Turning the iPad into a second display for a Mac is the sort of proposition that tickled my fancy right from the day one I put my hands on the behemoth 12.9-inch iPad Pro. While I could use third-party services like Air Display 3 ($9.99) and Luna Display ($49.99) to fill up the void, I was kind of longing for a native offering.
Better late than never, Apple has introduced Sidecar to provide an official way to use the iPad as a secondary monitor. And from what I have experienced, it’s right on the money. So, if you are willing to give this feature a shot, let me walk you through the complete breakdown!
How to Use Your iPad As A Secondary Monitor for Mac
Make sure that your Mac and iPad Meet the Sidecar System Requirements
First things first, make sure both your Mac and iPad are fully onboard. I mean to ensure that the iDevices are compatible with Sidecar.
The Below-Mentioned Macs Running macOS Catalina Support Sidecar:
- MacBook Pro introduced in 2016 or later
- MacBook 2016 or later
- MacBook Air 2018 or later
- iMac 2017 or later
- iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
- iMac Pro
- Mac mini introduced in 2018 or later
- Mac Pro 2019
The Following iPads Running iPadOS 13 are Compatible with Sidecar
- iPad Pro: All models
- iPad 6th generation or later
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
Other Essential Requirements:
- Both Mac and iPad must be signed in with the same Apple ID
- Two-factor authentication must be enabled on both the devices
On iPad: Settings → Profile → Password & Security. Now, make sure Two-Factor Authentication is enabled.
On Mac: System Preferences → Apple ID → Password & Security. Now, be sure Two-Factor Authentication is enabled.
- When using Sidecar wirelessly, make sure both the devices are within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other
- Ensure that Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff are enabled on both the macOS and iPadOS Devices
On iPad: Open Settings app → General → AirPlay & Handoff → Handoff.
On Mac: Open System Preferences → General → Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.
- Ensure that the iPad and Mac are not sharing the cellular/internet connection
- When using Sidecar over USB, ensure that your iPad is set to trust the Mac
Side Note: Though Sidecar works pretty well wirelessly, you might not get the desired picture quality at times. There could also be stuttering issues due to poor internet connection. If it’s the case, try using Sidecar over the wired connection.
Set Up Sidecar on Mac
Step #1. First off, click on the AirPlay icon located in the menu bar on your Mac.
Step #2. Now, select the option to connect to your iPad.
Sticky Note:
- If the AirPlay icon doesn’t show up in the menu bar, click on the Apple() menu at the top left corner → System Preferences → Displays pane. Now, ensure that “Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available” is checked off
- If Sidecar is not working or you run into some miscellaneous issues, check out this troubleshooting guide
The iPad will now appear as an extension of your Mac. Now, go ahead use the tablet like any other display.
Move a Window to your iPad Display
To move a window to or from your iPad display, hover your pointer over the full-screen button of a window. It not only resizes the window perfectly but also works faster than the dragging option.
Use Sidebar on Mac
With the help of the sidebar, you can carry out many commonly-performed tasks faster. Thanks to the availability of Command, Shift, and other modifier keys, you get the flexibility to select commonly used commands with your finger or Apple Pencil. For a more personalized experience, you can also use Sidecar preferences to turn off the sidebar or even tweak its position.
- Downward arrow: Tap on it to show or hide the menu bar when viewing a window in full screen on the iPad
- Command: You can touch and hold to set the Command key. To lock the key, simply double-tap on it
- Option: Likewise, touch and hold to set the Option key. And if you want to lock it up, just double-tap on it
- Control: Again, touch and hold to set the Control key and if you want to lock it up, double-tap on it
- Shift: To set the shift key, touch and hold. And double-tap on it, if you want to lock the key
- Keyboard icon: Tap on the keyboard icon to show/hide the onscreen keyboard
- Undo: Tap on the left arrow to undo the last action
- Disconnect: Tap on the disconnect icon to end the Sidecar session
Customize Sidebar in macOS
Based on your needs, you can hide/show the sidebar on your Mac. Click on the Apple() menu → System Preferences → Sidecar.
Now, click on the drop-down menu next to Show Sidebar option and then choose to show it on the left or right side of your iPad screen. If you don’t need it, uncheck the box to turn it off.
Get the Most Out of Smooth Gestures
In a typical Apple fashion, Sidecar offers several smooth gestures to simplify the whole affair. So, if you want to get your work done efficiently, make sure to get a good hang of them.
Better still, you can also use gestures for scrolling. As for other multitasking gestures, they work in the same way when using Sidecar.
- Scroll: Use two fingers to swipe
- Copy: Simply, pinch in with three fingers
- Cut: All you need to do is pinch in with three fingers twice
- Paste: Simply, pinch out using three fingers
- Undo: Just swipe left with three fingers. Alternately, you can also double-tap with three fingers
- Redo: Just, swipe right with three fingers or double-tap with three fingers
Use the Touch Bar on iPad
One of my favorite features about Sidecar is the ability to use the Touch Bar on the iPad.
Unlike before, several macOS apps support Touch Bar controls that make it pretty easy to perform common actions. What’s more, you will get Touch Bar on your iPad screen even if your Mac doesn’t support it.
Not to mention, it works in the same way as the Touch Bar on Mac. So, you can tap its controls using a finger or Apple Pencil to get your work done faster.
Depending on your needs, you can make the Touch Bar appear on the bottom or top of your iPad screen. And if you aren’t a fan of it, you can also turn it off. To do so, open System Preferences → Sidecar. Now, customize the Touch Bar feature as per your needs.
Sticky Note: Just in case, Touch Bar doesn’t show up when using an app that supports Touch Bar controls, click on Apple() menu → System Preferences → Mission Control. Now ensure that “Displays have separate Spaces” option is checked off.
Make the Most of Your Apple Pencil
In what could be pretty handy for the folks who like using Apple Pencil, Sidecar also supports double-tap gesture.
Enable double tap on Apple Pencil: Click on Apple() menu → System Preferences → Sidecar → Now, check the box for Enable double tap on Apple Pencil.
Going forward, you can perform custom actions by double-tapping on the side of the Apple Pencil (2nd generation). In short, your digital pen can work as a handy mouse/trackpad to let you click, point or select while editing images, drawing, and even navigating from one spot to the other.
End the Sidecar Session
Go back to the AirPlay menu and select the option to disconnect. Alternatively, click on the Disconnect button in the sidebar on your iPadOS device.
Wrapping Up…
There you go! So, that’s how you can get the most out of Sidecar and use the iPadOS device as a handy display for your Mac. Both in terms of flexibility and productivity, I find it a welcome addition. And I’m sure your story may be pretty much on the same line.
You May Also Want to Catch Up With These Articles:
- Best Apple Pencil Apps for iPad
- How to Unlock Your Mac With Apple Watch
- How to Use Mouse with iPad in iPadOS
So, what’s your take on Sidecar? Be sure to shoot your views in the comment below.
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