Do you wish you could be more productive? Have you wanted a second screen but thought the cost was too expensive? If you have a Mac and iPad, you can use the iPad as a second display.
Then, you can enjoy the benefits of multiple windows, but you don’t have to spend more money. With Apple Sidecar, you can take control.
Keep reading to learn more about Sidecar and how you can use it.
What Is Apple Sidecar?
Apple Sidecar is the easiest way to connect a second display to your Mac. You don’t need any special software, and you don’t need to buy a monitor just for the screen.
As long as you have a Mac and iPad that are recent enough, you can use Sidecar for Mac. You can use it with the following Macs:
- MacBook Pros from 2016 and after
- MacBooks from 2016 and after
- MacBook Airs from 2018 and after
- iMacs from 2017 and later
- Mac minis from 2018 and later
- Mac Pros from 2019 and later
It also works with all iPad Pros, iPad 6 and later, iPad mini 5 and later, and iPad Air 3 and later. You also need to use the same iCloud account and two-factor authentication on both devices. The connection works through Bluetooth and through a cable connection.
How to Set Up Your Second Screen With Sidecar
As long as you have two devices that are compatible with Sidecar, you can set it up. Make sure that you use the same iCloud account and that neither device is sharing an internet connection with another device.
Once you verify all of that, you can set up your second screen and use your Mac and iPad together. Here’s how to do that.
Turn On Bluetooth and WiFi
Unless you have a cable to use for the connection, you will need to turn on Bluetooth on both your Mac and iPad. You can do this under your Mac System Preferences and iPad Settings.
Both devices will also need a WiFi connection and access to Handoff. You can adjust these settings in your System Preferences and Settings apps on your Mac and iPad.
If you do have a cable, you won’t need to turn on Bluetooth. But using Bluetooth gives you more flexibility than relying on a wired connection because you can move your second screen around.
Start a Sidecar Session
Next, it’s time to start a Sidecar session on your Mac. You can set up your Mac and iPad as far away as 30 feet when using Bluetooth. However, you will probably want to have them right next to each other to use both screens.
Open your Mac and go to the display menu at the top right corner of your screen. The display menu looks like two bars with knobs on each of them. Then, click on Display, and you will see a section that says “Connect To” which should list iPads that use the same iCloud account.
Choose your iPad to connect it to your Mac. Then you will see your Mac desktop show up on your iPad screen.
Use Both Screens
Now, you can start using your second display like you would any regular monitor. You can drag windows to the iPad screen so that you can view multiple windows at once.
If you click and hold the green circle on any window, you can also move it to your second screen. Use a long click so that it doesn’t automatically make the window full-screen. Then you can select your iPad to move the window.
You can use the two screens however you like, depending on what you’re doing on your computer. A second screen can be good if you need to take notes during a video call or if you want to watch a video while taking notes or writing in another window.
Mirror Your Screen
Another way you can use your iPad as a second screen is to mirror your Mac screen. This is an excellent option for graphic designers or people who want to use the touchscreen but on their Mac.
You can mirror your screens, and you can use the same multi-touch features available on an iPad, such as finger gestures. If you have an Apple Pencil, you can also use that.
When you mirror your screen, your favorite iPad accessories can become some of the best accessories for MacBook Pro. Then, you can use your existing computer and software, but you don’t have to rely on your mouse or trackpad.
End a Session
Once you’re done using your computer or want to move back to one screen, you can end the Sidecar session. You can go back to the display menu at the top of your Mac to disconnect from your iPad.
If you’re working on your iPad screen, you can also find a button to disconnect on the bottom left side of the screen. It looks like a slash through a rectangle.
Either way, disconnecting will return your iPad to its lock screen. You can then keep using your Mac or turn it off and move on to the rest of your day.
Why Use a Second Screen
You may want to use a second screen for many reasons. For one, you can be more productive and run multiple programs more easily. If you have to tab back and forth often, you can place the two main windows on different screens.
Sidecar for Mac can also be a great way to make use of your iPad more. You don’t have to buy a separate monitor, so you can use what you have and enjoy the iPad’s portability, especially if you use it with a MacBook Pro or Air.
And if you like designing or doing other digital art projects, you can use the mirroring feature. Then, you can use your iPad as a design tablet, but you can still use your more powerful Mac.
Will You Use a Second Display?
Using your iPad as a second display for your Mac can be an excellent option. Not only do you not need an expensive monitor, but you can still take your setup on the go.
As long as your Mac and iPad are relatively new, you can connect them using Bluetooth or a cable. Then, you can enjoy the benefits of a second screen as you work.
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