Use an iPad as a second display for a Mac

With Sidecar, you can use your iPad as a display that extends or mirrors your Mac desktop.

Get ready

• Before continuing, make sure that your Mac and iPad meet the Sidecar system requirements, including that each is signed with the same Apple Account.

• You can use Sidecar wirelessly, but to keep your iPad charged during use, connect it directly to your Mac with the USB charge cable that came with your iPad.

Move a Mac window to your iPad

Move your pointer over the full-screen button of a window on your Mac, then choose the option to move that window to your iPad.

You can repeat this step for other Mac windows, or simply drag other Mac windows to and from your iPad. To move a window back to your Mac, you can also move your pointer over the full-screen button and choose Move Window Back to Mac.

If you want your iPad to mirror your Mac screen instead of extending its desktop:

• In macOS Monterey or later, choose a mirroring option from the Screen Mirroring menu in the menu bar.¹

• In macOS Big Sur, choose a mirroring option from the Display menu in Control Center or the menu bar.

• In macOS Catalina, choose a mirroring option from the Display menu or AirPlay menu in the menu bar.²

Use the sidebar on your iPad

The sidebar puts commonly used Mac controls on the side of your iPad screen. It includes Command, Shift, and other modifier keys, so you can choose essential commands with your finger or Apple Pencil instead of a keyboard.

Use gestures for scrolling and other actions

These Multi-Touch gestures are particularly useful when using your iPad as a display.

• Scroll: Swipe with two fingers.

• Copy: Pinch in with three fingers.

• Cut: Pinch in with three fingers twice.

• Paste: Pinch out with three fingers.

• Undo: Swipe left with three fingers, or double-tap with three fingers.

• Redo: Swipe right with three fingers.

Use Apple Pencil

To point, click, select, and perform tasks such as drawing, editing photos, and manipulating objects on your iPad while it's extending or mirroring your Mac display, you can use your Apple Pencil instead of the mouse or trackpad connected to your Mac. You can also use it to write, sketch, and mark up documents while seeing the updates live on your Mac.

Sidecar also supports double-tap, which you can turn on in settings. Double-tap enables apps that support this feature to perform custom actions when you double-tap the side of your Apple Pencil (2nd generation).

Use the Touch Bar

Many apps on Mac have Touch Bar controls that make common actions even easier. With Sidecar, you get a Touch Bar on your iPad screen even if your Mac doesn’t have a Touch Bar. Tap its controls with either your finger or Apple Pencil. If the Touch Bar doesn't appear when using an app that offers Touch Bar controls:

• macOS Ventura or later: Choose Apple menu  > System Settings, click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar, then scroll down on the right and turn on “Displays have separate Spaces”.

• Earlier versions of macOS: Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, click Mission Control, then make sure that “Displays have separate Spaces” is selected.

Use a keyboard, mouse, or trackpad

During your session, you can type using the keyboard connected to your Mac, or you can use a keyboard connected to your iPad, such as the Smart Keyboard or Magic Keyboard for iPad. To point, click, or select with a mouse or trackpad, use the mouse or trackpad connected to your Mac, or use an Apple Pencil on your iPad.

Use iPad apps

While using your iPad as a display, you can switch to an iPad app, then interact with that app on your iPad as you normally would. This suspends your session until you switch back to the Sidecar app, which appears on your iPad home screen only while using Sidecar.

Change settings

To find Sidecar settings:

• macOS Ventura or later: Choose Apple menu  > System Settings, click Displays in the sidebar, then click your iPad at the top of the window.

• macOS Monterey: Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Displays. Click Display Settings, then click your iPad in the sidebar.

• Earlier versions of macOS: Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Sidecar.

These settings are available only on computers that support Sidecar:

• Show Sidebar: Show the sidebar on the left or right side of your iPad screen, or turn it off.

• Show Touch Bar: Show the Touch Bar on the bottom or top of your iPad screen, or turn it off.

• Enable double tap on Apple Pencil: Allow apps that support this feature to perform custom actions when you double-tap on the side of your Apple Pencil (2nd generation).

Sidecar system requirements

Sidecar works with these devices and operating systems. If you’re having difficulty, install the latest macOS updates and iPadOS updates for your device.

Additional requirements

• Both devices must be signed in with the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication.

• To use Sidecar wirelessly, both devices must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff turned on. Your iPad must not be sharing its cellular connection and your Mac must not be sharing its internet connection.

• To use Sidecar over USB, your iPad must be set to trust your Mac.

Learn more

• Learn how to resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference, which can affect Sidecar performance when using Sidecar wirelessly.

• Use Reference Mode on your iPad Pro.