How to Use Your iMac as a Monitor: Everything You Need to Know

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If you’re wondering whether you can use your iMac as a monitor — yes, you can, under a specific condition.

To use iMac as a monitor, you need a feature called Target Display Mode, and it’s only available on certain iMacs from 2009 to 2014. Your iMac must also be running macOS High Sierra or earlier. Newer iMacs running macOS Catalina or later do not support this feature. Depending on your iMac model, you’ll need a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort cable to connect with it.

What you’ll need to use your iMac as a display

  1. An iMac that meets the models and system requirements above.

  2. A Mac logged in to a macOS user account.

  3. A Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable to connect both computers.

Keyboard requirements

To activate TDM, you’ll need an Apple keyboard. Press Command (⌘) + F2 on the iMac’s keyboard after both devices are powered on and connected.

If you’re using an Apple keyboard with function keys set to standard mode, you may need to press Command + Fn + F2 instead.

If target display mode doesn’t work

If your iMac isn’t displaying the screen from your other device, try restarting your Mac and iMac. Unplug the Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort cable from the other Mac, then plug it back in. Press Command-F2 on the iMac and try again.

Still not working? Try these:

  • If you’re already logged in on the iMac, log out to return to the login screen. Then press Command + F2 again.

  • Go to System Preferences > Keyboard on the iMac. If the setting “Use F1, F2, etc. as standard function keys” is enabled, you’ll need to press Command + Fn + F2 instead.

  • Double-check your macOS version. If you’re using a newer version, this feature is no longer supported.

  • This feature does not work with Windows (via Boot Camp) or when using Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3) as the source.

About The Tekk Group

The Tekk Group is a global leader in technology rentals for events all over the world. We specialize in iMac rentals, MacBook rentals, iPad rentals, laptop rentals, phone rentals, and more. Need to rent an iMac or MacBook for an event or temporary setup? We offer fast delivery, expert support, and optional pre-configuration.