2020 MacBrook Pro (Intel) and using TDM on 2013 iMac

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2020 MacBrook Pro (Intel) and using TDM on 2013 iMac

I have 2 MacBook Pros, a 2017 Macbook which can use my old iMac as a second display connecting via an Apple Thunderbolt3 to Thuderbolt2 adapter + an Apple Thunderbolt2 cable. When I hit Ctrl-F2 on the iMac the screen toggles to and from a second display as expected. The iMac is running Catalina (10.15.7).

However, when using the same connection on my new 2020 Macbook the iMac does not respond to Ctrl-F2 and does not switch into Target Display Mode. On calling Apple they advised I downgrade the iMac to High Sierra - is this likely to fix the problem?

Thanks for any opinions + help on this.

MacBook Pro (2020 and later)

Posted on Apr 17, 2021 3:59 AM

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Answer 1

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Allan Jones

Level 9

78,044 points

Apr 17, 2021 9:28 AM in response to Paul-M-M

On calling Apple they advised I downgrade the iMac to High Sierra - is this likely to fix the problem?

a) Yes to the downgrade on the iMac to High Sierra, but "no" to "will that fix it"

The now fully-deprecated Target Display Mode required the iMac to be used as a monitor to run no higher Mac OS than 10.13.x High Sierra, but that does not change the fact the Apple removed the TDM capability from Macs in early 2020 using iMac from 2011 through Mid 2014.

and

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Answer 2

kaz-k

Level 9

51,102 points

Apr 17, 2021 5:14 AM in response to Paul-M-M

Hi,

2020 MacBook Pro doesn't compatible with Target Display Mode feature which Apple offer.

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2020 MacBrook Pro (Intel) and using TDM on 2013 iMac

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