A second monitor connected to your computer can be a great way to increase productivity, but what if you don’t have one? What if you instead have an iPad? You’re in luck, because it can be used as a second screen on both Macs and Windows-based PCs.
All the steps for setting up your iPad as a second display are listed below. It’s simpler than you think.
The Sidecar feature, which debuted in MacOS Catalina, enables Mac users to extend or mirror their primary display to an iPad. It’s preferable to purchasing an expensive second display if you already own Apple’s premium tablet, which has an excellent display on its own. The only issue is that Sidecar is not available on all Macs and iPads.
Here’s the official list to see if your Apple devices are compatible:
MacBook Pro 2016 and later
2018 MacBook Air or later
2016 MacBook Pro and later
2018 and later Mac minis
2017 and later iMacs
In late 2015, an iMac with a 27-inch 5K screen was released.
2017 and newer iMac Pro
2019 and newer Mac Pros
iPad 6th generation and later
iPad mini 5th generation and later
iPad Air 3rd Generation and later
All iPad Pro models.
To use Sidecar, ensure that both the Mac and the iPad are signed in with the same Apple ID. Also, because constant screen use will drain the battery, connect the iPad to an electrical outlet or USB charging port. Sidecar is not dependent on a physical wired connection.
For MacOS Big Sur or later, follow these steps.
Step 1: On the menu bar, click the Control Center icon.
Step 2: Select the Display option.
Step 3: Select your iPad from the list of devices listed under the Connect To heading.
For MacOS Catalina, follow these steps.
Step 1: Select the AirPlay icon from the menu bar.
Step 2: From the drop-down menu, select your iPad.
Step 3: If you don’t see the AirPlay icon, try these steps:
On the Dock, select the System Preferences icon.
Click the Displays button.
When available, select Show Mirroring Options in the Menu Bar.
By default, your Mac’s desktop should extend to the iPad’s screen. Isn’t it simple? You can now have a larger desktop, and when you take a screenshot, MacOS captures both screens, not just the primary display connected to your Mac.
Before closing the panel, you can make changes to the Sidecar settings. You can get to these settings whenever you want by doing the following:
Step 1: In the Dock, click the System Preferences icon.
Step 2: Choose Sidecar.
Step 3: On both your Mac and your iPad
On a Mac:
Display the Sidebar on the left or right side of the page.
Display the Touch Bar at the bottom or top of the screen.
Double tap with the Apple Pencil can be enabled or disabled.
On an iPad:
Choose Default or Scaled for Display.
Modify the color profile.
To mirror the Mac’s screen or make other changes, perform the following steps:
Step 1: On the menu bar, click the Display icon.
Step 2: Choose Mirror Built-In Retina Display to copy the desktop to the iPad or Use as Separate Display to extend the desktop to the iPad.
Step 3: Choose whether to show or hide the sidebar.
Step 4: Choose whether to show or hide the touch bar.
MacOS, like Windows 10, handles multiple displays in two ways. The second display simply mirrors the primary display in Mirror Mode. Despite appearing on two displays, this setup keeps all apps and programs confined within a single defined virtual space.
Extend divides the desktop into two screens. This is ideal for presentations and watching media because the second screen can display media while you work on the main screen.
To turn off screen sharing, click the Display icon in the menu bar. Then, next to the connected iPad, click the blue icon.
The iPad will return to its original Home screen and sleep. The Display icon in the menu bar of your Mac will be removed.
Duet Display costs $10 in the App Store and provides an excellent multimonitor experience for Windows 10 and older Macs. If you frequently travel with both a laptop and an iPad, you should think about purchasing one.
Duet Display also offers a premium feature subscription as an option. It is known as Duet Air, and it enables wireless display connectivity, remote desktop connectivity, priority support, and monthly updates and upgrades. Duet Air costs $20 per year, with the Duet Pro subscription adding even more.
Check out this comparison of the three.
Duet Display setup necessitates the use of free desktop software, a $10 iPad app, and a wired connection between the two devices. Connect the tablet while both types of software are running to see your PC’s desktop expand to its screen.
You can change the frame rate, performance, and screen resolution on the desktop client. Keep in mind, however, that the higher the settings, the harder your PC works.
To switch the iPad display between Mirror and Extended mode, simply do the following (on Windows 10):
1. In the Action Center, click the Notifications icon on the taskbar, then the All Settings tile.
2. Choose a System.
3. If the category does not appear by default, select Display.
4. Click the thumbnail for the tablet that appears under Rearrange Your Displays.
5. Click the Down arrow under Multiple Displays to select Extend Desktop to This Display or Duplicate Desktop on This Display, whichever you prefer.
In general, the default settings should be sufficient. If it’s running slowly on an older computer, try lowering the resolution or frame rate to speed things up.
It’s worth noting that you can switch to other iPad apps while Windows 10 is streaming to its screen and then return to Duet Display without losing connection.
In addition, we were able to draw with an Apple Pencil, GIMP, and the free service, eliminating the need for a Wacom pen tablet. To use the Apple Pen’s pressure and tilt control features, you’ll need the Duet Pro subscription, which costs $30 per year.
Splashtop Wired XDisplay works well with Windows 10 and older Macs. It’s not as stable as Duet Display, but it’s a free option. You’re better off paying $10 for the Duet Display app, but if you’re short on cash, this could suffice.
Splashtop Wired XDisplay necessitates the installation of iTunes for Windows, the XDisplay Agent desktop software, and an iPad app. After you’ve installed all three, make sure the desktop software is running, connect the iPad to your computer via USB, and then launch the XDisplay app on your tablet.
Your iPad will display a blank desktop. You can then rearrange your monitors from your computer’s display settings, drag windows to your iPad, and use it as a second monitor as you would expect.
“If you’ve tried these steps and still need some assistance, we’re just around the corner. Schedule a repair at our website or call us directly at +1(713) 547-5782 and our certified experts will have your device up and running as soon as the next day.”
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