Mac mini and iMac connection

Other options for sharing data:

• If both Macs use the same Apple ID, you could synchronize them through iCloud. There are various types of things that you can synchronize, including Photos, Calendars, Notes, and files on iCloud Drive. (See: Set up iCloud on your Mac - Apple Support)

• With a cabled connection, it would be possible to set up one Mac as a Target Disk (or equivalent) (note: NOT Target Display) for the other. This would be less convenient than network file sharing or using iCloud, as the machine acting as the "disk" could not do anything else while it was in that mode. Also, if the 2017 iMac was going to be the "disk", the cable would need to be an expensive Thunderbolt one.

You cannot use the iMac as a monitor for the Mac mini. Target display mode is not a feature for either of these machines.

If you are hoping to to share or transfer files, you can do that easily by enabling file sharing on the iMac. Nothing special is needed but a connection for each Mac to the same wi-fi network.

Set up file sharing on Mac - Apple Support

jeramiah82 Said:

"Mac mini and iMac connection: hello I had a question if I can connect a iMac 2017 21.5 inch with a Mac mini 2020 m1 if I can what would I need? Thanks!"

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Use Crossover:

Two Methods:

A. Ethernet Cable:

An Ethernet port looks like wide phone port. So, on a new, more recent iMac, use this adapter: Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter - Apple Support. The Ethernet cable is called a crossover cable.

B. Thunderbolt Cable:

This is the cable to use: Apple Thunderbolt Cable (2.0 m) - White - Apple Support. On the more recent Mac, use this adapter: Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple Support