2018 MacBook Pro Target Display Mode Not Working

Same here! I am impatiently waiting for a response while my machine collects dust, and I only have 2 more days until I have to return it, I am quite surprised that they haven't responded at all to what seems to be a widespread issue..really hoping to hear something soon

I am also having this problem. I chatted with about 5 different Apple advisors and no fix did the trick. I was told to call back and report a diagnostic so that the engineers could look at the problem, so we’ll see what happens I guess. I’m really missing the ports from my older MacBook Pro.

Regarding the ports, do you use the laptop in one place most of the time or are you constantly on the move? There are a multitude of great docks out there. I use one that charges my laptop and connects an external mouse, keyboard and connects my laptop to the internet via Ethernet for faster speeds.

Richard

Yeah I actually have one that works great, it’s just the usb c to thunderbolt 2 adapter that doesn’t work for me. I just liked the simplicity of the ports being built into the computer when you’re carrying it around.

I'm having exactly the same problem as initially described. Target display mode worked perfectly on my 27" late 2013 iMac combined with an older MacBook Pro Late 2013 as well as with a MacBook Pro 2017. Just with the MacBook Pro 2018 I'm having that weird flickering issue that's makes it unusable. Would be a real bummer and reason to return the new MacBook Pro if Apple can't fix this via an update! More and more you get the impression that they no longer thoroughly test their products before releasing them... 😟

Same problem here 😟. Something of note: I have a belkin hub, and the idea popped in my head. What if I connect both my iMAC and my 2018 MacBook Pro to the hub, maybe Target Display Mode will work? I couldn't find the darn power cable to the hub, but after about an hour of searching I found it. The suspense was killing me, because I really need it and want it to work. Good news and bad news. The good news is, target display mode works just fine. The bad news, it only works for a few minutes before it starts to flicker. But, having both computers connected to the hub delays the flickering, just a tad bit. Interesting

Hello,

Yes I did. Called yesterday and was on the phone for over and hour with Support. Got it escalated and they said they would have to get back to me because it would require more research on their end. I told them about the hub, and they said that was good info. But, still no solution and it’s very frustrating.

I have the exact same problem. Brand new 2018 MPB (13" w/touchbar) and a mid-2011 iMac. I have been successfully using the iMac as a secondary monitor for a few years with my mid-2015 MBP (and still using since i can't use my new 2018 as I need a secondary monitor for work). Both running High Sierra 10.13.6. I get a black screen on the iMac and after few seconds the 2018 MBP screen starts freaking out turning on and off. I contacted Apple support right away and they confirmed everything in my setup was correct and should work (did all the restarts with them on the phone). The had no answers for me so I have been searching for a solution for two weeks (and like others I don't really have time as I need to be working. I'm self-employed and time is money. I also really need to sell the old laptop to help pay for the new one). Hoping for an answer soon.

I finally received a call back from a Genius at Apple who passed on a message from an Senior Engineer. He claims my 2012 iMac is incompatible with the new models. This makes absolutely no sense as it is 100% listed as compatible in the Target Display Mode info page on Apples site. The fact that there hasn't been an official statement by Apple yet is ridiculous..I am now outside the return window (my fault I suppose), but I don't believe that answer I just got. My iMac isn't the problem, there are too many of us with identical issues with the new 2018s...

*UPDATE* I connected my 2018 Macbook Pro and my iMac 2015 to a belkin hub. Target Display Mode has been working for an hour. Honestly, I'm afraid to try the direct connection between my MCP and my iMac because I don't want to mess anything up right now. But somehow, the central belkin hub is helping out with the glitching problem. The iMac has been working in Target Display Mode flawlessly (for now). I'll try the direct connection between my MCP and my iMac later in the day.

I've got exactly the same issue with a new MBp 2018 and a mid 2011 iMac. Both running high sierra, have tried different cables etc

Having reported to apple support and trying to get pushed to an engineer

I just got a 2018 MacBook Pro 13" and tried connecting to my late 2013 27" iMac and got the same results. At first I thought I had a faulty Apple TB2 to TB3 adapter. But it ran fine (although a little slow) when I used it as a Target Disk mode connection to a 2015 MacBook Pro 15". I also thought that is might be that my 13 is running high sierra while my iMac is only on sierra, but that doesn't seem the case, because target display works fine with my work 2015 MacBook pro 15" (and its running high sierra).

I'm hoping this is resolved with a software update. Hate the fact that I can't use my iMac as a monitor for my new toy.

Target Display Mode software , like target Disk Mode software, is the displaying computer's ROM.

it does not depend on any MacOS, and in fact should work if the displaying Mac does not even have a disk drive installed.

So 'what version is running on the displaying computer' is a complete distraction -- it has no bearing whatsoever.