How to Use Your iPad as a Second Monitor With Your Mac (2025)

The iPad is a versatile device. You can use it as a TV, a notebook, a sketchpad, a gaming console, or a laptop (with the right accessories). But one of its most underrated features is its ability to be used as a second monitor. With Apple's Sidecar technology, you can wirelessly pair your iPad to your Mac and freely drag apps and windows between both devices. You can also mirror your iPad display for presentations, watching TV, or sharing your screen. It's simple to use, but the setup isn't obvious. Here, I break down all the steps for turning on Sidecar and using an iPad as a second monitor. Sidecar vs. Universal Control Universal Control, which originally launched in macOS Monterey, allows you to interact between the iPad and Mac while sticking to their respective operating systems. The iPad continues to run iPadOS while the Mac runs macOS. The benefit is the ability to use a single keyboard, mouse, or trackpad to operate both the Mac and the iPad. Sidecar, on the other hand, sol ... Read full article.