This article shows you how to use the iPad as a second monitor for your Mac. It focuses on Sidecar, which is a feature in MacOS Catalina (10.15) and later and in IDOS 13 and later, but there are other options, such as Air Display and Duet Display.



How do I use the iPad as a second display for Sidecar

The Sidecar comes with most modern Macs and iPads. Here’s how to use this feature to run the iPad as the Mac’s second monitor.

Turn on System Preferences on a Mac by selecting it under the Apple menu or by clicking its icon in the Dock.

Choose a side car.

The Sidecar options window opens. Decide where the sidebar and touch bar should be displayed.

The sidebar contains buttons that let you open the keyboard, hold down the Command key, and other items that help you carry out your second on-screen task. You can put it left or right.

The touch bar mirrors the context menu function on some Mac models. It appears at the top or bottom of the iPad display.

Select the box next to the Apple Pencil to enable double-clicking to quickly switch between tools, display color palettes, etc.

Select the drop-down menu labeled “Select Device” to select iPad.

The Mac automatically connects to the iPad.

Select the Sidecar on your Mac menu to select the iPad character. Select to use as a separate monitor.

You have another desktop on your iPad screen. You can drag Windows between it and the Mac.

The sidebar contains buttons to help you perform desktop tasks on the iPad.

Click the top icon to toggle the display menu bar.

The next icon opens the Mac’s Dock on the iPad.

The next four buttons reflect the Command, Option, Control, and Shift keys on the keyboard.

This arrow icon can undo the last action performed.

Tap the keyboard icon to open the full keyboard on the iPad. You can use it with a decorator key to navigate the application.

Click the Sidecar icon to disconnect from your Mac.

complete