How to Use iPad as Second Display for Mac with Sidecar

You can enlarge the working space of your Mac by hooking it up with your iPad. It is possible with the help of the Sidecar, that must be supported by both devices. This enables you to use Apple Pencil along with several third party apps such as Adobe Illustrator.

Macs supporting Sidecar

You should be aware of the various Mac versions that could support the Sidecar on your iPhone. The supporting Mac versions are – 

• iMac 27 – inch which should be newer or late 2015
• MacPro which should be the 2016 or later
• Mac mini 2018 or greater
• Mac Pro which should be of 2019 edition or greater
• MacBook Air 2018 version or higher

iPads supporting Sidecar feature

In order to work on an iPad via Mac, your Apple pencil should be supported on your device. The device should be of either first or second-generation like iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad, iPad, iPad Pro -12.9, 10.5 or 9.7 inches.

Required parameters to use Sidecar

1. Make sure that your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth & Handoff are turned on.
2. Keep both devices within 10 meters of distance to establish a connection.
3. Make sure that your devices are working properly.

Connecting Sidecar on your Mac 

You should activate the Sidecar on both the devices to access the features of new tools. Follow these steps to activate it:

1. Open your Mac and then go the “System Preferences” located under the “Dock”.
2. Then you have to tap the “Sidecar” option.
3. Now hit the “Devices” option located within “connect to “.
4. Next, choose the desired iPad option from the given dropdown list.

In case your iPad is presented on the list, then you should try plugging your device to another one.

You have to use the Sidecar on both the devices using a uniform iCloud account by either connecting it under direct mode or through your Bluetooth.

Adjusting Sidecar on your Mac

1. Go to the “System Preferences” option located inside your Mac Dock.
2. Then you have to hit the “Sidecar” icon.
3. Then click the “Show Sidebar” checkbox to on or off mode.
4. If the “Show Sidecar” toggle is under on mode, choose left or right option with the help of the toggle button located on the page.
5. Then mark the checkbox to switch on or off mode in order to turn the “Show Sidebar” on.
6. Now, either choose the top or bottom option through the toggle button. It will only be possible in case the “Show Touch Bar” option is switched on.

Customizing the Apple Pencil on your Mac

You may adjust your Mac pencil settings by customizing it. Follow these steps to know more:

1. First of all, go to click the “System Preferences” option located in your system’s Dock.
2. Hit the “Sidecar” option. 
3. Now tap the checkbox present before the option “Enable double tap on Apple Pencil” in order to turn the feature on.
4. Then go to the “Show pointer when using Apple Pencil” option and mark the checkmark to switch it on.

Marshall Lyne is a self-professed security expert; he has been making the people aware of the security threats. His passion is to write about Cyber security, cryptography, malware, social engineering, internet and new media. He writes for Norton security products at norton.com/setup.

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