You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: conno1td
conno1td Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

thunderbolt cable

The display on my late-2012 build 27” iMac has died — computer still turns on but that’s all. Apple no longer supports/provides replacement parts and I’m not interested in trying to find 3rd-party repair.


I have a MacBook Pro (2015 build) and a new 24” iMac (M1, 2021). I would like to use either of these as an external display so I can erase the fusion drive of the 27” iMac. I am having trouble determining which Thunderbolt-to-Thunderbolt cable to use. I think the 2012 iMac and the 2015 MacBook use the same Thunderbolt port shape; I know the 2021 iMac's Thunderbolt port is not compatible.


Any suggestions about cable type and sources much appreciated.


Tim

Posted on Oct 3, 2021 7:13 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
81,640 points

Posted on Oct 3, 2021 7:41 AM

That won't work, because neither of those Mac's (the 2015 MacBook or the M1 iMac) support Target Display Mode.

see > https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592


Your best bet, is to try to access the 2012 iMac's drive in Target Disk Mode using a TB 2 cable from the MacBook.

see > https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/transfer-files-mac-computers-target-disk-mode-mchlp1443/mac


View in context

Similar questions

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
81,640 points

Oct 3, 2021 7:41 AM in response to conno1td

That won't work, because neither of those Mac's (the 2015 MacBook or the M1 iMac) support Target Display Mode.

see > https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592


Your best bet, is to try to access the 2012 iMac's drive in Target Disk Mode using a TB 2 cable from the MacBook.

see > https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/transfer-files-mac-computers-target-disk-mode-mchlp1443/mac


Reply

thunderbolt cable

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up