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Connecting Mac mini to iMac as display

C

Chris Newbold

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 22, 2014
43
2
Apple assured me I could connect new Mac mini to my late 2009 iMac in target display mode. The usb-c to mini display port cable I got doesn’t work. Think it has to be via FireWire or thunderbolt (which I don’t think the Mac has). Please can someone tell me what cable/adapter I need?
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Thanks for any help..
 
Which adapter did you use ?

Have you tried the actual $49 Apple TB3-TB2 adapter?

I currently use that on my 2011 Apple 27" TB display with my 16" MBP.

When I get my M1 Mini, I'll be testing on both a 2008 Apple 24" Cinema display using the adapter along with a HDMI 24" display (dual displays).

MMEL2
 
Chris Newbold said:
Apple assured me I could connect new Mac mini to my late 2009 iMac in target display mode.
Click to expand...
Is that a 21" or 27"?

If it is a 27", you would use the Mini Display Port on the iMac. You can go Mac Mini>TB3/TB2 bidirectional adapter>TB2cable>iMac MDP.
 
Sorry it’s a 27”. And the cable I have is Mini DisplayPort (from usbc) but doesn’t seem to be supported for target mode??
 
Can I confirm... is what I think on my Mac as ‘just’ mdp actually thunderbolt 2? It’s a 2009 iMac so don’t think so?
 
I have definitely used a USB-C to MiniDisplayPort cable, to connect a Dell PC laptop to a 2010 27" iMac. The cable I used is branded Startech.
Stupid question but have you definitely pressed Command+F2 on the iMac, to enable Target Display Mode?

But if you can't get that to work, your Mac Mini has HDMI too. Why don't you just get an HDMI to miniDisplayPort cable? Should be a lot cheaper?
 
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What OS are you using on the Mac mini?

I think I read that Big Sur was doing away with Target Display Mode.

Chris Newbold said:
Can I confirm... is what I think on my Mac as ‘just’ mdp actually thunderbolt 2? It’s a 2009 iMac so don’t think so?
Click to expand...
Your iMac has a Mini Display Port, not TB, but the TB cable can be used to connect to eh Mini Display Port.
 
r6mile said:
have definitely used a USB-C to MiniDisplayPort cable, to connect a Dell PC laptop to a 2010 27" iMac.
Click to expand...
Non-Macs are different, and just need a display port out.

I am pretty sure a USB-C to Mini Display Port cable will not work on the TB Macs in Target Display Mode.

Apple used to have a guide saying as much, but they removed it form the support site.
 
vertical smile said:
Non-Macs are different, and just need a display port out.

I am pretty sure a USB-C to Mini Display Port cable will not work on the TB Macs in Target Display Mode.

Apple used to have a guide saying as much, but they removed it form the support site.
Click to expand...

Oh fair enough. In which case I suggest the easiest and cheapest way for the OP to get a display out is through the HDMI port, unless he is already using it for another display.
 
r6mile said:
In which case I suggest the easiest and cheapest way for the OP to get a display out is through the HDMI port, unless he is already using it for another display.
Click to expand...
That might be the only way to get it working.
 
I just did a little research, with no clear answer for the OP.

Some saying that the USB-C to Mini Display Port adapter would work, and others saying no.

I found an archive of Apple's old Target Display Mode support guide, but people were saying that Apple made a mistake on the guide, and that you could not use the TB3/TB2 bidirectional adapter to target display the Late 2009 and Mid 2010 iMac.

So, there isn't a clear answer.
 
OP, if you figure it out, could you confirm what worked for you incase anyone else has a similar question?
 
According to this, I (and Apple's Target Display Mode support page) was wrong about the bidirectional adapter and Mini Display Port compatibility:
forums.macrumors.com

Using Target Display Mode on iMac with USB-C MacBook

Hi everyone, If I have an iMac compatible with Target Display Mode, would I be able to connect it to a newer USB-C MacBook using a USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adaptor + Thunderbolt 2 cable? Or in the instance of the 2009/2010 27" iMac, would a USB-C to Mini-DP adaptor + Mini-DP cable work? If no...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com

The USB-C to Mini Display Port should work for the TB3 Macs to the Late 2009 and Mid 2010 iMacs. The bidirectional adapter works for TB1 and TB2 Target Macs.
 
Ok so definitely not thunderbolt then. I can only find mini display port TO HDMI unidirectional. None going the other way...
 
USB-C to Mini-DisplayPort should definitely be what you need. I use a USB-C (male) to Mini-DisplayPort (female) adapter, then a Mini-DisplayPort (male) to Mini-DisplayPort (male) cable from the adapter to a 2010 iMac 27.

As stated above, sometimes you need to press Cmd+F2 on the iMac keyboard to enable Target Display Mode. And the iMac needs to be powered on and booted.
 
I’ve read 2020 Macs do not work with iMacs in target display mode, not even as the source.
 
Roy G Biv said:
I’ve read 2020 Macs do not work with iMacs in target display mode, not even as the source.
Click to expand...
My understanding was the client device wasn’t specifically aware that it’s connecting to an iMac in Target Display Mode - it just sees a DisplayPort monitor. That’s why it works with Windows laptops too.
 
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Roy G Biv said:
I’ve read 2020 Macs do not work with iMacs in target display mode, not even as the source.
Click to expand...

Lammers said:
My understanding was the client device wasn’t specifically aware that it’s connecting to an iMac in Target Display Mode - it just sees a DisplayPort monitor. That’s why it works with Windows laptops too.
Click to expand...
Yes, this is true.

The 2020 Macs may not work with a TB Target Mac, but I guess it makes sense that there are more options for the Late 2009 and Mid 2010 iMacs since they have MDP.
 
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I believe target mode does work with newer macs with big sur. so it’s just a case of finding an appropriate cable
 
I have a feeling I’m not going to solve this and will end up spending more money. What’s a good value display I can use. Maybe 24”+
 
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Chris Newbold said:
I have a feeling I’m not going to solve this and will end up spending more money.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't give up on the iMac yet, it sounds like it should work.

Can you give the process you are using to activate TDM?
Are you logged in or out of the iMac?
Are you pressing Command+F2?
What keyboard are you using, Apple, wired, wireless?
What OS are you using on the iMac?

Try resetting the SMC on the iMac, it is quick and easy to do.
 
Chris Newbold said:
I’m reading the details of the cable I bought and it absolutely should work!

Cable Matters Unidirectional USB C to Mini DisplayPort Cable (USB C to Mini DP Cable) Supporting 4K 60Hz 6 Feet - Not Compatible with USB C or Thunderbolt 3 Storage, Hard Drive, or Audio Device https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PGJXZGH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_etATFbNQPPCQ1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Click to expand...
I am starting to feel the same. I had TDM set up from my 2015 MBP (which had Thunderbolt 2 port) to 2011iMac via T2 cable for a couple of years. So, today I got my M1 Mac Mini, and just added an Apple T3 to T2 adapter and the same 2011 iMac - pressed Cmd-F2 just like I had for years and Nothing Happened. (I did reset SMC.) I will keep googling, but it doesn’t look promising. If no go, I’ll look at Screen Sharing or a new monitor. But not yet.
 
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Chris Newbold said:
I’m reading the details of the cable I bought and it absolutely should work!

Cable Matters Unidirectional USB C to Mini DisplayPort Cable (USB C to Mini DP Cable) Supporting 4K 60Hz 6 Feet - Not Compatible with USB C or Thunderbolt 3 Storage, Hard Drive, or Audio Device https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PGJXZGH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_etATFbNQPPCQ1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Click to expand...
I agree, that cable should be fine. Possible that it’s broken, or that something else is wrong.
 
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So... I’m using a ‘cheat’ version of Catalina on my old iMac..! That might be the problem but I don’t think so. Not the cheat bit anyway. CMD F2 or CMD FUNCTION F2 don’t seem to work - get a screen flash but that’s it. I can restart in target mode from system preferences startup and it seems to work with the tripod symbol thingy floating on screen. Logged into both machines with same Apple ID. I think the iMac does go into target disk mode just not picking up the signal from that cable!

I have a second issue as well. I also thought I could plug my Seagate ntfs (I know... don’t ask... dumb) formatted second drive with all my final cut projects in and it would just work! Now getting permission errors I think because Seagate drive software not supported.

So far I love the speed and silence insofar as it goes... but it looks like my master plan to get a cheap Mac upgrade by plugging a Mac mini into my old Mac and plugging in my hard drive isn’t a good solution, just not plug and play!

I think I might have to send the Mac mini back and rethink my set up..
 
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