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Connecting a mac mini to an old (2009) iMac: Command F2 did not work. What now?

Bought a new mac mini, to use with my old iMac (2009) running High Sierra 10.13.6 as a display. Connected the mac mini with a Thunderbolt (mac mini) and Mini Display Port cable (iMac 2009). Hit command+F2 and nothing happens.

Read the article suggesting to use command+fn+F2 and still nothing happens. Mac mini is running (light on). Connected mac mini to a monitor via the HDMI port and monitor says "no video signal".

Is the mac mini defective?

iMac, macOS 10.13

Posted on Oct 29, 2021 7:11 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 29, 2021 7:14 PM

Unfortunately, that setup is not supported by Apple. The iMac cannot be used as a monitor for any of the newest Macs and target display mode is no longer a feature of macOS.


As Apple states them, here are the rules for target display mode on iMac:

click> https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592


Per the link above:

• Make sure that your target iMac is using macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 or earlier. 

• The source Mac must have been introduced in 2019 or earlier and have macOS Catalina or earlier installed.

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4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 29, 2021 7:14 PM in response to Blau blau

Unfortunately, that setup is not supported by Apple. The iMac cannot be used as a monitor for any of the newest Macs and target display mode is no longer a feature of macOS.


As Apple states them, here are the rules for target display mode on iMac:

click> https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592


Per the link above:

• Make sure that your target iMac is using macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 or earlier. 

• The source Mac must have been introduced in 2019 or earlier and have macOS Catalina or earlier installed.

Oct 29, 2021 10:04 PM in response to Blau blau

There are reports of the 2009 24" and 27" iMacs working in target Display Mode with any Mac, including those that Apple says won't work. Apparently this is because the those iMacs behave exactly as a Mini DisplayPort display, so the other Mac doesn't have to know about Target Display Mode. This won't work with newer iMacs because they use Thunderbolt, which requires Target Display Mode support on the other Mac.


You will need a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort cable.

mophie USB-C Cable with Mini DisplayPort Connector - Apple

It won't work with a Thunderbolt cable or adapter, even if the plugs fit.

Connecting a mac mini to an old (2009) iMac: Command F2 did not work. What now?

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