It is no secret that everyone enjoys additional screen real estate. It is also no secret that an additional monitor for your Mac or PC can cost a lot. But here’s the good news – if you have an iPad lying around, you may not need to purchase an additional display. Sure, the iPad isn’t as massive as a separate monitor but it can make a significant contribution to your primary display. So, here are the top 3 ways to use your iPad as a second monitor or display for your Mac or Windows PC.
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In This Article
Which method is the best for you?
There are three major native ways of linking your iPad to your Mac – Sidecar, Universal Control, and Stage Manager. Each method carries its own purpose and advantages. Let’s take a brief look at all of them.
Sidecar: If you want to extend your Mac’s display to your iPad, Sidecar is the function you are looking for. This will allow you to move a window from your Mac to your iPad by simply dragging it with your cursor. There are a bunch of accessibility options you can use on the sidebar of your iPad as well. Need to sign a quick document? Simply drag the window to your iPad and use your Apple Pencil for the task. You can drag the document back to your Mac if you want to continue using it on a bigger screen.
Universal Control: This feature allows you to use your Mac’s mouse, trackpad, and keyboard on your iPad as well. If you simply wanna transfer files back and forth between the two devices, this is the function that you should be using. Once Universal Control is turned on, you drag a picture or file from your Mac and simply drop it on any open conversation on your iPad to transfer it. It’s that easy.
Stage Manager: What if you want to use your iPad on a bigger screen? Stage Manager not only allows you multitasking options, but it also supports adding another display to your iPad. You can resize the windows however you want and move any app to an external display. The only catch is that your iPad is still the primary device.
Use Sidecar to use your iPad as a second monitor or display for your Mac
Before you begin, make sure you are logged into both devices with the same Apple ID and that WiFi, Bluetooth, and Handoff are turned on. You can also choose to connect the two devices with a USB cable for a wired connection.
Step 1: On your Mac, hit the Apple menu at the top right corner of the screen and select System Settings/Preferences.
Step 2: Select Displays from the sidebar.
Step 3: Hit the plus icon on the right and select your iPad.
Step 4: Once your Mac is connected to your iPad, you will notice the Sidecar menu appear on the top menu.
Step 5: Click on the Sidecar option and select ‘Use as a separate display’. You can also choose to mirror your Mac’s display on the iPad.
Step 6: Now go to Displays in System Settings on your Mac to choose where you want the sidebar on your iPad to appear. This depends on whether your iPad is placed on the left or right side of the Mac. You can also choose to enable Apple Pencil controls for your iPad in this window.
Use Universal Control
Step 1: On your Mac, click on the Apple menu at the top right corner of the screen and select System Settings/Preferences.
Step 2: Click on Displays.
Step 3: Click the Advanced button at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4: Turn on ‘Allow your pointer and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad’.
Step 5: On your iPad, open the Settings app.
Step 6: Select General.
Step 7: Tap on Airplay & Handoff.
Step 8: Enable Cursor and Keyboard.
Step 9: Place your Mac and iPad next to each other. Move your mouse or trackpad towards the edge of the screen that is next to the iPad.
Step 10: Once the cursor moves past your Mac, it will start to appear on your iPad. Move the cursor all the way through to enable Universal Control.
If you can’t move the cursor to your iPad, go to Apple menu>System Preferences>Displays>Arrange on your Mac to sort it out.
Use a third-party app to use your iPad as a second display or monitor for your Windows PC
Sidecar and Universal Control are excellent features to use your iPad as a second screen for your computer, but the only catch is that they only work on Apple devices. If you own a Windows PC or laptop, you will have to rely on third-party apps for the same task. Duet Display, Splashtop, and iDisplay are some of our favourite apps to bridge the Apple and Windows divide. These apps cut down the latency issues to a minimum, offering seamless connectivity between the two devices.
Once you have installed the iPad app and desktop agent, you need to connect the two devices to a common WiFi network. You can also choose to connect the iPad and your Windows PC/laptop using a USB cable. Your PC will automatically pop up in the display app installed on your iPad. Tap on it to connect the two devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I wirelessly use my iPad as a second monitor or display for my Mac?
Yes, Apple’s ‘Sidecar’ feature allows you to extend your Mac’s display to your iPad. On your Mac, go to System Preferences>Display>Plus icon and select your iPad. From the Sidecar options, select that you want to use your iPad as a second display.
How do I control my iPad with my MacBook’s keyboard and trackpad?
To drag and drop files between your Mac and iPad, you will need to turn on Universal Control. Once that’s done, you can freely control both devices with a common mouse, trackpad, and keyboard and even transfer files by simply dragging and dropping them.
How do I use my iPad as a second display for my Windows PC?
You will need to install a third-party app like Splashtop, Duet Display, or iDisplay to use your iPad as a second display for your Windows PC.
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Conclusion
This is how you can use your iPad as a second monitor or display for your Mac or Windows PC. Sidecar and Universal Control are great options for digital artists and graphic designers who prefer using an Apple Pencil for their drawings but also want a bigger display. By connecting your iPad and Mac, you can have the best of both worlds. Read this article to find out how you can use your Android tablet as a second display.
