Seems like any Thunderbolt cable should work?Is it the adapter that's getting in the way? Question: Q: Target Display Mode not working 2019 iMac to 2013 iMac I just brought home a brand new 2019 iMac, and I'm trying to use my Late 2013 iMac as a second monitor.
But there are many caveats, so read on to find out if Target Display Mode is right for you. I'm connecting a 2019 iMac to a 2013 iMac, which is supported. That solution should work for all iMacs from 2009 to late 2012 as well. Is the Apple-branded cable required? Yes, this option is described in the Apple Support document HT204592 "Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode" for Macs that have Thunderbolt 3 ports that want to use an iMac as a display. Go to officeworks, get a thunderbolt 3 to Mini DisplayPort port adaptor for about $30 and use a Mini DisplayPort cable and your set!
In a few months you probably won't be able to get a 2009 - 2013 iMac for love or money as they all get snapped up and repurposed as cheap secondary displays.But yes I meant to say USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adaptor.Any brand Thunderbolt cable should work. I haven’t tried a thunderbolt cord yet but I might try what you said.That adapter does not work for Mini DisplayPort.Thanks for this. I finally got it working last night by playing around with the thunderbolt cord and plugging it into different ports. Little help, please?Okay, am replying in case anyone in the same situation finds this thread.I just brought home a brand new 2019 iMac, and I'm trying to use my Late 2013 iMac as a second monitor. It eventually worked, now I just hope it keeps working because it sure didn't want to do it at first.If I had seven different computers on my desk, all with completely different form factors it would look like an unholy mess.
Are you sure you don't have a Mini DisplayPort cable? I used an Apple branded Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter connected to a generic 'no-name brand' Thunderbolt 2 cable.I just brought home a brand new 2019 iMac, and I'm trying to use my Late 2013 iMac as a second monitor. Restarted both computers, tried logging out of the 2013 iMac, and nothing. They believe it may be the cord. I have communicated my solution to Apple so I hope they can start spreading the correct advice and hopefully the techs at Apple can finally understand that Mini DisplayPort and thunderbolt are not the same thing even though they have identical physical inputs. Jan 11, 2020 #1 I have a late 2012 iMac 27" with Thunderbolt 2 that I want to use as a display for my 2019 MBP 16" with Thunderbolt 3. Tried it as a guest user as well. I would drop $3k right now for a new iMac if I could get TDM back.I have an ongoing open case with Apple about this issue.
I have been unable to get it to work again :(The 2019 iMac does detect the display as it shows both in "About this mac" > "Displays".It seems to work flawlessly now, I have a 2019 iMac with 2012 iMac as a secondary monitor as long as the 2012 iMac does not have a user logged in.My 2012 iMac has Mojave on it and runs pretty slowly.It seems that is why the TDM is so unreliable/flaky on my iMac.Is it the adapter that's getting in the way? Press Command + F2 on the keyboard of the iMac that you want to use as a display. While in Target Display Mode, only the keyboard’s display brightness, volume, and Target Display Mode key combinations are active. Your target iMac will now display the desktop of the other, connected Mac. I have a late 2009 iMac and a 2019 imac and I’m attempting this same thing.Hi Tim, just to confirm, I also have a 2019 iMac i9 which I have successfully connected to a 2013 iMac as a second screen in Target Display mode. It can be a bit flakey with initial recognition for some reason though. ****, it even says on the adaptor box that Mini DisplayPort is not compatible.Look in the Thunderbolt section of System Information (Option-click at the top-left of the screen) on both computers.
Other than those little niggles everything is working just fine.iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) and later iMac models can't be used as Target Display Mode displays.You should be using this adapterWell, just to be sure I went to Apple and bought a Thunderbolt cable. I finally got it working last night by playing around with the thunderbolt cord and plugging it into different ports. To exit TDM, just press Command + F2 again.