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How to Use Your iMac as a Monitor: Unlocking Target Display Mode

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Did you know your iMac can double as a monitor for another Mac or PC? This feature, known as Target Display Mode (TDM), is a hidden gem in Apple’s ecosystem. While Apple has since discontinued support for TDM on newer iMacs, older models still offer this functionality, making them an excellent option for repurposing your iMac. Here’s everything you need to know about using your iMac as a second display.

Which iMacs Support Target Display Mode?

Not all iMacs can act as external monitors. TDM is supported on:
– iMac (27-inch, Late 2009 and Mid 2010): Requires macOS High Sierra or earlier.
– iMac (Mid 2011 to Mid 2014): Works with macOS Mojave or earlier.

Unfortunately, newer iMacs (2015 and later) and M1/M2-based Macs do not support this feature.

What You’ll Need

To set up Target Display Mode, ensure you have:
1. A compatible iMac (see list above).
2. A Mac or PC with a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port.
3. The correct cable:
– Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cables for Mac-to-iMac connections.
– An adapter if connecting from a PC with HDMI or USB-C output.

How to Enable Target Display Mode

  1. Connect the two devices using the appropriate cable.
  2. Turn on both the iMac and the source device.
  3. On the iMac, press Command (⌘) + F2 (or Command + Fn + F2 on some keyboards). This toggles the iMac into Target Display Mode.
  4. Voilà! Your iMac should now display content from your other device.

Pro Tips and Limitations

  • Resolution Cap: Your iMac will display at its native resolution, which might differ from your source device’s settings
  • No TDM on macOS Ventura+: Due to compatibility issues, TDM won’t work on your source Mac running macOS Ventura or later.
  • Audio Output: The iMac can also play audio from the connected device. To do this, tweak the sound settings on your source Mac or PC.

Alternatives for Newer Macs

If you’re using an M1/M2 Mac or a newer iMac, consider alternatives like Sidecar (to use an iPad as a second screen), Universal Control, or third-party apps like Luna Display for similar functionality.

Repurposing an older iMac as a monitor is cost-effective and eco-friendly—proving that even aging Apple tech can still shine in today’s workflows!

https://www.cultofmac.com/how-to/use-imac-as-monitor

How to Use Kagi.com as a Default Search Engine in Safari Without a Kagi Safari Extension?

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Safari does not support setting up a custom search engine like Kagi.com as the default search engine without using a Safari extension. The browser only allows you to choose from its integrated search engines: Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia.

However, there is a workaround to use a custom search engine for specific searches. Safari has a “Quick Website Search” feature that allows you to search within specific websites directly from the Smart Search Field. Here's how you can use it:

  1. Open Safari and go to the website you want to use as a custom search engine.
  2. Use the search function on the website at least once. Safari will automatically recognize the search engine of the website.
  3. Go to Safari > Settings > Search and ensure that “Enable Quick Website Search” is checked.
  4. Under “Manage Websites”, you should see the website you used for the search listed.
  5. Now, when you want to search using this website, type the name of the website followed by your search query in the Smart Search Field. For example, if you want to search “macOS tips” on Kagi.com, you would type “kagi macOS tips” in the Smart Search Field. Safari will then show an option to “Search Kagi.com for ‘macOS tips'”. Select this option to get search results directly from Kagi.com.

Remember, this method does not change your default search engine. It only allows you to use a custom search engine for specific searches. Your default search engine (Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Ecosia) will still be used for general searches from the Smart Search Field.

With PopClip

PopClip is a macOS utility tool that pops up with a menu of actions when you select text on your screen.

(1) Kagi search extension for PopClip: Search Kagi from anywhere using PopClip.

(2) Or, you can change PopClip's default search and change the Alternate default URL:

https://kagi.com/search?q=***

Press alt + shift to use an alternative URL with PopClip search.

How to Fix Wrong Unread Count in Smart Mailbox in MacOS 11 Big Sur

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MacPaw:

Reindex your Apple Mailbox

  1. Quit Apple Mail if the app is running.
  2. Launch Finder and select Go from the Menu Bar.
  3. Hold down the Option key. This will bring up a new item in the Go drop-down menu: Library. Select this option.
  4. Select Mail > V5 (or the current version) > MailData. Locate and delete all the files that start with Envelope Index, such as “Envelope Index” or “Envelope Index-wal.”

Note: It’s a good idea to copy each file to your desktop before deleting. Launch Apple Mail. The next time you open Mail, it will build entirely new Envelope Index files. You may have to be patient—this process can take a while if you have a lot of messages for Mail to go through.

Now, everything should be working as normal! If so, you can get rid of the Envelope Index file copies from your desktop.

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