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    Mac Guides
    Intermediate
    3 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to 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.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Mac Guides
    Difficulty
    Intermediate
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    sidecar
    ipad
    mac
    second screen
    extend display
    productivity

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Check that both devices are ready
    2. 2.Start Sidecar
    3. 3.Move windows to the iPad
    4. 4.Use the iPad touch screen
    5. 5.Disconnect Sidecar
    1

    Check that both devices are ready

    ~15s
    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

    Start Sidecar

    ~19s
    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

    Move windows to the iPad

    ~17s
    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

    Use the iPad touch screen

    ~23s
    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

    Disconnect Sidecar

    ~15s
    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.

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    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.

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    sidecar
    ipad
    mac
    second screen
    extend display
    productivity

    Official Resources

    Apple SupportHow-To Geek — MacApple Support YouTube

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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