Does Target display work with Big Sur

Question

joelw135 OP

Created Jul ’20

Replies 16

Boosts 0

Views 8.7k

Participants 16

I wanted to know if anyone is using target display mode with Big Sur?

Boost

Answer 1

SebC99 OP

Sep ’20

1

Have you tried yet?

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Answer 2

FerHdz OP

Oct ’20

Anyone yet?

Target display is an awesome feature of old Macs, hope it will work

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Answer 3

FerHdz OP

Nov ’20

I can happily the report that macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 does still support TDM

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Answer 4

Agermain OP

Nov ’20

Does it work using 2020 MBP or only older models?

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Answer 5

dark_jager OP

Dec ’20

My new 2018 Intel Mac Mini purchased 12-01-2020 running Mojave connected to an iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011) running
High Sierra 10.13.6 in Display (Target Display Mode) worked fine. When the Mac Mini auto updated to Big Sur
during the configuration setup of a new computer it broke Target Display Mode. To make it worse I can not create
a bootable thumb drive for Mojave or Catalina to fall back to a working version of the macOS that does support
Target Display Mode.

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Answer 6

miclac OP

Jan ’21

Works With big Sur 11.0.1 but not with the update to 11.1

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Answer 7

NeilYuen OP

Jan ’21

"Works With big Sur 11.0.1 but not with the update to 11.1"
I have the same situation, Big Sur 11.1 does not support Target Display Mode.
iMac(2013 late, 10.15.7), Mac Mini M1(10.11).

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Answer 8

Loki65 OP

Jan ’21

Big Sur 11.1 works.
So does Catalina.

I am running Big Sur on a 2017 MBP15" i7 and Catalina on a late 2012 iMac 27" i7.
This works very well.

However, my Catalina based 2020 MBP 13" i5 does not work with the iMac.

Firewalls and permissions are pretty much identical.

Any ideas?

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Answer 9

ksmacuser OP

Feb ’21

BigSur 11.2.1 on MBP 15" 2018 to Catalina 10.15.7 on iMac 2013, TDM does not work. Would love a solution to this issue.

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Answer 10

MLTorres-6703 OP

Apr ’21

Just purchased my Mac this past weekend and found out through support that Big Sur 11.2.3 does not support Target Display Mode with older Macs. My other Mac is running High Sierra 10.13.6. The store sold me the Thunderbolt cable and Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter, informing me that it will work. Support went on to say that if I only bought my Mac in 2019 that I would've been able to enjoy this feature. I have already sent my feedback on the issue, but just wanted to let everyone else here know what I found out today.

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Answer 11

ZHardeur OP

Jun ’21

Hey, frustrating. Anybody found a workaround? Same here. iMac (late 2012) with osx 10.12.6 and a new imac 2020 with 11.3.1 . TB3->TB2-Adapter and Thunderbolt-Cable. Hope they will change that again.

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Answer 12

keatrob OP

Jul ’21

Seems Big Sur 11.3 on my macbook pro will not enable TDS with my old 2012 imac with oxc Yosemite 10.10. Super frustrating. Anyone have any luck?

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Answer 13

mikulskithethird OP

Jul ’21

Just purchase a 2020 iMac 5K 27inch, and Target display will not work. I tried everything and called customer service. This is very frustrating as it worked decently on my 2017 iMac 5K 27inch that I gave to an employee. I would not have purchased a newer iMac if I knew I would lose that feature.

I really hope Apple could fix this soon.

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Answer 14

NinaAlyssa OP

Aug ’21

Connected my new macbook pro with macOS Big Sur 11.3.1 to my 2013 iMac with macOS High Sierra 10.13.6,21.5inch using the Thunderbolt cable and Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter but can’t use the TDM. Can anyone advise on the workaround for this please?

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Answer 15

angelotrivelli OP

Dec ’21

No, according to Apple.

But does this mean it absolutely can't be worked around under any circumstances? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

There are folks who are getting target display mode with modern source machines (including PC's). It all seems rather iffy, but perhaps worth a try, the worst that can happen is you buy a cable or two that doesn't work out.

Examples (I tried to paste the youtube links but it's not allowed):

Late 2020 M1 13-inch Macbook to 2009 27-inch iMac. Search youtube for "How to connect your old 2009 imac to new 13" M1 Macbook Pro as an External Monitor. Cheap Hack! Easy"
2017 Macbook to 2013/2014-ish iMac, Search youtube for "How to Use Your iMac in Target Display Mode"

Looks like iMacs after 2009 use thunderbolt and 2009 uses mini-displayport. If you have a modern macbook with USBC connectors you'll need an adapter in addition to the cable. It's all so confusing and hit-or-miss. Try at your own risk, I guess!

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