Yes, you will work better with an extra screen, and yes, you will also be better at your video game if you stream it on the iMac monitor. In the end, these products are there to make us happy, so use them however you want. It may sound complex, but in reality, it is very comfortable since you can have many windows open at the same time. Today we will see in a simple and direct way how to use an iMac as a screen for other devices.
It is important that you know that It is very easy to use your iMac as a screen for other types of equipment you own, so you don't need much experience. Additionally, you should be aware of which Apple device models are compatible for this function. Below, we show you everything you need to know related to this topic.
Set your iMac as a display with these steps?
Setting your iMac as a display is a great way to maximize the use of your devices. There are two types of iMac compatible, so it is important to keep this detail in mind when following the steps to configure it as a display.
Although the steps you must follow are practically the same in both cases, it is necessary pay attention to some key differences.
iMac with Thunderbolt ports
If you have an iMac with this type of port (Thunderbolt) will be quite easy to connect it to any other computer with the same port. To find out if this is the case for your iMac, search a USB-C port with a lightning bolt next to it. Once you have found it, then make sure you have a cable with Thunderbolt connections on both sides.
Are you ready? Guide yourself through the following steps to use your iMac as a monitor:
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Use the Thunderbolt cable to connect device to iMac.
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Once connected, turn them on (the devices).
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Press the keys at the same time Command + F2 on the iMac that you want to use as an external display. Ready!
At this point, the device's content should appear on the iMac screen.
iMac with mini Display Port
If instead you have a 27-inch iMac with a mini DisplayPort, you will easily identify it by having a square between stripes in a port on the dorsal part. This model can also be used in the way explained above with the Thunderbolt port. However, we explain below how to use the iMac as a display via the Mini displayPort:
- Connect both Apple devices with one DisplayPort cable.
- After being connected, turn on both devices.
- Play the keys Command + F2 simultaneously on the iMac keyboard.
To transmit the sound, go to the settings of the device you are using and choose the iMac as the main audio output source.
What to do if Command + F2 doesn't work?
Sometimes your computer may not boot into screen mode the first time you try. This can be for various reasons such as settings that you have forgotten or that a process has failed. If your iMac doesn't react when you press Command +F2, you'll need to perform the following tests:
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Compatibility. The first thing is to verify that the iMac you are using is supports external display mode.
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User session. External display mode can only be used if you are logged in with a macOS system account on your main PC.
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Correct keyboard worksl. The Command + F2 combination must be pressed on the keyboard that you have docked to your iMac.
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Keyboard settings. Open System Preferences, check if the “Use function keys as standard function keys”. If so, the combination you will have to press for this will be Command + Fn + F2.
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Cable connection. make sure the Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cables are functions and are well connected to both devices.
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Sign out of the iMac. If you are logged in, log out to return to the login screen and press the key combination again.
iMac displays compatible with this feature
It impresses many of us that Apple's most modern iMacs do not have this integrated function. iMacs with retina displays have certain hardware limitations that make them impossible to use as an external display. Because of this, the list of iMac models compatible with this feature is somewhat small.
The iMacs that you can use as an external monitor are:
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2017 iMac Pro
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2019 iMac Pro
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27-inch iMac from 2009 to 2010.
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iMac from 2011 to 2014.
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iMac 2019
If you have one of the older models, you will need a first or second generation Thunderbolt cable that is compatible with the specific iMac. To use 2009 or 2010 iMacs for this purpose, use the cable mini DisplayPort. It is suggested to use MacOS Catalina or another more current version for any of these ways.
These iMacs generally won't be found in Apple's stores due to their disuse. However, you can choose to find a second-hand one that does not present any problems in its operation.
How to disable this functionality?
To deactivate the connection, do not rush to remove the monitor abruptly, remember that you have an established connection and an unexpected interruption can affect both devices. The best is Disable the feature manually before disconnecting the devices. Follow the following guide to do it correctly:
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Turn off the equipment involved.
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Turn on both the iMac and the other computer again.
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mantand pulsed Command + F2 like you connect them.
Once done, you will see that the feature has been disabled and the devices are working properly as usual. This, then, is the moment when can remove the cable that connected the devices. In this same way, you can reconnect them at another time when you need it and thus increase your productivity and work comfort.
And this was it! We hope we have been helpful to you in having information on how to use an iMac as a screen for other devices. Let me know in the comments what you thought was best and if you know anything else related to the topic.