMac. The signal from the Mac mini then comes in looking a usb camera to the iMac and I use an app called Quick Camera to view the Mac mini screen on the iMac. I'm using the iMac in a two screen setup but I'm pretty sure you could use the iMac as your primary display, I should try that. I had this device anyway for other purposes but I think there are lower cost alternatives out there.

This solution provides full use of the iMac since the Mac mini is just another window on it. Here's a link to the device https://inogeni.com/product/4k-to-usb-3

No 2020 Macs support Target Display Mode, either as the source or the target computer.

Sysreqs here, but note even the support article is archived:

Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support

Apple started the deprecation of TDM six years ago when the last iMac that could serve as an external monitor was the Mid 2014 model, and finished it off for good early in 2020. It's dead.

I have had a similar setup, a MacBook pro 2016 and 2011 iMac. I just received the M1 Mac Mini, and like you can confirm that it will definitely not work with TDM.

Alternatively I am using the built in VNC Screen Sharing with the same thunderbolt cables and adapter as a local network between the M1 Mini and iMac (very fast) and a cheap 4k headless HDMI adapter from amazon with really great results. Don't get me wrong it is not quite the same but it is very usable as a stop gap until my new monitor arrives. I'll be using my iMac as a second display after that!

Yes I went to system preferences, sharing, allow screen sharing, then went to Network, selected Mac mini, press screen sharing, enter username and password for your MacMini and hey presto, I can see my Mac mini screen on my 2013 iMac. It can do full screen, split screen or whatever sized window you like. Oh one other thing - I had to use an external tv connected through HDMI to make sure the Mac mini was signed in, once you remove the HDMI cable you get full screen capability as opposed to a small box in the middle of the screen. Lastly, this will only work if you have WiFi running.

I am not using target display mode because you can’t. I’m using a device I bought to live stream from my good video camera through its HDMI to my iMac The Iogeni HDMI to USB 3. There are less expensive options out there but I needed it ASAP early in the pandemic. I’m now using it to go to a 2013 imac from an m1 Mac mini. Also hooked up an Ethernet cable between the two machines so I can easily get at the iMacs hard drive.

SomeoneHasToSayIt wrote:

Bottom line on at least my 2013 iMac, it can be used for a 2nd display for a 2019 MacBook Pro, but not from a Mac mini. Why?

"You can connect any of these older iMac models to another Mac from 2019 or earlier for use as an external display"

Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support

Unfortunately target display mode is no longer a thing. All new Macs will no longer be able to use it.

With a cheap headless hdmi adapter I am now using my 2011 iMac via screen sharing as a second screen at 1440p (see my other posts). My main screen now is a new 4k LG monitor.

Sorry won't work, Target Display Mode was discontinued 6 years ago. I your MM needs a monitor or a second monitor (assuming you already have one) then you need to buy one. Please remember your iMac is a computer, it was never designed to be an external display for another device. There may be some third party solutions you can try however Target Display Mode is not one of them.

Ahh.....so if you want to use Big Sur (or future OS versions) it's not possible regardless. THANK YOU! Def. gonna have to buy a monitor then. So now I just have to wait for the bluetooth issues with the M1 to get resolved.

In general Apple things are the opposite of future proof! . I like them anyway. I am Using an inexpensive Samsung 32" TV for my MacMini M-1 monitor. It does nice 1K You can purchase adapters to drive up to 2 Good screens from a mini-M-1. OWC.com has docks that Have USB and HDMI ports that are more Future proof. You can use Non Apple monitors (much less $) that are quite good.

The now-archived tech article on TDM is not clearly presented. This is the information on hardware (less cabling info) rearranged for us normal people, and with newer info that won't get added to an archived article:

VIDEO SOURCE COMPUTER (the one sending the video signal to an external monitor):

• • A 2019 or older Intel Mac running macOS 10.15 Catalina or older.
  • M1 Macs and Big Sur mac OS11 are not supported.

TARGET COMPUTER (the one to be an external monitor):

• • An iMac 27-inch (Late 2009 and Mid 2010), or any iMac from Mid 2011 to Mid 2014.
  • The target computer can run no higher macOS than OS 10.13.X High Sierra