All the options to use your Apple iMac as an external monitor for other devices.
The Apple iMac It has many advantages. Being an all-in-one computer, it comes with its own high-quality display, so you don’t need to connect it to an additional monitor to enjoy all your macOS content. However, in line with this, there are many users who wonder about the possibility of use iMac as a monitor with its screeninstead of as a complete computer.
The truth is that this function existed years ago by default and, in fact, if you have a Mac with macOS Catalina or earlier, you may still be able to use it depending on your computer model. However, although Apple does not currently provide the option to use it as an external monitor, we will show you the existing options to do it.
So you can turn your iMac into an external monitor to enjoy the rest of your devices
As we mentioned, despite the fact that Apple does not always allow the use of an iMac as a monitor, contrary to what happens with other all in one available in the market, there are always some options that will allow you to use your screen to transmit content from other devices, using it as a monitor.
Use software like Duet or Luna Display
Probably one of the easiest options to use your iMac as a monitor is to use a third-party program. software like DuetDisplay either Moon Display they can be very useful. With either one, you can connect another Mac or Windows PC to your iMac and use it as a second monitor to maximize your productivity.
However, it must be taken into account that Duet Display requires an annual payment in order to get the most out of it and have the functions. In the meantime, Luna Display is free but it is true that you will need to have a small accessory that connects to the device to be able to access it correctly, and it is usually not cheap.
As a detail, it is important to note that both programs are also compatible with operating systems such as iOS, iPadOS or even Android. This means that you can also use an iPad or an Android tablet as a second monitor for your computer, with the possibilities offered by having a touch screen.
Use AirPlay to stream screen contents between your devices
With the arrival of macOS Monterey, the possibility of doing AirPlay to the Mac has been enabled. This means that you can, for example, take the contents of your iPhone, iPad or even the entire screen of another Mac and share it via AirPlay to your iMac.
If what you wanted was, for example, to play a video or some images and you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch nearby that you can use to broadcast the content, with just share it via AirPlay you will have the option to use your iMac as an external monitor. Or, if you just wanted to use it as a monitor to another computer with macOSthanks to this same function you can connect one computer to another and use the iMac to see the screen of the other computer.
In addition, using this method has the important advantage that you will not need to use a single cable. It is enough that the two computers are connected to the same Wi-Fi network to be able to use the function. For this reason, it turns out much more comfortable as long as the router is at a sufficient distance between all the devices.
Sidecar can also help you if you have an iPad
Another option that can help if you have an iPad It’s Sidecar. It was presented together with macOS Catalina and promises the possibility of use any iPad as a second iMac monitor that is compatible. As with functions such as those offered by Luna Display or Duet Display, it allows you to use all the advantages such as the touch screen of the iPad.
To use it, just connect iPad and iMac to the same Wi-Fi network or connect them using a cable USB (most recommended for best possible performance). From here, in the macOS control center you will have the possibility to use Sidecar to extend the screen on your iPad. In this way, you can choose if you want to use the iMac monitor as an external display or if you prefer to use the iPad for it according to your preferences.
Use iMac as a display with target display mode
Just like Apple explains on its website target screen mode only available on older iMac computersiMacs released in 2011, 2012, 2013, and mid-2014 using a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 cable, or iMacs released between 2009 and 2010 using a Mini DisplayPort cable.
It is also necessary have macOS High Sierra or earlier of the operating system on the iMac to use as a monitor, as well as macOS Catalina or earlier on the primary computer to connect the iMac to, the latter of which was released before 2019. If you meet these requirements, to use it as an external monitor you just have to follow these steps:
- Make sure your iMac is turned on and meets the above requirements.
- Make sure the other Mac is turned on and signed in.
- Connect the two computers with the Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable, as appropriate.
- Press Command-F2 on the iMac keyboard. You should be able to see the other Mac’s desktop.
- To exit target screen mode, press Command-F2 again.
In this way, you can use your iMac as an external monitor. However, it is important to note that it only works on older computers. Unfortunately, Apple has chosen to eliminate it from its development plans, so if you want to use one of the latest iMacs as an external monitor, you will have no other option than use any of the alternatives mentioned earlier for it.