How To Use iPad As A Second Monitor

Using your iPad as a second monitor is a fantastic way to expand your workspace and boost your productivity. By connecting your iPad to your computer, you can extend your desktop and have more screen real estate to work with. This allows you to have multiple applications and windows open simultaneously, making it easier to multitask and stay organized.  

There are multiple ways to do this, and I’ll show you here how to use iPad as a second monitor. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone with a creative flair, incorporating your iPad as a second monitor can greatly improve your workflow and simplify multitasking. So let’s dive right in and unleash the full potential of your iPad as a fantastic second monitor option.

How To Use iPad As A Second Monitor

Over time, people have become more interested in multitasking and having smooth work experiences. Thanks to technology, we now have more convenient ways to work across different devices. One cool option is using your iPad as a second monitor for your computer. This lets you extend your desktop, giving you more screen space and boosting your productivity. It’s a great way to enhance your workflow and get things done efficiently. Here are some different ways you can use your iPad as a second monitor. 

How To Use iPad As A Second Monitor For Mac Devices

To use your iPad as a second monitor for your Mac, you can take advantage of a feature called Sidecar. Sidecar is a built-in feature introduced in macOS Catalina that allows you to extend your Mac’s display to your iPad wirelessly or through a USB connection. The great thing is you don’t actually need to physically connect your iPad to your Mac using a cable to use Sidecar. 

However, before connecting your Mac to an iPad using Sidecar, it’s important to check the hardware and operating system compatibility. 

For macOS, you’ll need Catalina or a newer version, and should be one of these models :

• MacBook Pro (2016 or later), 
• MacBook (2016 or later), 
• MacBook Air (2018 or later), 
• iMac (2017 or later), 
• iMac Pro, 
• Mac Mini (2018 or later), 
• Mac Pro (2019), or Mac Studio. 

The iPad, should be running iPadOS 13 or a newer version and can be any of these models:

• iPad Pro, 
• iPad (6th generation) or later, 
• iPad mini (5th generation) or later, and iPad Air (3rd generation) or later.

Here’s how to set it up:

• To set up Sidecar, make sure your iPad and Mac are signed in with the same Apple ID.
• On your Mac, go to System Preferences by clicking the Apple menu. From there, select Displays in the sidebar (you might need to scroll down a bit).
• On the right side, below the name of your Mac, you’ll see the Add Display pop-up menu. Click on it and choose your iPad.
• Alternatively, you can use the Control Centre. Just click on the Control Centre icon in the menu bar, then click on Screen Mirroring and select your iPad.

Once you’ve set up Sidecar, you’ll see the Screen Mirroring menu in the menu bar. From there, you can easily customize how you want to work with your iPad as a second display. You can switch between using it as a mirrored or separate display, showing or hiding the sidebar or Touch Bar on your iPad, and more.

To change Sidecar options, follow these steps:

• On your Mac, go to the Apple menu and select “System Preferences“, then click on “Displays” in the sidebar.
• Select your iPad’s name on the right.
• You can then choose how you want to use your iPad (main display, mirror, or extend), show or hide the sidebar, and adjust the position of the Touch Bar.
• If you have an Apple Pencil, you can also enable double-tap functionality.

How to Use iPad as a Second Monitor For Windows

To use your iPad as a second monitor for Windows, you can use third-party apps like Duet Display or iDisplay. These apps allow you to connect your iPad to your Windows computer using a USB cable or wirelessly. Once connected, you can extend your Windows desktop to your iPad and use it as an additional screen. These apps provide easy setup and configuration options, making it simple to enhance your productivity by expanding your workspace. While they are not free, they provide a convenient solution for extending your Windows desktop to your iPad. 

Here is how to use your iPad as a second monitor for Windows using Duet Display 

• To begin using your iPad as a second monitor for your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, you will need to download the app on both devices. 
• Once you have installed the apps, make sure to sign in to both the PC and iPad using the same account. 
• When you use Duet Display for the first time, you’ll need to connect your iPad to your PC using a cable. However, don’t worry. In the future, you can switch to wireless mode for easier connections.
• After you’ve connected the devices with a cable and signed in to Duet Display on both devices, you’ll notice a brief zoom-out animation on your Windows display. This indicates that your desktop has been extended to your iPad. 
• You can now drag Windows and applications from your Windows computer to your iPad screen, effectively using it as a second monitor.
• To adjust the display settings, such as resolution or orientation, you can refer to the settings within the app on your Windows computer.

Please note that if you’re not a fan of Sidecar or if your Mac doesn’t support it, you can try using Duet Display on macOS as an alternative.

To sum up, using your iPad as a second monitor is a fantastic way to boost your productivity and make the most out of your devices. With just a few simple steps, you can extend your screen space, have a more immersive work environment, and seamlessly multitask between your computer and iPad. 

Whether you’re working on documents, editing videos, or managing multiple applications, having an extra display can make a world of difference. This trick will take your workflow to a whole new level. So go ahead, give it a try, and supercharge your workflow with your iPad as a second monitor. Finally, check out this category if you’d like other useful tips to get the best out of your devices.