Norwegian version of this page

How to use an iPad as a extra screen

The tutorial shows you how to set up an iPad as an extra screen for your Mac.

With Sidecar, you can use your iPad as a screen that expands or mirrors your desktop on your Mac.

Start by connecting your iPad to your Mac with the USB charging cable that came with your iPad.

Then go to System Preferences on your Mac and select Sidecar.

Screenshot of Sidebar in System Preferences

There are a few settings that can be made, whether you want the sidebar to appear and to which side, as well as whether you want to display the Touch Bar and whether you want to enable double-tap on the Apple Pencil.

Then choose which iPad you want to Connect to.

Location of iPad in relation to your Mac

The iPad is set up as an Airplay screen, and you can choose whether you want the screen to be placed in relation to your Mac as an extended screen, or whether the content should be mirrored.

Screenshot of Arrangement tab in Displays

How to start a Sidebar session

If you are using macOS 11, click the Display menu in Control Center in the menu bar, then select iPad from the menu.

Screenshot of the Display settings in the Control Center

How to move windows to the iPad

Application windows can, as usual, be dragged between two screens.

Another option is to click on the green window of the relevant window in the upper left and choose that the window should instead be displayed on the iPad.

Screenshot of display option for a window

Use the iPad as a touch screen

Multi-Touch gestures on the iPad are available with Sidecar, such as:

  • Scroll: Swipe with two fingers.
  • Copy: Pinch inwards with three fingers.
  • Cut: Pinch inwards with three fingers twice.
  • Paste: Pinch outwards with three fingers.
  • Undo: Swipe left with three fingers, or double-tap with three fingers.
  • Perform anyway: Swipe right with three fingers.

Use the iPad with Apple Pencil

Apple Pencil can be connected to your Mac instead of the mouse or trackpad.

You can also use Apple Pencil to write, sketch, or tag documents while watching real-time updates on your Mac.

More information

For more information about the iPad as an extra screen, visit Apple's pages.

Published Feb. 8, 2021 2:42 PM - Last modified Feb. 17, 2021 11:48 AM