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How To Use iPad As A Mac Monitor: Check Device Compatibility

Dual monitor setups help with organization, multitasking, and overall efficiency and productivity, which is why a lot of people are ready to spend hundreds of dollars on a second monitor. But if you already have an iPad and a Mac, then you don’t need to spend any additional money to build a two-monitor setup. 

You can use your iPad as a Mac monitor using Sidecar — a feature that’s already available on compatible iPads (iPadOS 13 or later) and Macs (macOS Catalina or later). If your devices aren’t compatible, you can use the third-party app Splashtop Wired XDisplay to extend your desktop onto your iPad.  

You can use your iPad-turned-second monitor to send emails, browse the web, conduct video calls, and even draw with your stylus. Let’s take a closer look at how you can use your iPad as a monitor for Mac, so you’re not confined to just one screen for your next big project. 

Can You Use Your iPad as a Monitor for Mac?

Realistic 3d design of mock up template of empty white monitor screen for your design

You can easily use your iPad as an extra iMac (both on Amazon) monitor without downloading or paying for any additional software. In fact, you only need a compatible iPad and Mac to connect the two devices and use the iPad as an additional display for your computer.  

Keep in mind that both your devices also need to support Sidecar — the feature that allows you to set up your iPad as a monitor for the Mac. Your Mac must also have macOS Catalina or later and be one of the following models: 

  • MacBook introduced in or after 2016
  • MacBook Pro introduced in or after 2016
  • iMac introduced in or after 2017 (27-inch, Retina 5K, Late 2015)
  • MacBook Air introduced in or after 2018
  • Mac Mini introduced in or after 2018
  • Mac Pro introduced in or after 2019
  • Mac Studio

Your iPad must also have iPadOS 13 or later, and be one of these models: 

  • iPad Pro – all models 
  • iPad – 6th gen onwards
  • iPad Mini – 5th gen onwards
  • iPad Air – 3rd gen onwards

Additional Requirements

  • Make sure you update both of your devices to the latest available software to avoid any problems.
  • Both your iPad and Mac must be signed in with the same Apple ID, using two-factor authorization. Remember that managed Apple IDs are not supported with Sidecar.
  • If you’re planning on going wireless, place the two devices within 30 feet, or 10 meters, of each other. You can also connect your iPad to the Mac with a USB cable. This will allow you to charge your iPad while you use it as a second display. 
  • Make sure your Mac isn’t sharing its WiFi connection and that your iPad’s hotspot is turned off.
  • Set your iPad to trust your Mac if you’ve connected both devices with a USB cable. 

How to Use an iPad as a Mac Monitor

You can extend or mirror your macOS desktop onto your iPad with Sidecar, which is a feature that already comes built-in to compatible devices. With your iPad’s touch screen controls, you can seamlessly use both devices together and achieve greater efficiency and productivity. 

Share the Entire macOS Desktop to the iPad

The steps you should follow to share your Mac’s desktop to your iPad might vary, depending on your Mac’s software update.

For macOS Monterey

  1. Access the Screen Mirroring menu from the menu bar. 
  2. Select a mirroring option. 

For macOS Big Sur or later

  1. Go to the menu bar at the screen’s top screen. 
  2. Click on the ‘Display’ icon. 
  3. In the drop-down menu, select your iPad. 

For macOS Catalina

  1. Select the Airplay icon in your Mac’s menu bar. 
  2. Choose your iPad. 
  3. If your screen doesn’t display the Airplay icon, select the Apple menu at the top right.
  4. Select ‘System Preferences‘ and then click on ‘Displays.’
  5. Click on ‘Show Mirroring Options’ in the menu bar.

Once you’ve successfully connected your iPad and Mac, you’ll have to choose from a few options in the Airplay/Display menu: 

  • Mirror Built-in Retina Display: This option will allow you to mirror your exact display to your iPad.
  • Use as Separate Display: This allows you to use your iPad as an extension to your Mac. You can easily use your iPad’s display by dragging any files or windows from your computer to the right of the screen, which will move your cursor to the iPad. To get back to your computer, just drag your cursor back to your Mac’s screen. 

Share Just One Mac window to the iPad

Instead of dragging a window over to your tablet, you can quickly share it by following these steps: 

  1. Hover your cursor over the green full-screen icon at the top-left of the window.  
  2. After a second, a ‘Move to iPad‘ option will appear. 
  3. Click on the option to share the window to your iPad.

Use your iPad While It’s Connected to the Mac

Even if you’ve connected the iPad to your Mac to use as a second monitor, you can still exit the Sidecar app and use the iPad as usual. Here’s what you need to do: 

  1. Swipe up to exit the Sidecar app. 
  2. To use the iPad as a second monitor again, tap the Sidecar app (blue icon with two monitors) in the dock.

Use your iPad’s Sidebar

The iPad’s sidebar puts some of the most commonly-used Mac commands on the side of the tablet’s screen. These controls include Shift, Command, and other essential keys, allowing you to access them with your Apple Pencil or finger instead of your keyboard. 

These commands include: 

  • Menu bar: Hide or show the menu bar when you enter full-screen 
  • Dock: Hide or show dock
  • Undo: Undo your last action
  • Keyboard: Hide or show keyboard
  • Command: Double-tap the icon to lock this key
  • Control: Double-tap the icon to lock this key
  • Option: Double-tap the icon to lock this key
  • Shift: Double-tap the icon to lock this key
  • Disconnect: Disconnect your iPad from your Mac

Use Gestures

Along with all the Mac commands, you can also use a couple of swipe gestures to scroll and perform certain actions on your iPad. However, keep in mind that the touchscreen won’t work as usual. Here are some of the gestures you can do:

  • Scroll: Swipe up or down with 2 fingers
  • Cut: Pinch in with 3 fingers twice
  • Copy: Pinch in with 3 fingers
  • Paste: Pinch out with 3 fingers
  • Redo: Swipe right using 3 fingers
  • Undo: Double-tap with 3 fingers, or swipe left using 3 fingers

Use Touch Bar

You might be able to use the iPad’s Touch Bar as well, but only if the application supports it. For example, if you drag Safari over to your iPad, you’ll see controls to flip between tabs, open a completely new tab, type in the search bar, and go forward and back.

In Messages, you’ll see Touch Bar controls to send an emoji, write a new text, and predictive text. However, remember that not every app on your iPad is compatible with the Touch Bar, so it might be limited in its use. 

If you don’t have any use for the Touch Bar or Sidebar controls, you can simply remove them. Here’s what you need to do: 

  1. Click the Display icon in your Mac’s menu bar. 
  2. In the drop-down menu, click on ‘Hide Touch Bar‘ and ‘Hide SideBar‘ (under your connected iPad) to get rid of the controls from your iPad. 

Splashtop Wired XDisplay: An Alternative 

Ipad on the table

If your iPad or Mac doesn’t support Sidecar, you can use Splashtop Wired XDisplay to turn your iPad into a second Mac monitor. This third-party app only works when you’ve connected both the devices with a USB cable, and isn’t the smoothest option available, but it gets the job done adequately for free. 

Splashtop Wired XDisplay is designed with two components: an app for iPadOS and a desktop agent for your Mac. Here’s how you can use the app to set up your iPad as your Mac monitor: 

  1. Install both the iPad and Mac apps, and make sure the desktop app is running.  
  2. Use a USB cable to connect your iPad to the Mac.
  3. Open the XDisplay app on your iPad. 
  4. Once the app establishes a connection to your Mac, it will display a black desktop on your iPad.
     
  5. Use your Mac’s Display settings to rearrange the monitors, and you’re good to go!