Using a MacBook Air as a second monitor

Question

Using a MacBook Air as a second monitor

I would like to connect my older MacBook Air as a second monitor using a Thunderbolt cable.

I can use 'screen sharing' via WiFi but that is not what I am looking for.

I suspect my Thunderbolt Bridge is not configured properly: the MacBook Air shows a "Connected" status (using DHCP with manual address) while the MacBook Pro also displays a green light however the Status says "Some connected".

The bottomline is that I do not have the option to share my screen (no additional "Arrangement" tab in "Displays").

How can this be fixed ? Do I need another piece of software ?

Thanks in advance

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch,Early 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)

Posted on Oct 8, 2016 11:41 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Gordon89s

Level 1

13 points

Nov 5, 2017 3:36 PM in response to rose_10

Why is this not available for other Macs besides iMac? I have two high end Macbook Pros and would like to connect them to use two screens at the same time... Are these really hardware limitations?

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Answer 2

AppleJoe

Community Manager

Oct 10, 2016 10:27 AM in response to brunofromcapetown

Hello brunofromcapetown,

If you would like to use your MacBook Air as a second display using a Thunderbolt cable, try using Target Display Mode as described here:

OS X El Capitan: Use another Mac as a display

Have a great day!

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Answer 3

Oct 10, 2016 11:56 AM in response to AppleJoe

Thanks Joe, but it doesn't work. I believe Apple has removed the Target Display feature in June this year. Can you maybe confirm?

Could there then be a workaround somehow ?

Bruno

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Answer 4

rose_10

Community Specialist

Oct 10, 2016 2:45 PM in response to brunofromcapetown

Hi brunofromcapetown,

My apologies. You need to have an iMac as one of the computers to use Target Display Mode.

Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode

You need the following to use Target Display Mode:

A Mac notebook or desktop with a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port

A Thunderbolt cable or a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable

A supported iMac with OS X v10.6.1 or later.

The best alternative I can suggest is to use your television as an external display for your MacBook Air. You can connect it directly using cables/adapters. Or, if you purchase an Apple TV 4, you can stream your content wirelessly to your TV using a feature called AirPlay. Here is some information regarding these options:
OS X El Capitan: Use your TV as a display

Apple TV (4th generation)

Use AirPlay to display video from your Mac on an HDTV

Mirror your display or extend your desktop

You can also use AirPlay to mirror or extend everything on your Mac display. The display must be connected and awake.

Click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar, then choose your Apple TV under "Connect To AirPlay Display." The icon turns blue when your Mac is using an AirPlay display.

From the same AirPlay menu, choose either Extended Desktop or one of the mirroring options under "Use AirPlay Display To."

To stop using your Apple TV as an AirPlay display, choose Disconnect AirPlay Display from the AirPlay menu. Or just press the Menu button on the Apple TV remote.

Take care.

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Answer 5

Oct 11, 2016 3:13 AM in response to rose_10

Thanks Sarah

I have no intention to purchase an Apple TV (I never watch TV...).

I bought the Thunderbolt cable on the assumption that (from I could find on various Mac support forums and site) I could in some way use my older MacBook Air as a second monitor.

I am not familiar with AirPlay or any other similar feature from Apple or third-party developers, and I'd still very much like to use what I already have. I am confident there must be a solution to this.

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