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If you want to use your iMac monitor with a mount, you may need to remove the stand. Thankfully, this process is easy to do with just a few tools. However, these steps only work if you have a 27-inch iMac from before 2012. Newer iMacs do not allow you to remove the stand, but you can purchase adapters that let you connect your iMac to a mount without removing the stand. In this article, we'll go over how to remove your iMac stand, as well as what type of adapters you need for newer iMacs without removable stands. Read on to learn more.
Removing a Pre-2012 27" iMac Stand: Quick Steps
- Turn off the computer and unplug all cables.
- Place the screen down on a soft, flat surface.
- Insert a thin card into the top of the stand to release the latch.
- Push the stand down to lock it into place and reveal the screws.
- Use a TORX tool to unscrew the stand.
Steps
-
Turn off the computer and make sure all cords are disconnected. You don't want to accidentally damage the computer, so you'll definitely need to make sure the iMac is off and disconnected.[1]- Note: These steps only work for pre-2012 27-inch iMacs. If you have a different-size iMac, or if your iMac is from 2012 or newer, the stand cannot be removed unless you disassemble the entire monitor (which is not recommended).
-
Place the iMac screen down on a soft surface and lift the stand so the screen rotates down. When the screen is rotated down, the latch inside the stand will be exposed and easier to access. -
Release the latch inside the stand. You'll need to use a thin card, like a store loyalty card (not a credit card) or a business card, to slide into the gap where the stand meets the back of the iMac.- Feel for a spring latch inside the gap, about ¾ of an inch in. If your card goes in more than that, you'll need to remove your card and try again.
- When you hear a quiet snap, you can continue.[2]
-
Push the stand down until it locks. After you hear the click that the stand is locked, push it down until it locks into place at the bottom. At the top of the stand, you'll see a row of screws revealed.[3] -
Remove the screws with the TORX tool. You'll need to unscrew about eight screws to remove the stand from your iMac.[4]- You can buy one from the Apple Store, or one should have come in the VESA kit you bought. If you don't have access to either of those sources, you can easily find one for cheap from online retailers.[5]
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Lift the stand off the iMac. Once you remove all eight screws, you'll need to lift the stand off the iMac to remove it.[6]- To re-attach the stand to your iMac, follow these instructions from the end to the beginning.
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/shut-down-or-restart-your-mac-mchlp2522/mac
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjnAEnPmbEg
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFSyl9_9OvU
- ↑ https://itstillworks.com/remove-stand-24inch-imac-7332964.html
- ↑ https://youtu.be/uX4cNQYP_xc?t=71
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=80&v=Cmm7jWU-g2s&feature=emb_logo
About This Article
1. Turn off the computer and make sure all cords are disconnected.
2. Place the iMac screen-down on a soft surface and lift the stand so the screen rotates down.
3. Release the latch inside the stand.
4. Push the stand down until it locks.
5. Remove the screws.
6. Lift the stand off the iMac.
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