How do I use a MacBook as an external monitor?

I have a MacBook Pro and a MacBook Air, both running Catalina. I want to use one of them as a second monitor for the other. How do I do that?

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Posted on Aug 17, 2020 1:45 PM

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Posted on Aug 17, 2020 2:45 PM

I'm not sure that's possible. I mean, you can use an separate external monitor with your MacBook Air or with your other kinds of Macs, providing you have the right adapters, in closed display mode, and you can use certain iPads as an external monitor utilizing Apple's SideCar feature, but I am not certain that you can use one laptop, open, as an external monitor for a second open laptop.


But if it can be done, someone on here has no doubt done it and they'll swoop in for sure. :-) Otherwise, if you have a SIdeCar compatible iPad around, maybe that might work.


-- JDee


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Aug 17, 2020 2:45 PM in response to anothersmurf

I'm not sure that's possible. I mean, you can use an separate external monitor with your MacBook Air or with your other kinds of Macs, providing you have the right adapters, in closed display mode, and you can use certain iPads as an external monitor utilizing Apple's SideCar feature, but I am not certain that you can use one laptop, open, as an external monitor for a second open laptop.


But if it can be done, someone on here has no doubt done it and they'll swoop in for sure. :-) Otherwise, if you have a SIdeCar compatible iPad around, maybe that might work.


-- JDee


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How do I use a MacBook as an external monitor?

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