Using iMac 27" Retina display as a second monitor.

I would like to know if I can use my late 2015 iMac 27 inch Retina display as a second monitor for a 16 inch MacBook Pro M3 Max. If so, how would I do this.

Posted on Dec 25, 2023 9:54 AM

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Posted on Dec 25, 2023 3:17 PM

Neither of your computers support Target Display Mode. The iMac can't act as a Target Display, and the MBP does not support using ANY iMac as one. Your iMac is also too old to be an AirPlay Receiver for AirPlay to Mac. (AirPlay wouldn't let you take full advantage of 5K resolution even if your iMac was new enough to support it.)


There are third-party workarounds like Luna Display (Astropad) and Duet Display, but they are not as same as first-class hardware connections, and may have drawbacks and limitations.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 25, 2023 3:17 PM in response to TheResearchMan

Neither of your computers support Target Display Mode. The iMac can't act as a Target Display, and the MBP does not support using ANY iMac as one. Your iMac is also too old to be an AirPlay Receiver for AirPlay to Mac. (AirPlay wouldn't let you take full advantage of 5K resolution even if your iMac was new enough to support it.)


There are third-party workarounds like Luna Display (Astropad) and Duet Display, but they are not as same as first-class hardware connections, and may have drawbacks and limitations.

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Using iMac 27" Retina display as a second monitor.

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