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 in 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.
If you want your keyboard, mouse, or trackpad to control your Mac and iPad, with the iPad showing its own Home Screen and apps rather than the desktop and apps of your Mac, use Universal Control instead.
Move a Mac window to and from 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. Or just drag the window to your iPad.
To move the window back to your Mac, move your pointer over the full-screen button on your iPad and choose Move Window Back to Mac. If using iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 or later, you can instead touch and hold the full-screen button, then choose Move Window Back to Mac. Or just drag the window back to your Mac.
If you want your iPad to mirror your Mac screen instead of extending its desktop, choose your iPad from the Screen Mirroring menu
in Control Center or the menu bar.
Interact with Mac windows on iPad
Use a keyboard, mouse, or trackpad. During a Sidecar session, you can type on your iPad using either a keyboard connected to your Mac or a keyboard connected to your iPad (such as a 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. Sidecar also supports trackpad gestures and mouse gestures for iPad.
Use touch. Beginning with iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, Sidecar offers greatly expanded support for using touch to interact with Mac windows and menus on iPad. Earlier versions of iOS and macOS support a limited set of iPad gestures, such as for scrolling (swipe with two fingers), cut, copy, paste, and undo.
Use the sidebar on iPad. The sidebar puts commonly used Mac controls on the side of your iPad screen during a Sidecar session. The sidebar includes, from top to bottom:
A button to show or hide the menu bar when viewing a window in full screen on iPad.
A button to show or hide your computer’s Dock on your iPad.
Buttons for Command ⌘, Option ⌥, Control ⌃, and Shift ⇧. These offer another way to choose essential commands with your finger or Apple Pencil instead of a keyboard. Touch and hold the button to set the key, or double-tap the button to lock the key.
A button to undo the last action. Some apps support multiple undos.
A button to show or hide the onscreen keyboard.
A button to switch to the Home Screen.
A button to disconnect iPad from Mac, ending the Sidecar session.
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) or later.
Switch to using an iPad app
While using your iPad as a display, you can use the App Switcher to switch to an iPad app. Or use the Home Screen button in the sidebar to return to the Home Screen. You can then interact with an iPad app as you normally would. This suspends the Sidecar session until you switch back to the Sidecar app, which appears on the Home Screen only while using Sidecar.
Change settings
To find Sidecar settings:
macOS Ventura 13 or later: From the Apple menu , choose System Settings. Click Displays in the sidebar, then click your iPad at the top of the window.
macOS Monterey 12: From the Apple menu , choose System Preferences, then click Displays. Click Display Settings, then click your iPad in the sidebar.
Earlier versions of macOS: From the Apple menu , choose 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) or later.
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.