Want to discover a approach to use iMac as a monitor? While Apple’s goal show mode is proscribed to 2009 to 2014 iMacs, luckily, there are a number of different choices to make use of that good huge display in your iMac as a monitor.
Target show mode is an Apple answer to use iMac as a monitor with one other Mac in a wired setup. It was a very talked-about function for years, however when Apple launched its Retina iMacs beginning in late 2014, assist was dropped.
The excellent news is even in case you don’t have an 8-year-old+ iMac that helps goal show mode, you possibly can nonetheless use iMac as a monitor with a number of totally different choices. Let’s dig into your 5 choices…
Use iMac as monitor: 5 options
Luna Display or Duet Display
To get the identical performance that concentrate on show mode presents with Mac to Mac (and even get PC to Mac and iPad to Mac) assist, Luna Display and Duet Display are two of the highest choices.
- Luna Display does require a $119 Luna Display USB-C dongle however has no subscription price.
- Duet Display doesn’t require any {hardware} however goes from $25/yr for Duet Air (to get Mac to Mac, PC to Mac, and iPad to Mac assist). Duet Display presents a free trial.
We’ve used each right here at 9to5Mac and have discovered them to be nice merchandise that see common updates.
Use iMac as a monitor with Sidecar
This after all doesn’t provide Mac to Mac assist, however if you would like to use a newer iMac as a monitor with an iPad, Sidecar is a nice free answer. And it really works wired or wirelessly.
- On macOS Monterey or Ventura, click on Control Center (two capsule icon) within the Menu Bar > Screen Mirroring > select your iPad.
- Once related, below System Preferences/Settings you possibly can select whether or not the Mac or iPad is the first show
Sidecar is constructed into Mac and iPad since macOS Catalina and iPadOS 13. If you haven’t tried Sidecar earlier than, take a look at our full information right here:
- macOS: How to flip your iPad into a second show with Sidecar
AirPlay to Mac
This function doesn’t work if you would like to prolong your iMac or iPad desktop area, however you possibly can mirror from iPhone, iPad, or iPod contact immediately to a newer iMac or some other suitable Mac.
However, this does require a newer Mac. Learn extra in our full information:
Pair iMac with an exterior monitor
This might sound apparent however one other alternative is to pair your iMac with an exterior monitor and select which one you need to be the first show and secondary show.
For a nearer take a look at a number of the finest displays in the marketplace, take a look at our guides:
- Best USB-C displays for Mac
- Best Thunderbolt displays for Mac
And one inexpensive 32-inch 4K monitor that matches the M1 iMac aesthetic is Samsung’s M8 Smart Monitor.
Target show mode
If you occur to have an outdated iMac, you might have the ability to use goal show mode however it should additionally want to be working macOS High Sierra or earlier – similar for the secondary Mac. Here’s what you’ll want to use iMac as monitor with the unique answer.
Requirements per Apple for 2011-mid 2014 iMacs:
Requirements for 2009-2010 fashions to use iMac as monitor:
- iMac used as a show should have macOS High Sierra or earlier put in.
- The different Mac that you simply’re connecting it to should have been launched in 2019 or earlier and have macOS Catalina or earlier put in.
- The cable connecting the 2 Mac computer systems have to be a Mini DisplayPort cable.
If you have got two Macs that meet these necessities, Apple says:
- Make positive that your iMac is on.
- Make positive that the opposite Mac is began up and logged in to a macOS person account.
- Connect the 2 computer systems utilizing the suitable Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable.
You can use multiple iMac as a show, if every iMac is utilizing a Thunderbolt cable to join immediately to a Thunderbolt port on the different Mac (not the opposite iMac). - Press Command-F2 on the keyboard of the iMac. You ought to now see the desktop of the opposite Mac.
- To exit goal show mode, press Command-F2 once more. Or disconnect the cable, or restart both Mac.
Thanks for studying our information on how to use iMac as a monitor!
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- Stage Manager on Mac: Hands-on with the brand new multitasking UI in macOS Ventura [Video]
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