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.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

What do I need if I want to use my IMac as a monitor with my MacBook Air

I want to use my iMac as a monitor with my MacBook Air.

what do I need?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.4

Posted on Jul 7, 2021 7:46 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 7, 2021 8:18 AM

Hello, sehrish212.


Here are the rules for the (now discontinued) Target Display mode on iMac:

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


Target display mode was a feature that was available only with certain older iMac models.


Only the following older iMac models can be used as an external display when plugged into another older Mac model:

  • iMac models introduced in 2011, 2012, 2013, and mid 2014 using Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 cable.
  • 24-inch and 27-inch iMac models introduced in 2009 and 2010 using Mini DisplayPort cable.
  • The intended target iMac must be running macOS 10.13 High Sierra or earlier; it does not work with macOS 10.14 Mojave or later, or with Boot Camp and Windows.
  • Retina display iMacs won’t work as target displays.


  • In all cases the source Mac that you're connecting FROM must have been introduced in 2019 or earlier and have macOS 10.15 Catalina or earlier installed.
3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 7, 2021 8:18 AM in response to sehrish212

Hello, sehrish212.


Here are the rules for the (now discontinued) Target Display mode on iMac:

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


Target display mode was a feature that was available only with certain older iMac models.


Only the following older iMac models can be used as an external display when plugged into another older Mac model:

  • iMac models introduced in 2011, 2012, 2013, and mid 2014 using Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 cable.
  • 24-inch and 27-inch iMac models introduced in 2009 and 2010 using Mini DisplayPort cable.
  • The intended target iMac must be running macOS 10.13 High Sierra or earlier; it does not work with macOS 10.14 Mojave or later, or with Boot Camp and Windows.
  • Retina display iMacs won’t work as target displays.


  • In all cases the source Mac that you're connecting FROM must have been introduced in 2019 or earlier and have macOS 10.15 Catalina or earlier installed.

What do I need if I want to use my IMac as a monitor with my MacBook Air

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.