Use an iMac as an External Monitor

Use an iMac as an external monitor or extended display for your MacBook Pro. This video shows you how to easily do this.

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Be Creative!

[JuanCamacho]

Here are the cables you will need:
Get a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter Here -


Get an Apple Thunderbolt Cable Here -

[fuoribondo]

I would love to know if this is gonna work between a windows laptop (HDMI) and Imac 27 late 2013 version(thunderbird/mini display port). Any idea?

[arad_s]

Can I do this on my old 2011 macbook pro?

[jillleturgey]

A friend just gave me a late 2009 iMac. Could I buy a 2020 mac mini and use my iMac for a display?

[marvoinfo]

I was trying to do something like this with my MacBook Air M1 and 2013 iMac. I just realized tonight I can just use Mission Control and the built in Mac screen sharing to complete something similar. Just turn on Mission Control on your Apple Silicon device. Connect to your iMac via screen sharing. Put the iMac screen share in full screen. Now you can 3 finger swipe between the two screens and control your iMac with your MacBook trackpad. Both computers are running at the same time but it's like having dual monitors. You can also transfer files between the two devices or create more virtual desktops to swipe through. Another option is to add a second monitor to either computer and use the same setup if you prefer to use the MacBook closed. Free no cables or apps to download. Can also add iPad in side car mode to the M1.

[Drums]

I want to use my macbook pro as a second monitor and my iMac as the principal monitor, how do I do that?

[bryanhowelldesign]

Note, according to the official Apple support doc, your MacBook Pro, (The other Mac that you're connecting it to) must have been introduced in 2019 or earlier and have macOS Catalina or earlier installed which is significantly old at this point. I just purchased the linked cables/adapter and it doesn’t work for me running a 2021 M1 MacBook Pro and that’s really a shame!

[ianmcinroe]

Hey man, how do you do this with an HDMI cable? I don't have the thunder bolt adaptor or cable

[corkandi]

Great video...but my macbook pro is mid 2015. It has a USB, HDMI & 2 x thunderbolt 2 connections. Which cables would I need to use my imac 27inch (2011), as an external monitor?

[olku]

Can you do this with the mac mini? And if so, can you use the built in speakers/cam while using it?

[lenardluis]

Hi,
I have a Macbook Air Retina 13-inch 2018 and an iMac 27-inch Mid 2010. The cmd+f2 doesn't work for me. Can you not connect Macbook Airs with the iMac? I am really thankful for some Information.

[joshuadhaene]

@Juan Camacho - What would you suggest for an iMac (Mojave - Retina 5k, 27-inch 2017) and a MacBook Pro (Catalina - Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)? I don't really care which one is the primary screen and which is the secondary, just trying to use them together. Thanks!

[jordanchan]

Hi Juan, I tried connecting my MacBook Pro 2020 with my iMac (mid 2011) via thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2 adapter and thunderbolt cable and it's not working. I'm using a Microsoft usb keyboard for my iMac and I think this might be the problem. I'm going to buy the the authentic Apple keyboard and try again and hopefully it'll work.

[josephkintz]

Thanks for this video. This also works on my late 2012 iMac 27 running macOS Catalina connected to a 2017 15-inch MacBook Pro running MacOS Monterey. I just had to go into the Display settings in System Preferences on the MacBook Pro and adjust the settings for the iMac 27.

[gorankozic]

Hi Juan, I'm watching your video carefully, so I'm asking you for help now. I have an iMac 27 "Late 2009 and I want to connect it as an external monitor to the Macbook Air M1.
In the iMac I connected the mini display port adapter to the hdmi and connected the HDMI cable that goes to the Macbook air M1.
When I click on the keyboard Comand+F2 nothing happens.
How can you help me connect these two devices?
Thanks in advance.

[jameysherman]

Couldn't you theoretically do this with a newer iMac say (17/19) using the older one as the display target for a second monitor? I talked with an apple genius not to long ago about it and he seemed to think so but wasn't 100%

[anaduartebrandao]

Hi! thank you for the video! I tried this with a iMac (27-inch, Late 2013) and a MacBook Pro (13 inch, 2020, 4 entries Thunderbolt 3) and Command + F2 does not work! Any advice?? Thank you!

[philipkoh]

Hi, What if I want to use my Macbook pro as a second screen for my iMac? Both my computers are mid 2014 models.

[mikehathcote]

Great explanation! I have a late 2012, 27" running Catalina. Will this work with a 2016 MacBook Pro?

[KB-qzyl]

This is a helpful video, thank you. When you are using an iMac as an external monitor for a laptop, do you know if that set up also means the iMac's camera can be used (for a video conference call) or does the iMac function as a display only? (I'm thinking of getting a 2020 27" iMac to use on its own, but also as a monitor and video camera for my work 2018 MacBook Air. I called Apple but the representative was a bit wishy washy about whether this is possible.)