You can use an iPad as a second monitor to extend or mirror your computer’s display, adding valuable screen real estate for multitasking.
Can you use an iPad as a second monitor?
Yes. If you have a compatible Mac, Apple’s built-in Sidecar feature lets you use an iPad as a second monitor wirelessly or over USB. For Windows, no native solution exists, but third-party apps like Splashtop Wired XDisplay and Duet Display are documented workarounds that turn your iPad into a second display.
How to use iPad as second monitor for Mac with Sidecar
Sidecar is Apple’s native solution for extending or mirroring a Mac desktop on an iPad. It requires specific hardware, software, and account conditions to work.
Supported devices and requirements
- Supported Macs: MacBook Air (2018 or later); iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015); all other Mac models introduced in 2016 or later. Must run macOS Catalina 10.15 or later.
- Supported iPads: All iPad Pro models; iPad 6th generation or later; iPad mini 5th generation or later; iPad Air 3rd generation or later. Must run iPadOS 13 or later.
- Account and security: Both devices must be signed in with the same Apple Account and have two-factor authentication enabled.
- Wireless conditions: Devices must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other, with Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, and Handoff turned on. The iPad must not be sharing its cellular connection, and the Mac must not be sharing its internet connection.
- USB connection: For a wired connection, the iPad must be set to trust the Mac.
Step-by-step connection
- On your Mac, open Control Center.
- Click the Display section, then choose your iPad from the list.
- On macOS Catalina, choose your iPad from the AirPlay menu in the menu bar instead.
- To switch between mirroring and extending: in Control Center’s Display section, choose Mirror to mirror the Mac desktop, or leave it as the default to extend the display.
- To adjust Sidecar settings: on newer macOS, choose Sidecar Preferences from Control Center’s Display section. On macOS Catalina, choose Open Sidecar Preferences from the AirPlay menu.
How Sidecar behaves
By default, the iPad shows the Mac desktop and menu bar, a Sidecar sidebar, and a Touch Bar for apps that support it. You can disconnect the iPad from the AirPlay menu or by tapping the disconnect button in the iPad sidebar.
How to use iPad as second monitor for Windows
There is no native way to use an iPad as a second monitor for Windows. The two documented third-party options are Splashtop Wired XDisplay (free, wired) and Duet Display (premium, wireless-capable). Each has clear trade-offs.
Spacedesk is a free wireless app for Windows that mirrors in HD resolution with a 5-6MB file size.
Spacedesk setup: download the correct version based on your Windows OS, connect both devices to the same WiFi, set Spacedesk status to On in Windows, then tap your PC's name on the iPad app.
If you get an error in Spacedesk, try uninstalling other screen mirroring software like Teamviewer as they might interfere.
iDisplay works on Windows and macOS wirelessly, provides 60fps, and lets you adjust screen resolution.
iDisplay costs $15 on iOS as a one-time payment.
iDisplay has a 1.9-star rating on the App Store and requires installing additional programs to run smoothly.
Astropad Studio turns an iPad into a professional drawing tablet working with Apple Pencil and desktop apps like Adobe, with 6ms latency wired and 9-150ms over WiFi.
Splashtop Wired XDisplay (free, wired)
Splashtop Wired XDisplay is documented as supporting iOS 7.0+ and Android 4.0+. It is a free, wired solution: you connect your iPad to your Windows PC using a Lightning or 30-pin cable. The app lets you customize resolution and frame rate, but the connection is wired only, which limits mobility but keeps the iPad charged. Performance is decent, though latency can be higher than other options. Splashtop Wired XDisplay costs around $7 on Android tablets, with a free trial limited to 10 minutes per session. Splashtop Wired XDisplay requires iTunes installed on the Windows device before setup. Some users report Splashtop Wired XDisplay gets stuck in Mirrored Mode.
Duet Display (premium, wireless-capable)
Duet Display is a paid app that supports Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone, and Android as second-display devices. For a wireless connection, tap the Air tab at the bottom or left side of the screen on your iPad or iPhone, then tap the computer name and choose Mirror or Extend. Duet Display wireless setup: if the iPad doesn't appear, manually input the tablet's IP address found in Settings > Wi-Fi > (i) icon > DHCP. Duet says only one device can be connected at a time. The key trade-off is cost versus convenience: you pay for the app, but you get wireless capability and generally better performance than free options. Duet Display recommends lowering graphics settings if using an older PC. The retrieved Duet help page does not list supported OS versions or detailed model limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my iPad as a second monitor for Windows for free?
Yes. Splashtop Wired XDisplay is a free, wired option that works on Windows. It requires a cable connection and has no subscription or upfront cost.
Can I use an HDMI cable to connect my iPad as a second monitor?
No. You cannot use an HDMI cable to make an iPad act as a second monitor for a computer. While you can use an adapter to display the iPad’s screen on an external monitor via HDMI, it does not work in reverse.
Does Sidecar work with Windows?
No. Sidecar is a Mac-only feature.
Can I use my iPad as a second monitor with a USB cable?
Yes, for both Mac and Windows. For Mac, Sidecar supports USB connections. For Windows, Splashtop Wired XDisplay requires a wired connection. Duet Display also supports wired connections.
What is the best free option for using an iPad as a second monitor on Mac?
Sidecar is the best free option for Mac because it is built into macOS and requires no additional software. It works wirelessly or over USB and supports Apple Pencil.
For the wider topic, see laptop docking stations.
