Oh convenient! How to use your iPad as a second monitor for your Mac

The iPad is the perfect companion to the MacBook because of its size and portability.

You can use the iPad alone, but over the last few years, third-party apps and dongles have also made the iPad an instant second monitor.

Even if it becomes convenient for such third parties, many users would have thought that there was a reason why Apple did not implement it in the OS by default.

However, the feature "Sidecar" was finally implemented in macOS 10.15 Catalina. It's much easier to use your iPad as a dual-role monitor than before.

What is "Sidecar"?

Simply put, Sidecar allows you to use your iPad as a second monitor for your Mac, whether connected or wireless.

You can set it to the left or right of the main display and use it like any other monitor, but it's not the only one.

Above all, Sidecar takes advantage of the iPad's touch screen.

It's also compatible with Apple Pencil, so it's a great addition to artists who want to expand their creative options.

For those who envy the touch screen of a Windows PC, it's not that far, but it's pretty close.

What you need to use Sidecar

To use Sidecar, you need the software for it on both your Mac and iPad.

For Mac, it's macOS 10.15 Catalina or later.

However, Sidecar is not available on all Macs that can run Catalina.

MacBook: 2016 and later models

MacBook Pro: 2016 and later models

MacBook Air: 2018 and later models

iMac: 27-inch, 5K iMac in 2015, iMac and iMac Pro after 2017

Mac Mini: 2018 and later models

Mac Pro: 2019 and later models

iPad mini / Air: iPad mini 5 or iPad Air 3 or later

iPad: Compatible with 6th generation and later, and any iPad Pro

The naming of Apple's iPad is confusing, so some people may not be able to tell what their iPad is.

If in doubt, check out Apple's Sidecar system requirements.

Set up Sidecar

Unless you have a low battery, you probably want to use Sidecar wirelessly. To use Sidecar, simply click the AirPlay icon in your Mac's menu bar and connect to your iPad.

It's okay if your Mac and iPad are within a distance of about 1 meter. If you can't connect, take a look at the troubleshooting section later in this article.

Sidecar can also be used with a USB connection. In this case, just plug your iPad directly into your Mac. Make sure your iPad is set up as a trusted device on your Mac. If it is not set, you will not be able to connect.

Sidecar can also be used wirelessly, but keep in mind that a direct connection can charge your iPad from your Mac. It's a lot easier than charging with a USB cable.

Once your iPad and Mac are connected, you can choose between screen mirroring and expansion. Most people probably want to extend it.

To switch between left and right display of your Mac or iPad for proper mouse movement, open the System Preferences> Display menu.

Open the Placement tab and drag your iPad to the side of your Mac's display where you actually put it.

How to use Sidecar

Once you connect your iPad with Sidecar, you can use it like any other second monitor.

There are several ways to move a window from the main screen to your iPad. Drag or mouse over the green full-screen button at the top left of the window and select "Move to iPad".

The iPad can display Sidecar with common controls like the Command key, Shift key, and other modifier keys.

This makes it even easier to use your Mac with a touch screen. There's also a Touch Bar at the bottom of the screen that acts like the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar.

You can use it by opening the settings, going to the Sidecar menu and enabling both of these options.

While using Sidecar, you can also use the iPad normally by switching apps.

As you switch apps, you'll notice that the Sidecar app icon is on your home screen.

Tap that icon to return to using your iPad as a monitor.

Sidecar troubleshooting

Apple has made Sidecar easy to use, but it may still cause problems. The good news is that getting Sidecar to work as usual is a simple task.

If you're using Sidecar with your iPad cabled, check the cable. Lightning cables are often delicate, so even if the cable looks okay, you may want to replace it with another one.

Make sure your iPad isn't sharing mobile data, whether wireless or cable. Similarly, you also have to make sure your Mac isn't sharing an internet connection.

For wireless connections, first make sure your iPad and Mac are connected to the same WiFi.

This is one of the biggest problems, especially if you're using a dual-band router. Also make sure you're signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID on both devices.

If that doesn't work, double-check that Bluetooth is enabled on both your iPad and Mac.

In this case, the problem is on the Mac side.

If that doesn't work, try signing out of your Apple ID and then signing in again on both devices.

If everything else works, use Settings> General> Reset iPad or select "Reset All Settings".

This will restore all options to their default settings, but you can fix this mysterious problem.

Sidecar alternative for older versions of the OS

Sidecar is surprisingly useful and I think many people can actually use it, but many people will not be able to use macOS Catalina because it is not available or implemented.

The same is true for the iPad OS 13 in older iPads.

If you're looking for software with features like Sidecar, the $ 9.99 app Duet Display allows you to run iOS 10 or later on your second monitor on any device.

Even better, it works on both Windows and Mac.

Another option is "Luna Display".

It can be used with a $ 79.99 USB-C or Mini DisplayPort dongle and can be a second monitor on your iPad or other Mac.

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Image: Chaay_Tee/Shutterstock.com

Source: Apple, Luna Display

Original Article: How to Use Your iPad as a Second Mac Monitor With Sidecar by MakeUseOf