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    Use Your iPad as a Second Screen for Your Mac

    Sidecar turns your iPad into an extra display for your Mac — giving you more screen space for work.

    3 min read · 5 steps · Checked April 2026

    1. Step 1. Check that both devices are ready

      On iPad: SettingsGeneralAbout → confirm iPadOS is 13 or later. On Mac: Apple menuAbout This Mac → confirm macOS Sonoma or later. Both must be signed into the same Apple ID. Have both devices on and nearby.

    2. Step 2. Start Sidecar

      On your Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar (top right, looks like two toggles). Click "Display." Under "Link to iPad," select your iPad's name. In a few seconds, your iPad becomes a second Mac screen.

      Quick Tip

      Quick Tip: You can also start Sidecar from the Screen Mirroring button in Control Center on the iPad itself.

    3. Step 3. Move windows to the iPad

      On your Mac, hover over the green maximize button (top left of any window). A menu appears with options including "Move to iPad." Click it — the window jumps to your iPad screen. Or drag any window from your Mac screen toward the iPad direction and it moves over.

    4. Step 4. Use the iPad touch screen

      While Sidecar is active, you can tap on the iPad screen to interact with macOS apps as if you were clicking a mouse. Scroll by swiping with two fingers. This works well for scrolling documents, tapping buttons, or using drawing apps with Apple Pencil.

      Quick Tip

      A floating sidebar appears on the iPad with quick access to common Mac keyboard shortcuts (Undo, Command, Shift, etc.) for easier control without a keyboard.

    5. Step 5. Disconnect Sidecar

      To disconnect, go to Control Center on your MacDisplay → click your iPad's name again to disconnect. Or on the iPad, tap the Sidecar icon in the sidebar → "Disconnect." Your Mac returns to its normal single-screen layout and your windows move back.

    Sidecar is an Apple feature that lets you use your iPad as a second screen for your Mac. Instead of being limited to your Mac's built-in display, you can move windows and apps onto your iPad screen — giving you more room to work.

    This is useful for:

    • Keeping reference material (a PDF, a website, notes) on the iPad while working on the Mac
    • Using drawing apps with Apple Pencil on the iPad while viewing the results on your Mac
    • Getting more screen space without buying an external monitor

    Sidecar works wirelessly over Wi-Fi or wired with a USB cable (USB cable is more reliable and does not drain the iPad battery as fast).

    You can use Sidecar in two modes:

    • Extended display: The iPad adds more screen space to your Mac. Different things can show on each screen.
    • Mirror display: The iPad shows exactly the same thing as your Mac.

    The iPad's touch screen also works as a pointing device when in Sidecar mode. You can tap on the iPad to click things in macOS. And if you have an Apple Pencil, you can draw on the iPad and have it appear in Mac apps.

    Requirements: iPad with iPadOS 13 or later (most iPads from 2014 onward), Mac running macOS Sonoma or later, both signed into the same Apple ID.

    Official sources

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