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Model A1419 / EMC 2806 / Late 2014 or Mid 2015. 3.3 or 3.5 GHz Core i5 or 4.0 GHz Core i7 (ID iMac15,1); EMC 2834 late 2015 / 3.3 or 3.5 GHz Core i5 or 4.0 GHz Core i7 (iMac17,1) All with Retina 5K displays

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Target Display Mode Not Working, What's the Problem?

Hello,

iMac Retina 5K 27" Late 2015 and iMac 21.5" Late 2012

I'm a graphic designer and photographer. I work primarily on an iMac (Retina 5K, 27", Late 2015). But we have an older iMac in the office that I'd like to use as a secondary monitor a iMac 21.5" Late 2012, so that I can work on two screens.

I connected the two with a Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable and tried to connect through Target Display Mode by pressing command + F2 (I also tried command + fn + F2), and no dice.

I realize the Retina 5k is not supported as a display via TDM so I can't take the older iMac and display it on the Retina 5k one. But I should be able to display the Retina 5k iMac on the other one, right? Do I have this all wrong? Can the retina 5k not be used at all?

If it can what could be the issue? Help! I've been trying to figure this out forever.

Answer this question I have this problem too

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First, I do believe the cable needs to be a MiniDP Vs a Thunderbolt for it to work. The Apple TN is not complete.

Heres the Apple TN that goes over what works and what doesn't from Apples perspective: Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode

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3 Comments:

Thanks for the answer. I had actually consulted that link previously. Because mine is a late 2012, according to that link, I should be using the Thunderbolt cable (both computers have the thunderbolt symbol by that port as well). I guess I can try the miniDP anyway and see if that solves the issue. Thank you!

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@kerig - Did the miniDP cable work?

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I haven't had a chance to get one yet. Hoping to do it early this week but I've been swamped at work.

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Keri will be eternally grateful.
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