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I have purchased a Thunderbolt cable and followed the instructions for setting up Target Display Mode. I have connected my 2009 iMac with my 2015 Mac Book Pro and pressed Command-F2 on the iMac but nothing happens. Can anyone tell me how to resolve this?
Thanks
iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Apple Support
What are the requirements for TDM?
iMac Model | Cable Supported | Port on Source Computer |
iMac (27-inch Late 2009) | Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort | Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt |
iMac (27-inch Mid 2010) | Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort | Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt |
iMac (Mid 2011) | Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt |
| iMac (Mid 2012 and later) | Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt |
Note that the iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) does not support Target Display Mode.
Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Apple Support
What are the requirements for TDM?
iMac Model | Cable Supported | Port on Source Computer |
iMac (27-inch Late 2009) | Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort | Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt |
iMac (27-inch Mid 2010) | Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort | Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt |
iMac (Mid 2011) | Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt |
| iMac (Mid 2012 and later) | Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt |
Note that the iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) does not support Target Display Mode.
Your iMac must be a late 2009 27" model and you must use a mini display port to mini display port cable.
Thanks - It seems the Apple store sold me the wrong cable. I bought a Thunderbolt cable but appear to need 'a mini display port to mini display port cable'.
Cheers
Thanks - It seems the Apple store sold me the wrong cable. I bought a Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable but appear to need 'a mini display port to mini display port cable' instead.
Cheers
Dear Mike (or anyone else out there who's 'listening')
I have purchased a mini display to mini display cable (only available online) but still can't get TDM to work. I am thinking that despite being told otherwise in the local Apple Store, my late 2009 21.5" (not 27-inch) iMac screen may be the problem and that this function is not possible. Therefore, do you think I should throw the iMac in the bin and find another way of getting a larger monitor connected to my 13" Mac Book Pro? How do I best do that I wonder?
All advice gratefully received.
MacHelen
As was noted above, the late 2009 iMac MUST be a 27" model. It's not possible to get a 21.5" imac from 2009 into TDM.
I wouldn't throw it away, sell it if you have no use for it and use the money to purchase a nice external display.
Thank you very much for responding. I am pretty annoyed with Apple Store staff who have messed me around on this matter with wrong advice from the very beginning. Lot of time and thinking and outlay on cable for no result. Such a pity not to be able to use the iMac. can you advise what external displays can I purchase that are compatible with Mac Book Pro 13 inch early 2015?
Cheers
Did you mention to the staff at the Apple Store that your iMac was a late 2009 21.5"? I ask because you didn't mention it in your first post, if you had we would have told you right away thst it wouldn't work. Not trying to be snarky but maybe there was a lack of communication.
I use a Dell display with my Macbook.
Yes, I made a point of asking before I purchased the mini display cable. Now I am overwhelmed by the thought of finding a monitor and cables that will work with my Macbook Pro. Thanks for replying again.
Cheers
Good evening everybody,
I have some problem using my old Imac 27 late 2009 in Target Display Mode.
In fact, when I connect my Macbook pro late 2013 and the Imac through mini display cable and use the function CMD+F2 nothing happen... The screen of the Imac turn to black for a few seconds but then back to normal without TDM...
In addition, I precise that both of my computers are using Yosemite operating system.
What should I do? Any idea?
Thank you for your response
Regards,
P
I got the same problem but from a new iMac to my late 2009 iMac, and I also went to an Apple Store for help, but as you were, I was mislead into getting a firewire cable and some sketchy instructions I jotted down in a paper. Apple does not sell MiniDisplay port to MiniDisplay port cable, neither online nor at the store, I don't know if they ever did, but I found one aftermarket MiniDisplay port to MiniDisplay port cable online which worked just fine.
Pivk wrote:
Good evening everybody,
I have some problem using my old Imac 27 late 2009 in Target Display Mode.
In fact, when I connect my Macbook pro late 2013 and the Imac through mini display cable and use the function CMD+F2 nothing happen... The screen of the Imac turn to black for a few seconds but then back to normal without TDM...
In addition, I precise that both of my computers are using Yosemite operating system.
What should I do? Any idea?
Thank you for your response
Regards,
P
It is best to create your own thread, particularly on one that has already been answered. I suspect you may be using a poor quality or wrong cable. Please use a Mini- Display port cable to connect your two machines together.
I have an early 2009 24 inch iMac. Is there anyway to use this as a monitor to my 2015 Retina Macbook pro?
wkallhoff wrote:
I have an early 2009 24 inch iMac. Is there anyway to use this as a monitor to my 2015 Retina Macbook pro?
No.
How do I use my 2009 iMac as a monitor for my new 2015 MacBook Pro?
