ectini
Level 1
(4 points)
Q: Target Display Help
I have a mid 2011 21.5" imac that I want to use as the display for my late 2015 27" 5k retina imac. Both have el capitan. I connected with thunderbolt cable, pressed command + F2 at login screen on the 2011 imac and nothing happens. I have tried with 2 different brand new apple thunderbolt cables.
From here - Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode - Apple Support - I gathered that imac with retina can't be used as target display mode display. Am I interpreting this wrong and it's not even possible to use my 2011 as the display, because my 2015 has retina? If so, are there alternatives? Basically what I want to be able to do is drag stuff between screens while I'm working. I'm not tech savvy so any advice is appreciated, thanks! ^^
iMac with Retina 5K display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)
Duane
Level 10
(124,018 points)
Yes, you should be able to use your mid-2011 iMac as a display for your new iMac.
Have you tried the items suggested in that article:
- In Keyboard System Preferences, if the checkbox is enabled for Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard functions keys, the key combination changes to Command-Fn-F2.
- Make sure your Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable is connected to both computers.
- If you're currently logged in on the iMac you want to use as a display, try logging out to return to the login window. Then press Command-F2 again.
- Some older Apple keyboards and third-party keyboards might not allow Command-F2 to toggle display modes. If this happens, use the keyboard that came with your iMac to toggle Target Display Mode on and off.
