How to Use an iMac as a Monitor For MacBook Pro in 2024

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Unlock extra screen space for your MacBook Pro by repurposing an unused iMac display as a second monitor. With macOS 12 Monterey’s AirPlay feature or the older target display mode, maximize your setup. Follow my guide for seamless integration.

Use Your iMac as a Monitor with AirPlay to Mac

Requirements

• iMac models: 2019 or later.
• MacBook Pro model: 2018 or later recommended, but any MacBook Pro that can AirPlay video to other devices will work. Therefore, MacBook Pros, going all the way back to 2011, can use a supported iMac as a monitor, though your output resolution might be reduced.
• macOS version: The AirPlay receiver (iMac) must run macOS 12, Monterey. The AirPlay sender (MacBook Pro) must be on 10.8, Mountain Lion, or newer to use the iMac as a primary display, and 10.9, Mavericks, or newer to use the iMac as a second monitor.
• Other: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled, or else use a USB-C cable.

Instructions

1. Enable AirPlay Receiver on your iMac: Open System Preferences (System Settings on macOS Ventura and above) and click on the Sharing icon.

Click the AirPlay Receiver box in the left pane.

For the Allow AirPlay option, choose your desired setting. The current user is the most secure, but you must be signed in to both the sender and receiver devices with the same Apple ID.

MacBook Pros older than 2018 can only connect if Anyone on the same network or Everyone is selected.

The former requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. The latter can use peer-to-peer AirPlay. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must be enabled on both the sender and receiver for this method to work.

Even though AirPlay requires you to enter a four-digit code displayed on the AirPlay receiver Mac, it is still a good idea to tick the Require password box and enter a password. This adds another layer of protection to help prevent unauthorized access to your Mac.

Once you see the green dot next to AirPlay Receiver in System Preferences (System Settings on macOS Ventura and above), then you know your iMac is ready to serve as a monitor for your MacBook Pro.

Note: Apple only officially supports AirPlay Receiver in 2019 or newer iMacs, but it is possible to enable this feature on older iMacs. Check out the FAQs below for more details.

Check out this article by MacBook Pro Slow on how to connect two monitors.

2. Prepare your MacBook Pro: Ensure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on your MacBook Pro. For best results, connect the laptop to the same Wi-Fi network to which your iMac is connected.

You can also “AirPlay” from Mac to Mac using a USB-C cable, but this option is limited to Macs with USB-C ports. Connect your iMac to your MacBook Pro with the cable and follow the steps below.

If your MacBook is running Big Sur or later, click on the Control Center icon in the top right corner of your screen and click on the Screen Mirroring button. Select your iMac from the list.

If your MacBook’s operating system is older than Big Sur, open up System Preferences (System Settings on macOS Ventura and above) and choose Displays.

When available, check the box in the lower-left corner to Show mirroring options in the menu bar.

The old mirroring icon is a rectangle with a triangle at the base. Click on that icon from the top right corner of your screen and then select your iMac from the list.

The first time you connect, your iMac will display a four-digit code you must enter in the MacBook. If you set a password on the AirPlay Receiver Mac, you must enter that password to connect.

Once authenticated, the receiver Mac must still approve the AirPlay to Mac transaction. Click the Accept button.

After clicking Accept, your MacBook’s screen will display on the iMac.

Use Your iMac as a Monitor with Target Display Mode

Requirements

• iMac model: 24 and 27-inch 2009 or 2010 iMacs or any iMac released from 2011 through mid-2014.
• MacBook Pro model: 2019 or earlier.
• macOS version: The iMac must have macOS 10.13, High Sierra, or earlier. The MacBook must be running macOS 10.15, Catalina, or earlier.
• Other: Mini DisplayPort cable for the 2009 and 2010 iMacs, Thunderbolt cable 1 or 2 for the 2011-2014 iMacs. A Mini DisplayPort cable connects laptops or tablets to external displays, supporting high-definition audio and video signals.

Instructions

1. Log in to your MacBook Pro.
2. Connect the MacBook Pro to the iMac with the proper cable as specified above.
3. Turn on the iMac and connect a keyboard to the computer.
4. Press command + F2 on the iMac’s keyboard.

Note: Depending on your iMac’s settings and the keyboard attached, you might have to hold down the fn key while pressing the above key combination.

Once you press the above key combination, your MacBook’s screen will display on the iMac. Target display mode will not allow your MacBook to use other peripherals attached to the iMac, like its iSight camera or anything plugged in via USB.

To exit target display mode, press command + F2 again.

Also, Luna Display is a hardware solution that turns iPads into secondary displays for Mac computers, enhancing productivity and workflow flexibility.

FAQs

Here are some other questions you might have about using an iMac as a monitor.

Conclusion

While these two methods for using an iMac as an external display work well in a pinch, don’t expect professional-level performance. Latency and lower resolution are typical when using target display mode or AirPlay to Mac.

In other words, I wouldn’t invest much money or time into making either of these solutions work, but if you’ve got compatible hardware around, why not give it a shot?

Have you used either Airplay to Mac or target display mode with your MacBook Pro?

Based in Norman, Oklahoma, Andrew is an ex-certified Apple technician with over fifteen years of experience in the IT world specializing in macOS and iOS. When he's not writing, he enjoys video games, reading, and really bad movies.