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Target Display Mode

I've been trying to follow the Target Display Mode directions for using my mid-2011 27" iMac, running OS High Sierra 10.13.6, as a display for my 2017 13" MacBook Air, connecting them with a Thunderbolt cable. I can't get Target Display Mode to work using these directions, including all the "other solutions." The best I can get is the desktop picture from my other Mac, but none of the applications will show. Any ideas?

iMac 27″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Apr 16, 2021 11:03 PM

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Posted on Apr 16, 2021 11:13 PM

It sounds like you actually got it working...but didn't configure things how you need.


In System Preferences open the Mission Control icon and check the "Displays have separate spaces". You probably have that on (the default) and it sounds like you probably want it off.


You can also check the following to turn on or off extended vs mirrored displays, and to change your Arrangement setting:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202351

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 16, 2021 11:13 PM in response to drsteve1

It sounds like you actually got it working...but didn't configure things how you need.


In System Preferences open the Mission Control icon and check the "Displays have separate spaces". You probably have that on (the default) and it sounds like you probably want it off.


You can also check the following to turn on or off extended vs mirrored displays, and to change your Arrangement setting:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202351

Apr 17, 2021 10:20 PM in response to rcosta887

Well, I've gone cross-eyed trying this. When you say to uncheck "Displays have separate spaces," would that be on my MacBook Air or on the iMac that I want to use for the display of the MacBook Air? or both? And when I tried to change my Arrangement setting in Displays, neither my MacBook Air nor my iMac has an Arrangement tab. Any ideas now?

Target Display Mode

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