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I was following the instructions here:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592

which say to press CommandF2 and that works fine when I use my Apple keyboard. However, I want to connect my Apple keyboard to my MacBook Pro so I wanted to use some other keyboard to enable target display mode (i.e display my MacBook Pro on my iMac).

I obviously opened the keyboard viewer on the imac to make sure I am pressing CommandF2 and I am. However, it still doesn't allow me to connect my MacBook to my iMac.

The instructions on that support page do not really suggest how to fix them though they do have a list of things to be done. I tried all the F1,...etc.

Anyway, is there a way to connect my MacBook Pro with a 3rd party keyboard?

I did noticed that despite me pressing F2 on the Mac keyboard the keyboard view did say I did press F2 but in the Mac it DOES say I press CommandF2 on the keyboard viewer. Odd.

Some instructions on that page if CommandF2 doesn't work:

If Command-F2 doesn't work If your iMac doesn't switch to Target Display Mode when you press Command-F2, check these things:

Make sure that the iMac you're trying to use as a display supports Target Display Mode. Target Display Mode works only when your primary Mac is logged in to a macOS user account. For example, if your first Mac is at the FileVault login screen, pressing Command-F2 on your iMac does not enable Target Display Mode. You must first log in to your Mac (using a regular display, if necessary) before you can use an iMac in Target Display Mode. Make sure that you're pressing Command-F2 on the keyboard that's connected to the iMac you want to use as a display. In Keyboard System Preferences, if the checkbox is enabled for "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys," the key combination changes to Command-Fn-F2. Make sure that your Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable is connected to both computers. If you're currently logged in on the iMac you want to use as a display, try logging out to return to the login window. Then press Command-F2 again. Some older Apple keyboards and third-party keyboards might not allow Command-F2 to toggle display modes. If this happens, use the keyboard that came with your iMac to toggle Target Display Mode on and off. If your iMac is currently started up in Windows, it won't enter Target Display Mode. Target Display Mode isn't supported in Boot Camp.

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  • What brand and model is this other keyboard. Wired or wireles?
    – historystamp
    Dec 20, 2018 at 3:23
  • @historystamp wireless dell though Im not sure what the model is there are so many things on the back... is M/N:Y-RAQ-DEL2 the model?
    – Charlie Parker
    Dec 20, 2018 at 3:30
  • @historystamp I did noticed that despite me pressing F2 on the mac keyboard the keyboard view did say I did press F2 but in the mac it DOES say I press F2 on the keyboard viewer. Odd.
    – Charlie Parker
    Dec 20, 2018 at 3:34

2 Answers 2

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Technically speaking, you're not pressing F2 (yes, it's labeled "F2), you're actually pressing "Brightness Up." To actually get the "F2", you have to press fnF2

You can confirm with with a utility called xev which will display the scan codes of what you're typing. The actual "F2" comes up as scan code 128 and will do so on both your Apple (when pressing the fn) and Dell keyboards.

Since you've already tried turning off "use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard functions keys", your keyboard doesn't support this. You most likely need an Apple keyboard or at minimum, a keyboard with "enhanced" function keys; with a fn to change the function.

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  • Karabiner-Elements also display the scan codes of what you're typing, at EventViewer.
    – pinei
    Jul 4, 2020 at 16:23
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Like Allan said, when you pressing F2 (yes, it's labeled "F2), you're actually pressing "Brightness Up." Most 3rd party keyboards in the market are made for windows, they actually don't have the key of "Brightness Up" button. In order to get the "Brightness up" button, you will need to install a software to remap the keyboard, like Karabiner-Elements, it will help you remap your F2 to Brighteness Up. After modify the button, you would able to activate the target Display Mode with any keyboard you have.

Hope that helps.

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  • Worked for me with a logitech keyboard
    – pinei
    Jul 3, 2020 at 18:11

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