Trying to use extended desktop or dual displays, nothing is working!

Question

seib Author

Level 1

4 points

Trying to use extended desktop or dual displays, nothing is working!

I am so frustrated.

For reference...I have:

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015) OS X El Capitan Version 10.11.6

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports w/ Touchbar) macOS Sierra 10.12.6

I like using dual screens for work (an extended desktop? Basically I want to have control of what is on both devices by just using one of them) Apparently my iMac is not compatible with Target Mode display. So, at the suggestion of an Apple advisor 😠 I bought a Thunderbolt Cable (that can be used in my iMac) to use with a Thunderbolt to USB-C cord/adapter to plug into my MacBook Pro. When I plug them all in, nothing happens...I also do not have an "Arrangements" tab available to me on either device in the "Displays" part of my System Preferences.

HELP. Is there any way for me to do an extended display? Both of these devices are so relatively new I don't understand how it can't be possible....

Posted on Oct 15, 2017 6:21 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

Rudegar

Level 10

170,748 points

Oct 16, 2017 1:22 AM in response to seib

buy a monitor, if it has 2 hdmi input ports or display ports or dvi

then you can extend both the imac and MacBook pro to the monitor and switch between them by choosing input source on the monitor

Reply

Answer 2

Oct 16, 2017 12:54 AM in response to seib

Since your iMac is not compatible with Target Display Mode, no cable is going to make it work. Target Display Mode was only available for a few years, and new iMacs don't support it.

Reply