You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!
When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.
When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.
I am thinking about getting a new M1 Mac Mini to replace an older 2013 iMac. I also have a 2 27 inch Thunderbolt display. My question is can I use both the Thunderbolt displays with the following setup:
Mac Mini -> Apple Thunderbolt 3 to 2 Adapter -> Thunderbolt Display 1 -> Thunderbolt Display 2
So basically daisy chain the Thunderbolt displays by plugging 1 into the other. Nothing I read says I cannot do this but want to double check.
I ended up cancelling my order as a result of this. Will make due until they come up with M1X or something that is capable of plug and play. I wonder if a software update could fix, dont see why 2 TB displays cant work when 1 can go up to 6K.
In the same boat, I've been using 2 Thunderbolt displays with my MacBook pros for several years. Had no idea that the M1 Mini wouldn't do the same thing. Now to figure out how to get something to run off the HDMI port now I guess?
Looks like I've just discovered the same problem, although maybe not. I have a late 2013 iMac 21" that I hoped to use as a second display for my new M1 Mac mini. Main display is a Dell monitor connected via HDMI, all works fine. The iMac is connected via the Thunderbolt 2 to 2 adapter and a Thunderbolt 2 cable, both Apple proprietary items. I've downgraded the iMac to High Sierra as per Apple instructions to support Target Display mode but it' no go, the Thunderbolt Bridge shows the interfaces are connected but doesn't identify them except as IP addresses; System Preferences Display on the Mini only shows the Dell monitor. Is this simply not going to work?
Keybasher wrote:
Looks like I've just discovered the same problem, although maybe not. I have a late 2013 iMac 21" that I hoped to use as a second display for my new M1 Mac mini. Main display is a Dell monitor connected via HDMI, all works fine. The iMac is connected via the Thunderbolt 2 to 2 adapter and a Thunderbolt 2 cable, both Apple proprietary items. I've downgraded the iMac to High Sierra as per Apple instructions to support Target Display mode but it' no go, the Thunderbolt Bridge shows the interfaces are connected but doesn't identify them except as IP addresses; System Preferences Display on the Mini only shows the Dell monitor. Is this simply not going to work?
No 2020 Mac can connect to an iMac setup for Target Display Mode.
The hardware all 2020 Macs is not compatible with the function.
So as of now you CANT do this. Ive been racking my brain for a couple days now. And Apple support has nothing to say but "sorry for the confusion however we don't have a solution at this time".
Ive always ran Apple 27 Display connected to another Apple 27 Display then into either an iMac, MBP, or Mini. However with the new generation it says it only supports ONE display in Thunderbolt 3, and ONE display in HDMI.
I have tried HDMI into the apple recommended Belkin HDMI 4k -> Thunderbolt then connected that into the monitor and nothing.. such a shame. Going to end up returning the M1 Mac mini and possibly getting the 2018 intel based model.
That’s what I did. I actually had placed an order for M1 ahead of starting this thread and ended up cancelling and going with refurb 2018 which works great for this setup. Will explore apple silicon maybe once this issue is resolved.
my ticket has been escalated to engineering to see if they have a work around. But it’s completely absurd that you can’t use two thunderbolt displays on the new M1. We have tried...
-Both old and new Apple supported belkin HDMI - Lighting converters
-Also while doing this connecting the monitor into thunderbolt 3 port via Apple lighting 2-3 converter
there seems to be no work around so far the tech spec only indicates the HDMI out can only convert DVI or straight connection. This is truly a horrible situation, my 2014 iMac bridges perfectly off of the host computer.
Don't be overly impressed by "6 Monitors on an M1 Mac" - he just bought a DisplayLine
k (Pluggable) external adapter. It has a built-in graphics card. So, technically you *can* do this - but it's only when you buy a $70 external graphics (card) adapter.
As a suggestion, consider selling your Thunderbolt 27" display and getting a 4K HDMI display instead. The MacMini M1 is 3x faster than the Intel products. Seems a bit like the tail wagging the dog to return a high performing Mac just because your low-performing monitor doesn't work with it.
Yes, one 27 inch Thunderbolt Display works with the Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 apple adapter ($44 at Best Buy).
After spending $120 on adapters, I still cannot get a 2nd Thunderbolt Display to work on the HDMI port.
Yes it will work, just one. The new M1 can only display two monitors at once. One being HDMI, and the other one thunderbolt 3. So you’ll have to get the adaptor. And if you want an extra monitor you’ll have to go HDMI but it can’t be another thunderbolt monitor since they require more information other than a video signal to turn on.
Same here: (2) 27: TB Displays. One Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter. Using it now. But....Second Thunderbolt. Scoured for HDMI to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. No can find.
Previous 2012 Mac with (2) Thunderbolts was OK with daisy chaining. Now....no go. Have you found a fix?
This is me: 2020 Mac Mini M1. Thunderbolt daisy-chained to second Thunderbolt. Doesn't work.
Worked fine for years with 2012 Mac mini and two daisy-chained Thunderbolts...but then it didn't. Got new M1, still doesn't work.
This is so not cool. Own 2 perfectly fine Thunderbolt monitors and can only use one. M1 is going back to BB tomorrow.
Looks like there is hope for us with working thunderbolt 2 displays.
This device is saying it would allow two monitors to be powered through thunderbolt 4 so we would just need 2 TB2 to TB3 adapters.
The adapter is supposed to take you from Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 (the C). It didn't work well for me.
I downgraded from the M1 to a 2018 Mac Mini. It supports Thunderbolt 2....the adapter did the trick here.
From a position of ignorance, it appears that the M1 is not compatible with the Thunderbolt, adapter or not. Really wanted the zippy M1 to drive (2) Thunderbolt monitors but, alas, it is not to be.
M1 Mac Mini and Thunderbolt Display
