Target Display Mode alternatives for newer iMacs and Apple silicon Macs
Target Display Mode let one Mac use an iMac as its screen. Apple never brought it to iMacs from late 2014 onward or to Apple silicon Macs, so here are the options that remain, including when DispMini isn't the right one.
What Target Display Mode was
With a cable between two Macs and a press of Cmd+F2, an iMac became a plain display for the other Mac. According to Apple, both Macs need to be quite old:
- The iMac: introduced in 2011 to mid-2014 with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 cable, or a 24-inch or 27-inch model from 2009 or 2010 with a Mini DisplayPort cable. It has to run macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 or earlier.
- The other Mac: introduced in 2019 or earlier, running macOS Catalina 10.15.8 or earlier.
That rules out every Apple silicon Mac and every iMac from 2017 onward. No setting or cable changes that.
The alternatives compared
| DispMini | AirPlay to Mac | Luna Display | Duet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iMac used as the screen | 2017 or later, macOS 13 or later | iMac Pro, or iMac from 2018 or later (2019 models in practice), macOS 12 or later | Any Mac with macOS 10.13 or later | Mac or PC; see Duet for requirements |
| Mac sending the picture | Apple silicon, macOS 14 or later | Recent Macs; older ones at lower resolution | 2011 or newer, macOS 10.13 or later | See Duet for requirements |
| 2017 iMac as the screen | Yes, tested | Not on Apple's list | Yes, by its stated requirements | Check with Duet |
| Extra hardware | Thunderbolt or USB4 cable | None | Luna dongle | None, software only |
| Price | Free for individuals, schools, non-profits and government; businesses need an agreement | Included with macOS | $89.99 one-time, as listed in November 2026 | See Duet's pricing |
| Built for | A permanent, wired display that reconnects by itself | Streaming and mirroring when you need it | A second display, wired or wireless | A second display on many devices |
Product details change, so check each vendor's site before you buy. We've based this on their published pages and haven't benchmarked them against DispMini.
Which one to choose
- Your iMac is from 2014 or earlier and the other Mac is old too: try Target Display Mode first. It's built in and it's a true video link.
- You have a supported newer iMac and only need a screen now and then: try AirPlay to Mac. It's already on your Mac and costs nothing.
- Your iMac is from before 2017, or your sending Mac is Intel-based: DispMini won't work. Luna Display supports a much wider range of Macs.
- You also want an iPad or a PC as a second screen: look at Duet or Luna Display, which cover more devices.
- You want a 2017-or-later iMac to be your Apple silicon Mac's everyday display: this is what DispMini is built for.
What to know about DispMini
- It's in pre-release, and has only been tested on two iMac models. See which iMacs work.
- It isn't notarized by Apple yet, so macOS asks you to click Open Anyway the first time.
- It isn't open source.
- It adds no encryption of its own, so use a direct cable or a trusted private network.
Sources
Apple: Use your iMac as a display with target display mode. Apple: Continuity features and requirements. Astropad: Luna Display. Duet. Checked November 2026.