MacBook target display mode

I have a mid-2009 white unibody MacBook, and a lot of the labs at my school are using 21 inch iMacs from late 2010 to mid 2011. I would like to take advantage of these larger screens that I sit in front of while also having all of my stuff accessible. Is target disk mode possible via mini displayport between these two machines?

Only the new 27" iMacs support Target Display Mode.

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Target Display Mode - Connecting pre-Thunderbolt Macbook Air to Thunderbolt iMac.

I want to use Target Display Mode in order to display my late-2010 Macbook Air (pre-Thunderbolt) to a Thunderbolt-based iMac. Is there an adapter solution to connect, say, a mini display port + USB port on the MB Air to the iMac Thunderbolt port, such that TDM would work?

Depends upon the situation. Take a look at this blog:
http://blog.macsales.com/10899-target-display-mode-and-thunderbolt

Using iMac (Target Display Mode) as an External Display for MacBook Air

I have a Mid 2010 iMac with a 2 thunderbolt ports. I now have a brand new MacBook Air (2012 Core i5 1.8GHz with 8GB RAM) with a thunderbolt port. I have a Belkin Mini Displayport Cable to connect the two. I want to use the iMac as an external monitor for the MacBook Air. I cannot seem to get this to work. Can I do this? Do I have the right cable?

You can do it but you need a thunderbolt cable to connect the two. Then just hit CMD F2 on the iMac and it will enter Target Display Mode.

MacBook Air to iMac Target Display Mode not working

I would like to connect my MacBook Air (13") with my iMac (27") to use the latter as an external display with Target Display Mode.
I followed instructions from a number of posts (http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14264), and connected the two with thunderbolt cable and hit Command-F2 -- the iMac goes black and MacBook stays the same. One post suggested dragging windows over to the iMac as an extended display, and I was able to drag Safari totally off-screen, presumably onto the other display, but the iMac still appeared black
Other issue is that hitting Command-F2 again doesn't do anything. I could only get the iMac out of TDM when I unplugged the thunderbolt cord.
I have a brand new Macbook Air and iMac along with new thunderbolt cable (all purchased at Apple Store in 2014). Would appreciate any help, thanks!

Additional twist to this...
Tried to troubleshoot and reset the System Management Controller (SMC) per http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
When I hit Command-F2, one window from my MacBook will display on the iMac (it was Safari a few times, Outlook once), but neither keyboard/mouse can DO anything in that screen. That window also disappears from the MacBook. And I can only return after unplugging thunderbolt (not command-F2).
Help please

15 inch early 2011 Macbook Pro to Mid 2010 27 inch Imac Target Display Mode

Hi Guys
I have a early 2011 15" Macbook Pro with thunderpolt port aswell
as a Mid 2010 27" iMac with MiniDisplay port.
I am trying to use the iMac as a second screen for my Macbook.
Both has Mountain Lion on them.
I have both Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt aswell as miniDisplay to MiniDisplay
cables.
I can't get target display mode to work.
The thunderbolt cable doesn't work at all.
The MiniDisplay does seeem to work to an extend but not completeley.
When i plug in the MiniDisplayPort cable to both machines then
the Macbook pro screen becomes blue which means secondary monitor detected.
iMac screen becomes blank. Sometimes i have enough time to see in system preferences that
the Macbook pro actually has a secondary monitor.
But just as it turned blue on the Macbook pro and black on the iMac. It turns blue again
and the iMac returns to it's Desktop.
The exact same happens when i Press Command + F2 on iMac keyboard.
Any help or ideas?

I have a 13"macbook air and a Dec. 2012 iMac 27". Out of the blue it stopped working in Target Display Mode. Switching cables doesn't help, and the iMac and MBair are connect to power. I can see the iMac screen in Share Screen mode on the MB air.
This seems to be an issue, I have encountered eg. in MacRumours:
Jan 11, 2013, 10:17 AM
#5
martinm0
macrumors 6502
Join Date: Feb 2010
I have the same issue with my 2012 27" iMac (3.4, 680MX). When I initiate Target Display mode the iMac goes black and never comes back up. On the laptop I can see the display in Display Preferences, but its as if the backlight doesn't come on in TD mode. (I even did screen sharing into the laptop and can see both displays there.
Anyway, called Apple and they determined its an issue and I have to send in for a replacement.
Anyone else with a 2012 iMac (21.5 or 27), can you please test out Target Display mode and let us know if things are working or not?

Using Macbook 2015 with old iMac in target display mode?

Opinions about the new 12 inch Macbook 2015 aside, I am wondering if I can use my 27 inch iMac mid-2011 in Target Display Mode.
I also had trouble finding "daisy chain" solutions to this. Ex. An accessory that will allow me to charge the Macbook while also providing a thunderbolt port in order to output the display into my iMac.
Am I just being too impatient? I have a feeling I will need to buy a load of different adapters just to try and work with the new Macbook's USB C...
Just for more information, I'm currently using my 15 Inch Macbook Pro Retina Mid-2012 connected to my 27 inch iMac in target display mode through a thunderbolt cable. I'm just hoping I can have this simple setup also work with the new Macbook 2015..
Thanks.

Yes, that model supports Target Display Mode. You will have to wait for Apple to provide adaptors for such use.
Target Display Mode- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Target Display Mode 2011 & Later iMacs

Can windows 8.1 in boot Camp display in target display mode on an IMac?

I have given up on Windows 7 running in Boot Camp on my 15" MacBook Pro and displaying it on my 27" IMac via thunderbolt and Target Display Mode.
The FAQ concerning Target Dsiplay Mode farily clearly says Windows 7 won't work.
But it does not say Windows 8.1 will or will not drive Target Display Mode via thunderbolt.
see: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5219, question 29
Has anyone found that running Windows 8.1 in BootCamp on a MacBook Pro Retina mid 2012 will display via a thunderbolt cable in to Target Display Mode on a late 2013 IMac 27"?
I don't want to go to the trouble of installing Windows 8.1 and trashing my otherwise functional Windows 7 Boot Camp installation unless it is going to display properly on my late 2013 27" IMac running OSX 10.9.3 via thunderbolt.
Thanks in advance!

no, tdm doesn't work under bootcamp regardless of which windows is being used, imho i don't think it will ever work under bootcamp

IMac 27" Target DIsplay Mode + Answer to Windows 7 Boot Camp Install

First, I'd like to address the handful of complaints I've come across about installing Windows 7 via Boot Camp on the new 27"iMac.
The issue of the screen going blank when almost done has an easy albeit annoying answer. Simply connect the iMac to an external display, I used a small vga lcd with the Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter. When the iMac's screen goes black the external lcd will continue, and when Windows 7 starts up it will download the updated ATI drivers. From there alls well.
Second, my problem.
Target Display Mode is a great feature. It worked great when I first used it, and it works great now except for the fact that the Command+F2 button combination stopped working. I have to manually unplug my MacBook Pro in order to get my iMac's original screen up. At first Command+F2 would allow me to switch back and forth, and now it does nothing.
Any suggestions?

Well, the usual first things to try for a display-related issue are
Reset PRAM
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
and of that does not help, reset SMC
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1543
which is basically unplugging the iMac from power and reconnecting it following the precise procedure.
Note: After resetting PRAM, you should go to System Preferences +Startup Disk+ pane to make sure your internal drive is selected (highlighted) as the startup disk.

Target Display Mode - Thunderbolt to Mini DisplayPort?

I have a MacBook Pro which has a Mini DisplayPort and I connect this to the Mini DisplayPort on my 27" iMac and use Target Display Mode.
I am interested in the MacBook Air but there is no longer a Mini DisplayPort and I want to be able to go into Target Display Mode on my iMac. Is this going to be possible ie can I connect the Thunderbolt port on a MacBook Air to the Mini DisplayPort on my iMac and go into Target Display Mode? If possible, are the cables available yet?
Thanks
Tony

Yes, you can use the Thunderbolt port (which doubles as a Mini DisplayPort).
And yes, the cable (Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort) is available.
You can probably use your existing cable for Target Display Mode, just not for connecting Thunderbolt devices to your MacBook Air.

2008 iMac - Target Display Mode?

Hi! I am a little confused it looks like newer versions of the iMac 2009+ support target display mode but I can't find any info on older iMacs. I have a 2008 iMac that has a mini DVI on the back and a 2010 MacBook Pro with mini displayport. My question can I use the iMac as a monitor for my MacBook Pro? Can I take a mini displayport cable to DVI and a DVI to mini DVI to the back of the iMac? Or is the mini DVI on the back of the iMac an output only? If so does it allow you to use a second monitor?
Thanks!
Guy

I hear you - I'm trying to make it 4 (at a little over 3 right now) because I have some camera gear I want to buy first. My iMac has been crawling a bit lately especially when running Aperture. Just did a fresh Lion install this weekend and it seems to have improved. Was thinking about getting a super beefy Mac Mini and a 27" Cinema Display instead of an iMac next time - that way I can upgrade sooner and not feel so bad about it. Keep the Cinema Display and replace the Mac Mini every 3. Else bite the bullet and get a Mac Pro - but not sure I want a giant cheese grater

2010 iMac Target Display Mode not working

I'm trying to use my 27" 2010 iMac with OS X 10.7.5 as the display for my Power Mac G4 using Target Display Mode, but command+F2 doesn't do anything. I have it hooked up from the G4 using a DVI -> Mini Displayport adapter into the iMac. I've tried having the G4 plugged into the iMac, shutting both down, booting the G4 first and then the iMac. I've tried repairing my disk permissions on the iMac. I'm using an Apple keyboard and have tried both a wireless and USB keyboard, still no luck. Is what I'm attempting impossible or am I doing something wrong?

Target Display is working on the iMac, but by default, the MacBook Air uses the external display (in this case, the iMac) as an extended display, so you have to drag the windows to the right of the display of your MacBook Air and they will appear on your iMac.
If you want to show the same on both MacBook Air and iMac displays, see "Video mirroring" > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5019

No sound on iMac in target display mode

I've got a late 2009 27" iMac running Yosemite.
When I connect either my MBP (Yosemite, late 2011 15") or my wife's rMBP (Mavericks, 2012 15") to the iMac using a mini Display Port cable and switch the iMac to target display mode using Cmd-F2, sound no longer works.
Previously, when the iMac was running Mavericks, the laptops would route sound to the iMac via HDMI audio (I think) on the mDP cable and sound would be output via the iMac speakers or headphones attached to the iMac. Since upgrading the iMac to Yosemite, sound no longer plays.
This occurs regardless of the laptop OS, Mavericks or Yosemite. The sound icon on the laptop get greyed out and shows that it is going to the "Color LCD" but no sound is output via the iMac.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

Humm... I might go TosLink between the iMac and the FastTrack and then run the USB connection to the MacBook Pro when your using it in Target Display Mode.
Or vise Versa, leave the USB connected to the iMac and use the TosLink connection for the MacBook Pro.
See > NewerTech CBLAOPTMT Toslink to Mini Toslink Optical... in stock at OWC

How do I get Windows 7 to display in Target Display Mode on IMac

I am increasingly frustrated by my inbability to get my Mac Mini running Windows 7 to display on my late 2013 27" IMac using Target Display mode.
My setup:
1. IMac 27" Late 2013 running OSX 10.9.2 with all the latest drivers as of Mar 7, 2014.
2. Mac Mini Server Mid 2011 running Windows 7 SP1, 64bit, all the latest Windows drivers as of 3/7/14, using the latest BootCamp Drivers for this machine, ver 5.1 downloaded 3/5/14 to this machine using Boot Camp utilities in its OSX mode.
3. Connected via Apple Thunderbolt cable.
My process is as follows:
a. Turn on the IMac, boot up in the normal manner, preparing it to run in Target Disk Mode in OSX.
b. Turn on the MacMini boot up via BootCamp, in the normal manner in to Windows 7.
c. When Both machines are on and connected via their Thunderbolt ports, I enter cmd-F2 on the IMac keyboard to enter Target Disk Mode.
Nothing happens.
I use this IMac to display my MacBook Pro in OSX, so I know it is working, but I can't see where the problem is.
I have reviewed all of the Apple support information and followed it explicitly, to no avail.
When I have called the Apple support team, I get little help, they assert that they can't troubleshoot because it is not all Apple hardware/software (everything including the Thunderbolt cable is Apple except for the Windows OS)
Any suggestions will be welcome...
Thanks!

I have finally achieved some clarity on how Target Display Mode works, or rather doesn't work.
And I have been mistaken in some of my prior comments.
Target Display Mode is a function of the host machine, at this point only the IMacs. And it is only available when the host machine is running OSX.
But the most recent Thunderbolt versions of the IMac have been significantly dumbed down in this functionality.
The prior generation of IMacs whose video was supported through the Mini Display Port supported almost any input from a Mini Display Port compliant Computer through the use of various mechanical adapters, and certainly from any Mac Hardware or software combination. It was a very versatile setup, and the IMac in this manner could serve as an absoloutely beautiful monitor for a wide variety of hardware/software combinations.
When the current version of the IMac was deployed using the Thunderbolt ports for input for external video, we apparently left a world of standards based video input and entered the world of Apple proprietary video.
The current model of IMacs with thunderbolt video have a very limited functionality in Target Display Mode compared to those of us who have used it previously. and it only functions when the client machine is running OSX.
No other video input from any source will display.
I am not quite clear on the reasons one would want to display OSX on an OSX native machine, but you can do it. I guess MacBook Pro or Air running OSX will now display on the IMac if that is your need.
Likely the most likely need for Target Display Mode for the rest of us is to run Windows on an external machine and display the video on the IMac, as we have been able to do with the prior generations of IMacs for several years now.
Apple has been unwilling to distribute the technical specifications of its video input requirements in Target Display Mode, (other than to assert it requires OSX), and these technical specifications appear to be proprietary.
I have personally unsuccessfully tried to display the output from both Windows 7 and a Windows 8 machines running from a Windows thunderbolt port into a thunderbolt port on a current model IMac using Target Display Mode.
Unfortunately, there are still a few applications that won't work in Mac world and require a native Windows machine. My current need is to run Dragon Naturally Speaking via Citrix to a remote Citrix server and a Windows app. Parallels and VMWare Fusion do not work, nor does the OSX version of Dragon Dictate function via Citrix. So I am stuck.
I hope that Apple, so long a leader in technology, will restore the functionality it abandoned when it embraced thunderbolt as its only video iniput in Target Display Mode.
Thanks!

External Monitor in Target Display Mode Won't Wake Up

I'm using 2 imac 27' and one is simply used as an external display. When I wake up the computer from sleep, it works on the main monitor, however the external display still has a black screen. I have to unplug the external monitor to get it to wake up. Is there anyway to fix this? I tried unplugging thunderbolt and replugging it in which worked the first time, but same issue again not waking up.

Same issue here, I'm using a macbook pro retina and connecting to a 27 inch imac via thunderbolt and target display mode.
I also have a 27 inch thunderbolt display hooked up via tbolt cable as well.
Whenever the displays goto sleep, the iMac does not wake up with the other screens. My setup knows the iMac is part of the displays, it doesn't act like there are only 2 screens available.
If I press the target display mode shortcut (command + f2) then the imac screen turns on, but now its left target display mode (so it clearly is in target display mode, but does not receive the command to turn on display or ignores it). Hitting hte shortcut again now switches back.
I have not tried just the mbpr + imac as target display mode, but based on your post it still wouldn't wake up if it was the only machine connected.
I've found that when I come back to my computer, i just hit command +f2 on the imac, which wakes it up and jumps to its screen, t hen i hit command +f2 again, and now I wake the mbpr from sleep so it doesn't have to go from 2 screens to 3 screens.

Disable sound on imac in target display mode

Have a question about disabling the sound.
I have a MacBook Pro connected to my iMac by the thunderbolt cable. I enable the target display mode on iMac with a script for disabling some configurations on iMac ( including the bluetooth for mouse and keyboard steal ).
I set the sound output in the MacBook Pro to the iMac DisplayPort.
The problem is now i have both outputs on iMac speakers. i want to disable all sound from iMac but keep the output from MacBook Pro on iMac speakers.
Is this posible?
Thanks.

Humm... I might go TosLink between the iMac and the FastTrack and then run the USB connection to the MacBook Pro when your using it in Target Display Mode.
Or vise Versa, leave the USB connected to the iMac and use the TosLink connection for the MacBook Pro.
See > NewerTech CBLAOPTMT Toslink to Mini Toslink Optical... in stock at OWC

MacBook target display mode

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