If there ’s one thing that ’s better than the Retina show on your MacBook or iMac , it ’s plug in a 2d screen . That ’s all very well if you have a extra screen , or the immediate payment for an additional display , but what if you do n’t ? Can you utilize your iPad as a second monitor ? The reply is , yes , you may .
It ’s actually been something you may do for some clock time . First via third - political party software system and then after the launching of macOS Catalina in 2019 when Apple introduced the Sidecar feature , which mean that the screen of a compatible iPad could be pick out as a display for a compatible Macs .
In macOS Monterey that start out even better with Universal Control , which although delayed from the initial launch of Monterey in 2021 , eventually arrived with macOS 12.3 in March 2022 . With Universal control you may move your mouse between the Mac and iPad blind ( and 2d Mac ) screen and habituate the same keyboard with both devices .
Thedifference between Universal Control and Sidecaris that with Universal Control you could use the keyboard and mouse with your iPad as if it is an iPad still . But with Sidecar the iPad becomes a secondary screen for the Mac – showing the Mac interface . If you want the iPad to stay on an iPad while you are using it readHow to use Universal Control .
In this clause , we ’ll seem at what you ’ll need to utilise your iPad as a second screen for your Mac , and also how you may habituate your iPad as a second screen if you ’re iPad or Mac do not support the feature .
Note that if you want to display your iPad screenland on your Mac or divvy up your iPad sieve to your Mac , you need to read a unlike tutorial . See : How to AirPlay from iPhone / iPad to Mac .
Can I use my iPad as a display for my Mac?
Before we explicate what you need to do to use your iPad as a display for your Mac you need to check that both your Mac and iPad support the feature as not all Macs and iPad can apply Sidecar or Universal Control .
You ’ll need the following for Sidecar :
iPads that work with Sidecar:
Macs that work with Sidecar:
How to use your iPad as a second screen for your Mac
usurp you have the proper equipment ( as per the lean above ) you will be able-bodied to apply your iPad as a 2d screen for your Mac , either mirroring it or protract your display so that you may fit in even more windows . you’re able to choose to plug the iPad directly into the Mac or connect it wirelessly using Bluetooth and Continuity ( within a range of 10 m ) . There ’s not much of a conflict in terms of delay , but you might find out your iPad barrage lasts a little longer if secure in .
Use Sidecar to extend a Mac to an iPad screen
set up up the iPad as a second display is , in typical Apple stylus , evenhandedly straightforward .
verify your iPad is unlocked and the screen on before you begin ( if your iPad release itself off after a second it ’s worth set this while you are getting set up ) .
macOS Monterey 12.4 or later
Pre macOS Monterey 12.4
The process is slightly different if you are n’t run Monterey 12.4 of afterwards .
Use Sidecar to mirror a Mac to an iPad screen
If you need to Mirror the display , perhaps because you want to walk away from your Mac and show someone something on your screen , using the iPad as a mirrored display might suit you . But note you ca n’t use touch to command the user interface so you wo n’t be capable to abstract and water tap , you ’ll need the mouse and keyboard .
To mirror your Mac display to your iPad do the following :
Other features of Sidecar
There ’s much more to Sidecar than simply extending your workspace . Other feature article include :
The follow iPads can be used as graphics tablet ( with Apple Pencil 2 ):
How to use an iPad as a second display on older Macs
But what if you have a Mac that does n’t stick out Sidecar or Universal Control ? There are some third - party tools that allow you to use your iPad as a monitor for your Mac , but unlike Apple ’s built - in choice , these are paid - for apps .
What you’ll need
Note that macOS 10.13.4 ( High Sierra ) broke some of the DisplayLink functionality that these apps swear on , but that government issue was solve with the release of macOS Mojave 10.14.2 , so it should n’t be a problem now – as long as you are n’t running that version of High Sierra .
How to use Duet Display to connect a Mac and iPad
In this representative , we ’re usingDuet Display , which was grow by a squad of ex - Apple engineers . Duet Display allows you to use the tablet as a second showing not just on your Mac , but a personal computer too .
Duet Display also offer circumscribed touchscreen support , provide you to tapdance and swipe your elbow room around macOS . It mean you do n’t have to pass your time move your black eye between the two screens , which becomes especially laborious when using a trackpad and again , enables exploiter to be more fertile .
We ’ll show you how to set up Duet display to use your iPad ( or any other iPad or iPhone ) as a 2d display for your Mac or PC .
Here ’s an overview of how to use your iPad Pro as a second exhibit using Duet Display :
If you are using your Mac with an outside screen and need to shut the chapeau on your MacBook , here’show to use MacBook with the lid close , and For more Mac backsheesh , take a look at ourtop Mac tips , tricks and timesavers .
