Use iPad as a second display for your Mac

: June 7, 2024
: Apple

Table of Contents

Use iPad as a second display for your Mac

Use iPad as a second display for your Mac

With Sidecar, you can extend the workspace of your Mac by using iPad as a second display. The extended workspace allows you to do the following:

Use different apps on the different screens.
Use the same app on both screens. For example, you can view your artwork on your Mac screen while you use Apple Pencil and an app’s tools and palettes on iPad.
Mirror the screens so that Mac and iPad display the same content.

Sidecar requires macOS 10.15 or later and iPadOS 13 or later on supported models.

Use Sidecar

Make sure you’re signed in with the same Apple ID on your Mac and a nearby iPad.
Use one of the following connections:
- Wireless: Make sure your Mac and your iPad have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. They need to be within Bluetooth range of one another (about 33 feet or 10 meters).
- USB:Connect your Mac and iPad using the appropriate USB cable.
Click the AirPlay menu in the menu bar on your Mac, then choose your iPad.
Do any of the following:
- Use the Sidecar menu on Mac: You can easily change how you work with iPad from the Sidecar menu in the menu bar. For example, switch between using iPad as a mirrored or separate display, or show or hide the sidebar or Touch Bar on iPad.
- Move windows from Mac to iPad: Drag a window to the edge of the screen until the pointer appears on your iPad. Or hold the pointer over the green button in the top-left corner of the window, then choose Move to [ iPad name ].
- Move windows from iPad to Mac: Drag a window to the edge of the screen until the pointer appears on your Mac. Or hold the pointer over the green button in the top-left corner of the window, then choose Move Window Back to Mac.
- Use the sidebar on iPad: With your finger or Apple Pencil, tap icons in the sidebar to show or hide the menu bar , the Dock , or the keyboard . Or tap one or more modifier keys, such as Ctrl , 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 you turn on “Enable double tap on Apple Pencil” in Sidecar preferences on your Mac, you can double-tap the lower section of your Apple Pencil (2nd generation) to switch drawing tools in some apps.

  *  _Use standard gestures on iPad:_ Use your fingers to tap, touch and hold, swipe, scroll, and zoom.
  *  _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, tap the Sidecar icon in the Dock on your iPad.

When you’re ready to stop using your iPad, tap the Disconnect icon at the bottom of the sidebar on iPad.

You can also disconnect from the Sidecar menu in the menu bar and in Sidecar preferences and Displays preferences on your Mac.

Change Sidecar preferences

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Sidecar.
Choose from the following options:
- Show, move, or hide the sidebar on your iPad: To show the sidebar, select Show Sidebar, then to move it, click the pop-up menu and choose a location. To hide the sidebar, deselect Show Sidebar.
- Show, move, or hide the Touch Bar on your iPad: To show the Touch Bar, select Show Touch Bar, then to move it, click the pop-up menu and choose a location. To hide the Touch Bar, deselect Show Touch Bar.

When you use an app that supports the Touch Bar on your iPad, the Touch Bar is shown in the location you specified. The buttons available in the Touch Bar vary depending on the current app and task.

  *  _Enable double tap on Apple Pencil:_ Select this option to be able to double-tap the lower section of Apple Pencil (2nd generation) to [switch drawing tools in some apps](https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/draw-with-apple-pencil-ipadc55b6c7a/14.0/ipados/14.0#iPaded1059ba).
  *  _Choose which iPad to connect to:_ If you have more than one available iPad, click the “Connect to” pop-up menu, then choose the iPad you want.