2016 MBP to 2009 iMac (as monitor) in Target Display Mode

[frippdesign]

Hey all, I just received my new MBP, its awesome and I love it. However I'm trying to connect it to my late 2009 iMac 27" using the Belkin mini display port > Thunderbolt 2 > USB-C. The cable worked great with my 2011 MBP as soon as it was plugged in it went into Target Display Mode and was able to use as a second monitor. It will currently not work on the 2016 MBP. Does anyone know if this is possible on the new machine? Has anyone else encountered this?

Perhaps it is the Mini DP > Thunderbolt. I found a Mini DP direct to USB-C on amazon I was thinking of trying.

 

[wlossw]

Yeah, i think the problem is that you are using the thunderbolt adapter. Thunderbolt 1/2 and mini display port are the same shape, but not the same signal. Previous macbook pros supported display port and thunderbolt on the same ports. I think you want to go from usb c to display port.

See here:

"The Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter doesn't support connections to these devices:

• Apple DisplayPort display
• DisplayPort devices or accessories, such as Mini DisplayPort to HDMI or Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapters
• 4K Mini DisplayPort displays that don’t have Thunderbolt"

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT207266

 

[frippdesign]

Yeah, i think the problem is that you are using the thunderbolt adapter. Thunderbolt 1/2 and mini display port are the same shape, but not the same signal. Previous macbook pros supported display port and thunderbolt on the same ports. I think you want to go from usb c to display port.

See here:

"The Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter doesn't support connections to these devices:

• Apple DisplayPort display
• DisplayPort devices or accessories, such as Mini DisplayPort to HDMI or Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapters
• 4K Mini DisplayPort displays that don’t have Thunderbolt"

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT207266

Thank you! Do you think this guy will do the trick? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017TZTNBK/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A105NRR7VYZXED

 

[wlossw]

Thank you! Do you think this guy will do the trick? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017TZTNBK/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A105NRR7VYZXED

Assuming it performs as advertised, then yes! I have no experience with the actual product or brand, but it's cheap enough to be worth a try.

 

[Kinggyking]

Thank you! Do you think this guy will do the trick? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017TZTNBK/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A105NRR7VYZXED

Hi,

Did this work? I am trying to connect 2016 MBP to my 2010 iMac.

 

[frippdesign]

Hi,

Did this work? I am trying to connect 2016 MBP to my 2010 iMac.

Yes it did! Apologies for the delay, the item was in and out of stock and I wanted the grey so it took a little while to arrive. I plugged everything in and pressed CMD + F4 on the iMac keyboard, got a black screen while they connected and was in business. Thanks for your help @wlossw !!

 

[Kinggyking]

Yes it did! Apologies for the delay, the item was in and out of stock and I wanted the grey so it took a little while to arrive. I plugged everything in and pressed CMD + F4 on the iMac keyboard, got a black screen while they connected and was in business. Thanks for your help @wlossw !!

Hi,

Thats great to hear, so what cables and adaptors did you use?

Many thanks

 

[frippdesign]

Hi,

Thats great to hear, so what cables and adaptors did you use?

Many thanks

Belkin Thunderbolt to lightning cable and the above referenced mini display port > USB C

 

[sosnooly]

Belkin Thunderbolt to lightning cable and the above referenced mini display port > USB C

Sorry for deadposting, but could you please provide a link to the valid Thunderbolt to lightning cable?

Thanks.

 

[hogsdill]

Sorry for deadposting, but could you please provide a link to the valid Thunderbolt to lightning cable?

Thanks.

I would like to know as well. I'm in a similar situation.

 

[EugW]

This is how I do it:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/dual-imacs.2052555/#post-24790730

I use a Monoprice USB-C to DisplayPort adapter, with a DisplayPort to mini-DisplayPort cable, to use my 2010 iMac as an external monitor with either my 2017 iMac or my 2017 MacBook.

 

[hogsdill]

This is how I do it:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/dual-imacs.2052555/#post-24790730

I use a Monoprice USB-C to DisplayPort adapter, with a DisplayPort to mini-DisplayPort cable, to use my 2010 iMac as an external monitor with either my 2017 iMac or my 2017 MacBook.

Thanks for the quick response. I will give that adapter a shot.

 

[hogsdill]

Thanks for the quick response. I will give that adapter a shot.

Just a quick update... the Monoprice adapter worked for me.