It is possible to use your iPad as a second screen as the iPad can be used as both a laptop and tablet which means you can get more work done in less time. Due to this reason, it is also known as a great multimedia device that serves a variety of purposes.
So instead of spending extra money on buying another monitor using an iPad as a second screen is a very good option.
If you have both a Mac and an iPad, you can connect them in no time, thanks to the feature called Sidecar. And voila – you have a second monitor! So let’s dive deeper into the subject and see what you need to do to use an iPad in your dual monitor setup.
Requirements To Turn Your iPad Into Your Second Screen:
You can easily use your old iPad as a second screen but not every device supports a sidecar. Here are the requirements to turn your iPad into a second screen
- Your Mac should be running macOS Catalina or a newer version of the operating system.
- Your iPad should be using iPad OS 13 or higher.
- Both Mac and iPad should be signed in with the same Apple ID.
- The devices need to be within 10 meters or 30 feet of each other. It shouldn’t be a problem if your goal is to create a dual monitor setup.
- Wi-Fi, Handoff, and Bluetooth should be switched on when connecting wirelessly.
- If you want to keep your iPad charged, there is an option to connect the device via a USB cable
How To Use iPad As A Second Screen:
If you want more space on your screen and don’t want to clutter up your desk with multiple monitors or panels, keep reading. We’ll walk you through 4 different ways to use an iPad as a second screen.
Method 1: How To Use iPad as A Second Screen Wirelessly:
To use your iPad as a second screen, you’ll need to connect it to your PC. There are several ways to do this, both wireless and wired. Let’s start by looking at the wireless connection methods.
1. Apple’s Sidecar – Best For Mac Users:
Using Sidecar is the best option to turn your iPad into a second screen conveniently. If you have had a Mac and an iPad for the past five or so years, then you’ll want to try it first.
Hardware Compatibility:
Checking hardware and other operating systems is compatible with the sidecar. Before you extend your Mac to an iPad.
- MacOS Catalina or later
- MacBook Pro introduced in 2016 or later
- MacBook introduced in 2016 or later
- MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later
- iMac introduced in 2017 or later, or iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
iMac Pro:
- Mac Mini introduced in 2018 or later
- Mac Pro introduced in 2019
- Mac Studio
- iPad 13 or later
- iPad Pro (all models)
- iPad (6th generation) or later
- iPad mini (5th generation) or later
- iPad Air (3rd generation) or later
How Do I Sidecar My iPad to My Mac?
If you have an iPad and a Mac, you can use Sidecar to share your iPad’s display with your Mac. Here’s how to get started:
- First, log into the same Apple ID on both devices.
- Next, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Displays in the sidebar (or just click Control Center in the menu bar).
- Choose your iPad from the pop-up menu on the right (below the name of your Mac), then choose the iPad you want to Set Up Sidecar.
If you want to switch between using Sidecar as a mirrored or separate display or showing or hiding the sidebar or Touch Bar on iPad, just click on one of those options in the Screen Mirroring menu
Limitations:
Although sidecar is the best way to get to monitor for your iPad and Mac wherever you may need them. But it can be very difficult to set up.
When your iPad is in “Extended Display” mode Sidecar doesn’t support rotation of the iPad screen. Which can be infeasible if you want to use your iPad in portrait mode.
To use Sidecar wirelessly, both devices must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other.
2. Deskmen – Web Application:
Deskreen is applicable on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. It can be used in sharing the whole computer screen or just a single application window view. You can also limit Deskreen to select only one application window view to share—very useful for presentation purposes.
The best feature of Deskreen is to use any device as a secondary screen. To have a true extended desktop experience, Deskreen should be used with a Virtual Display Adapter.
How To Set It Up:
To get started with the desk screen, you will have to insert a dummy display plug into an empty HDMI slot first, which is a small plug similar to a USB flash drive. Its purpose is to make the computer think that an external display is connected. Then follow these steps:
- After installing the app, go and check its QR code
- Scan the QR code with a tablet or duet Display annually and type in the web address given below onto your browser running on your secondary device.
- A pop-up will appear on your PC after the connection has been established. It will confirm all of your IP address information as well as other information, including session ID and more information about connected devices and OS versions if applicable (the details are shown here). Click on ‘allow’ to start sharing your screen.
- Now you need to select on the computer whether you want to mirror your partial and entire screen or extend one application to your iPad.
Limitations:
- A stable internet connection would be required to work with Deskreen otherwise poor connection can create issues that can impact the overall user experience.
- Deskreen has limited resolution options, which are determined by the device you are using as a second display.
3. Duet Display – Paid Software:
Duet Display is a tool that allows you to mirror or extend the screen of your computer to an iPad.It is cross-platform and supports both wired and wireless connections.
This in-app subscription has a price of USD 29.99 per year—it is compatible with macOS 10.9 (Mavericks) and later, Windows 10 (64-bit), and all iPads with iOS 10 or later.
Duet Display is an app purchase that also allows you to turn your iPad Pro into a drawing tablet with an Apple pencil. This subscription has a price of USD 39.99 per year to unlock a whole suite of features.
Connecting your iPad to your Mac or PC is easy! Let’s look at how it works:
- Download and install the Duet Display app on your iPad from the App Store. Get the desktop app on your computer from the Duet Display website.
- After installation, the app’s icon will appear in the menu to the right of the bottom of your PC (a lowercase d with a circle around it). To access Duet’s Windows UI, click on the menu bar icon if you need to make any settings changes.
- Start Duet on your iOS device, then connect your iPad to your computer using either USB-C and/or USB-C to USB cables. That’s it!
- When Duet detects the iPad, it will change the message from “Connect to Mac or PC” to “Launching Duet” right before your new desktop is displayed on the computer.
Limitations:
The Duet Display is a great device, but it doesn’t have all the features that you might expect. For starters, you can’t use it with Wi-Fi or Apple Pencil unless you pay for an upgrade. It also has a limited number of display options—not many in-app display options. It’s still pricey compared to other products on the market.
Method 2: Can I Use My iPad as a Second Monitor with an HDMI Cable?
You can connect your iPad to a second monitor using an HDMI cable if it has a Lightning connector.
- If your iPad has a Lightning connector, connect it.
- Connect a Lightning to VGA adapter or a Lightning to Digital AV adapter to the iPad’s charging port.
- Connect the adapter to an HDMI or VGA cable.
- A display, TV, or projector should be connected to the other end of the HDMI or VGA cable.
- Change the video source on your display, TV, or projector if necessary.
Method 3: Space Desk – Wireless iPad Second Monitor:
Space Desk is a free app that helps you to use your iPad as a second screen. It is a wireless connection. Hence, you don’t have to worry about getting compatible cables or setting up the iPad near your PC at all.
In addition, the space desk is capable of mirroring your display in HD resolution. The software is also lightweight and has a meager 5-6MB file size. Overall, it works well enough if you need to use an iPad as a second monitor. However, it’s Windows-only so you’ll need to find other solutions if you’re on a Mac.
There Are Some Steps For Using A Space Desk:
- Download and install Space Desk on your PC from the website. Note: You must choose the right version based on your Windows OS.
- Head to your iPad and install the iPad version of Space desk.
- Connect your iPad and PC to one Wi-Fi network.
- Launch Space desk on Windows.
- Set the Space desk status to On if it’s disabled.
- Launch Space desk on your iPad.
- Tap OK on the confirmation screen.
- Pick your PC’s name on the app and click Connection.
- (Optional) Tap the Settings tab on the iPad app and choose Settings to find customizations for the app.
Method 4: I Display:
I Display is another method to use your iPad as a second display which works on Windows and macOS only. It requires you to connect both the devices with same wifi network. Simply download and install both apps on your PC and iPad and then connect.
i Display works similarly to Space desk for the most part. It can provide you with a 60fps connection and lets you adjust the screen resolution to make it more functional. The app promises to work seamlessly, rendering your iPad as a second monitor without a hitch.
Method 5: Splash Top Wired X Display – Use iPad As Second Monitor For Free:
Splash Top is another easy and best way to use your iPad as a second screen. It is free for iOS but costs $7 on Android. Although, it has a free trial on Android.
It consists of two separate software for mobile and desktop. The former will run in the background of your computer, whether PC or Mac. Meanwhile, the app will actively run on your iPad.
You must have iTunes installed on your Windows device before you begin. Then, install the software on both your PC and iPad from the website. After installing the software, run both apps on your PC and iPad and connect your devices using a lightning or 30-pin cable.
A blank desktop will be showing on your tablet once it forms a connection. Then, you can freely move Windows to your tablet and use it as a productivity tool.
Limitations:
Overall, Splash Top provides decent performance when you use an iPad as a second monitor. It’s a little clunky because there’s more latency than other solutions. Some users occasionally report that the app is a little buggy and gets stuck on Mirrored Mode which can be annoying.
Final Words:
Benefits of Using iPad As a Second Screen:
Adding a second monitor to your laptop can reduce distractions and allow you to focus on whatever you’re doing. You can use it as a second monitor to add more space and keep things organized. You can use it to watch videos or listen to music while working on different tasks at once. You can even add apps that allow you to doodle or take notes while you’re browsing.
An extra monitor allows you to view more information at once without frequently switching between tabs and interrupting your workflow. It may take some time to set up everything, but once you do, you’ll be able to use the iPad as a second screen without obstacles.
Tips for Using iPad as a Second Monitor:
Whether you are using an iPad wirelessly or with a wire, you should know the following tips for the best results.
Select Project Mode:
You can extend the original display, duplicate it, or show only one of the displays when you’re using an iPad or any other external monitor as a secondary display. Choose what you want to do for an iPad.
- Open windows settings
- Display after connecting the iPad
- Look for multiple displays drop-down box
- Choose Extend from the list.
- Use this tip if your PC’s display is mirroring on your iPad instead of extending it.
- You can also use the shortcut Windows key + P to quickly choose from different project modes.
Arrange Monitor:
You can easily select the position of your iPad in a multi-monitor setup according to your preference.
Go to Windows Settings > Display. You will see the currently connected monitors on the screen. The primary or the dark one is your Windows PC. Drag the second monitor where you would typically place your iPad.