Mac Dual Screens
Hi, I have a MacBook Pro and an iMac. I was wondering how to make them dual monitors so I can use them for work. Which cords would I need for them to work simultaneously?
MacBook Pro (2020 and later)
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ryane77
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Community Specialist
Hello Jwormmm,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities!
If we understand your post correctly, you want to know how to make dual monitors using your MacBook Pro and an iMac. We'd like to help!
"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
To use any of these iMac models as an external display:
- The iMac used as a display must have macOS High Sierra or earlier installed.
- The other Mac that you're connecting it to must have been introduced in 2019 or earlier and have macOS Catalina or earlier installed.
- The cable connecting the two Mac computers must be a Thunderbolt
or Thunderbolt 2 cable.
24-inch and 27-inch iMac models introduced in 2009 and 2010
To use any of these iMac models as an external display:
- The iMac used as a display must have macOS High Sierra or earlier installed.
- The other Mac that you're connecting it to must have been introduced in 2019 or earlier and have macOS Catalina or earlier installed.
- The cable connecting the two Mac computers must be a Mini DisplayPort
cable.
How to use target display mode
- Make sure that your iMac is started up and meets the system requirements above.
- Make sure that the other Mac is started up and logged in to a macOS user account.
- Connect the two computers using the appropriate Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable.
- You can use more than one iMac as a display, if each iMac is using a Thunderbolt cable to connect directly to a Thunderbolt port on the other Mac (not the other iMac).
- Press Command-F2 on the keyboard of the iMac. You should now see the desktop of the other Mac.
- To exit target display mode, press Command-F2 again. Or disconnect the cable, or restart either Mac.
Apps that were open on your iMac when entering target display mode remain open in target display mode. For example, if you begin playing music on your iMac and then enter target display mode, the music doesn't pause on your iMac.
The other Mac can't use the iMac computer's built-in camera or ports. To use external devices with your other Mac, connect them directly to the other Mac, not to your iMac."
More information can be found here: Use your iMac as a display with target display mode
Let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Take care!