Stupid Simple Mac Tips #33 – Sidecar – Turn Your iPad Into a Mac Display
When your client list starts piling up, and you’re up to your ears in paperwork, it’s like there isn’t a computer display big enough to fit your workload.
This challenge isn’t a big deal at the office, where it’s easy to fit multiple monitors in offices and cubicles. Sadly, most of us have been stuck working remotely due to lockdowns and require a more space-efficient solution.
Which brings us to the topic of this Stupid Simple Tips, using your iPad as a secondary display: aka Sidecar.
Intelligent Use of Your iPad Can Help You Reach Peak Efficiency.
Apple recently introduced the Sidecar feature for the macOS Catalina.
With this upgrade comes the ability to take your iPad and turn it into a multitasking tool.
Here are the steps involved in making this work:
- Install macOS Catalina.
- Install the most updated iPadOS on your iPad.
- Ensure that you’re signed into iCloud on both devices with the same Apple ID.
- Turn on both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices.
- Navigate to the menu bar then click the ‘Airplay’ icon.
- Select the iPad you’ll be using to connect both devices wirelessly—(you can also connect them with a compatible cable.)
- The ‘Sidecar’ icon will appear in place of the ‘Airplay’ icon on the menu bar.
- Click the ‘Sidecar’ icon before selecting ‘Use as Separate Display’ to use an extended display or ‘Mirror Built-in Retina Display.’
And voila, it’s almost like you can be twice as productive with all that extra space.
