Why won't this thunderbolt cable connect my 2 macs so I can screen share?

Question

Why won't this thunderbolt cable connect my 2 macs so I can screen share?

I just purchased a thunderbolt cable expecting to be able to plug it in to both of my macs and be able to screen share. Ex being one screen would have safari while the other iTunes and be able to go back and forth. Nothing comes up and there is no option in the display settings. Also nothing happens when I select Command-f2 to open up TDM. I have a 2009 macbook and a 2012 desktop. I really can't figure out why they just won't connect. Please help. I really hope I didn't just waste my money. Thanks.

Posted on May 16, 2015 5:12 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

May 16, 2015 5:21 PM in response to itscamcollins

Screen sharing is not done over Thunderbolt cable. Target Display Mode uses a Thunderbolt cable to connect the iMac to the MacBook in order to display the MBP's screen on the iMac's display. This only goes in one direction, not both.

How to use your Mac notebook computer in closed-clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display

Target Display Mode- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

iMac- How to use your iMac as a Target Display Mode display

Target Display Mode 2011 & Later iMacs

Target Display Mode And Thunderbolt

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Answer 2

May 16, 2015 5:23 PM in response to Kappy

Golly. Well then. What do I have to do to be able to enable this for my computers? Thanks for the reply.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

May 16, 2015 5:30 PM in response to itscamcollins

I don't know exactly what it is you want to do. If you want two large displays, then attach a discrete monitor to the MBP and use it in clamshell mode. If you simply want to switch easily from one screen to another then you can use Mission Control.

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Answer 4

May 16, 2015 5:36 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks for the reply. I have my macbook to the left of my desktop. All I want to do is be able to drag a window from my desktop to my macbook... Then be able to drag it back. All acting as a giant screen with just extra workspace. Can I do this in mission control? If so how? And i don't have any other monitors. Just these 2..

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

May 16, 2015 11:00 PM in response to itscamcollins

I don't think so. Your MBP cannot act as an extra display for the iMac. If there is a way to accomplish it, then I'm not sufficiently familiar with display sharing to tell you how it might be accomplished.

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Answer 6

May 19, 2015 4:29 PM in response to itscamcollins

Thank you for the responce. Ill have to start another thread. Have a good one!

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