Watching video from a Mac using AirPlay can also be unreliable with lag a common a problem.

Generally we wouldn’t recommend using an iMac as an external display on an M1 or M2 Mac if you’re using it for something like video editing due to lag unless you used Luna Display. Using Luna Display (Supports 5K – $119.99)Īll three methods aren’t quite as good as Target Display mode because there is usually some lag when using them and only Luna Display supports 5K resolution on the iMac as it works via Thunderbolt or Ethernet ports (although it’s not free).Using AirPlay mode in macOS Monterey or later (Free).However, there are other solutions that allow you to use any iMac as an external display with an M1 or M2 Mac. We therefore strongly recommend checking out the following guides to the best external monitors for Mac instead trying to use an iMac as a long term external display solution.Ĭan M1 & M2 Macs Use An iMac As A Monitor?Īpple Silicon M1 & M2 Macs such as the M1/M2 MacBook Pro, M1/M2 Mac Mini and Mac Studio can use an iMac as a monitor but not using Target Display Mode.Īpple Silicon M1 and M2 Macs cannot use iMacs that support Target Display Mode as an external display because M1 and M2 Macs do not support macOS Catalina which the Primary Mac needs in order to connect to a iMac with Target Display Mode.

Since Apple has dropped Target Display Mode from both the latest iMacs and Apple Silicon Macs, you can use an iMac as a monitor either via AirPlay or using third party apps which don’t perform as well. This is because the latest M1 and M2 chip Macs do not support the old Target Display Mode available in Intel Macs which utilized the full resolution and capabilities of the iMac as a monitor. This is especially true when trying to use an iMac as an external display for video editing or graphic design with the Apple Silicon M1/M2 MacBook Pro, M1/M2 MacBook Air, M1/M2 Mac Mini and the Mac Studio. Using Luna Display (Intel & M1/M2 Macs)įirstly, it’s important to be aware from the start that it’s far simpler and results in much better resolution to use a dedicated external display than an iMac as an external monitor with a Mac. Using Apple AirPlay 2 (Intel & M1/M2 Macs) Disadvantages of Using An iMac In Target Display Mode.iMac External Display Problems With Target Display Mode.

Using Target Display Mode With An iMac (Intel Macs Only)

Can M1 & M2 Macs Use An iMac As A Monitor?.

Use ipad as mac mini monitor