Use your iPad as a second display for your Mac (2024)

macOS Sequoia 15

macOS Sonoma 14

macOS Ventura 13

macOS Monterey 12

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macOS Catalina 10.15

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Resources for your Mac
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Copyright

Use your iPad as a second display for your Mac (1)

With Sidecar, you can extend the workspace of your Mac by using your iPad as a second display. The extended workspace allows you to use different apps on the different screens, or to use the same app across both screens, but control different aspects of it. For example, when you use the same app on both screens, you can view your artwork on your Mac while you use ApplePencil and an app’s tools and palettes on iPad.

Use your iPad as a second display for your Mac (2)

Before you begin

Make sure of the following:

Both devices have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, and Handoff turned on.
You’re signed in to the same Apple Account on both devices.
The devices must be within 30 feet (10 meters) of each other.
See Also
Here are the devices that will support Apple Intelligence — no older iPhones allowed
Both devices meet minimum system requirements for Sidecar.

Set up Sidecar

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Displays in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
Open Displays settings for me
You can also connect your Mac and iPad using a USB cable. You can use the USB cable that came with your iPad or another cable that matches the ports on your Mac and iPad.
Click on the right, then choose your iPad.
To change Sidecar options (for example, to show a sidebar or Touch Bar on your iPad or extend or mirror your Mac display) choose your iPad in Displays, then choose from the available options.
You can also adjust the arrangement of your Mac and iPad displays. Click Arrange, then drag your displays into a new position.
Tip: You can use Control Center to set up Sidecar. Click in the menu bar, click Screen Mirroring, then choose your iPad. You can adjust some Display settings here, or click Display Settings for more options.

Use Sidecar with your Mac or iPad

Do any of the following:

Move windows between Mac and iPad: Drag a window to the edge of the screen until the pointer appears on the other device. Or while using an app, choose Window > “Move to.”
Use the sidebar on iPad: With your finger or Apple Pencil, tap icons in the sidebar to show or hide the menu bar, show or hide the Dock, or show the onscreen keyboard . Or tap one or more modifier keys, such as Control , to use keyboard shortcuts.
Use the Touch Bar on iPad: With your finger or Apple Pencil, tap any button in the Touch Bar. The buttons available vary depending on the app or task.
Use Apple Pencil on iPad: With your Apple Pencil, tap to select items such as menu commands, checkboxes, or files. If your Apple Pencil supports it (and you selected the option in Displays settings), you can double-tap the lower section of your Apple Pencil to switch drawing tools in some apps. See the Apple Support article Pair Apple Pencil with your iPad.
Use gestures on iPad: Use basic gestures, such as tap, swipe, scroll, and zoom, as well as gestures for entering and editing text. See the Learn basic gestures to interact with iPad.
On iPad, switch between the Mac desktop and the iPad Home Screen: To show the Home Screen, swipe up from the bottom edge of your iPad. To return to the Mac desktop, swipe up, then tap .

Turn off Sidecar

When you’re ready to stop using your iPad as a second display for your Mac, do one of the following:

On a Mac: Click in the menu bar, click Display, then deselect your iPad from the list below “Mirror or extend to.”
On an iPad: Tap at the bottom of the sidebar.

If Sidecar isn’t working

Make sure you’re signed into both devices with the same Apple Account on both devices.
Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Make sure that your devices are within 30 feet (10 meters) of one another,
For more troubleshooting tips, see the Sidecar system requirements in the Apple Support article Use an iPad as a second display for a Mac.

See alsoUse Continuity to work across Apple devicesApple Support article: Use an iPad as a second display for a MacApple Support article: Mac keyboard shortcuts

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