With Sidecar, you can use iPad as a screen that expands or duplicates your Mac's desktop.
Expand or duplicate Mac desktop with Sidecar
Make sure your Mac and iPad meet Sidecar's system requirements, then follow these steps:
- You can use Sidecar wirelessly, but if you want to keep the iPad charged during use, connect it directly to the Mac with the charging cable supplied with the iPad.
- Click on the AirPlay icon
in the Mac menu bar, then select the option to connect to iPad. If you prefer, use Sidecar Preferences to connect.
- The iPad should now show an enlargement of your Mac desktop. You can move windows to the iPad and use it like any other screen.
- To duplicate the Mac screen so that both screens show the same content, go back to the AirPlay menu, which is a blue rectangle
while using Sidecar. Select the option to duplicate the screen. This is a great way to share your Mac screen with other people.
- To end the Sidecar session, go back to the AirPlay menu and select the option to disconnect. If you prefer, you can click the Disconnect button on the iPad sidebar.
Learn more about using external displays. For example, you can use the Screen preferences to organize the screens so that the iPad enlarges the left, right, top, or bottom of your desktop.
Move a window to the iPad screen
By hovering over 
a window's full-screen button , you can move that window to or from the iPad screen. It is faster than dragging the window. It also changes size to fit perfectly on the screen.
Use the sidebar
The sidebar shows the most frequently used controls on the screen side of the iPad. Includes Command, Shift, and other modifier keys, so you can select essential commands with your finger or Apple Pencil instead of using a keyboard.
Use Sidecar Preferences to disable the sidebar or change its position.
Press to show or hide the menu bar when viewing a full screen window on iPad.
Show or hide your computer's Dock on iPad.
Command . Hold it down to configure the Command key. Press twice to lock the key.
Option . Hold it down to configure the Option key. Press twice to lock the key.
Control . Press and hold to configure the Control key. Press twice to lock the key.
Capital letters . Hold it down to set the Shift key. Press twice to lock the key.
Undo the last action. Some apps support various undo actions.
Show or hide the on-screen keyboard.
Disconnect the iPad and the Sidecar session ends.
Use the Touch Bar
On Mac, many apps have Touch Bar controls that make frequent actions even easier. With Sidecar, you have a Touch Bar on the iPad screen even if your Mac doesn't have a Touch Bar. It works just like the Mac's Touch Bar and you can press the controls with your finger or the Apple Pencil.
Use Sidecar Preferences to disable the Touch Bar or change its position.
Use gestures for scrolling and other actions
IPad Multi-Touch gestures are still available when using Sidecar. These gestures are especially useful with Sidecar:
- Scroll: Swipe with two fingers.
- Copy: pinch together three fingers.
- Cut: Pinch together three fingers twice.
- Paste: pinch three fingers apart.
- Undo: Swipe left with three fingers or double-tap with three fingers.
- Redo: Swipe right with three fingers.
Use Apple Pencil
To point, click, select, and perform tasks such as drawing, editing photos, and manipulating objects on the iPad while it is enlarging or duplicating the Mac screen, you can use the Apple Pencil instead of the mouse or trackpad. You can also use it to write, sketch, and markup documents while watching live updates on Mac.
Sidecar also supports double-clicking, which you can activate in Sidecar Preferences. By double-tapping, apps that support this feature can perform custom actions when you double-tap the side of your Apple Pencil (2nd generation).
Use iPad apps
While using Sidecar, you can switch to an iPad app and then interact with that app on your iPad as you normally would. Doing so will suspend the Sidecar session until you return to the Sidecar app or disconnect Sidecar. The Sidecar app only appears on the home screen while using Sidecar.
Use Sidecar preferences
Select Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Sidecar. These preferences are only available on Sidecar compatible computers.
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Show Sidebar: Show or disable the sidebar on the left or right side of the iPad screen.
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Show Touch Bar: Show the Touch Bar at the top or bottom of the iPad screen or turn it off.
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Enable double-tap on Apple Pencil: Allows apps that support this feature to perform custom actions when you double-tap on the side of your Apple Pencil (2nd generation).
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Connect to: Select an iPad you want to connect to or click Disconnect to stop using Sidecar.
Sidecar system requirements
Sidecar requires a compatible Mac using macOS Catalina and a compatible iPad using iPadOS 13:
Mac with macOS Catalina
- 2016 MacBook Pro or later models
- 2016 or later MacBook
- 2018 MacBook Air or later models
- 2016 iMac or later models plus iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, late 2015)
- iMac Pro
- 2018 or later Mac mini
- 2019 Mac Pro
iPad with iPadOS 13
- iPad Pro: all models
- iPad (6th generation) or later models
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
Additional requirements
You must be registered in iCloud with the same Apple ID on both devices. And if you use Sidecar wirelessly, these additional requirements must be met:
- Both devices must have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Handoff activated.
- The two devices must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other.
- The iPad should not share its mobile data connection and the Mac should not share its Internet connection.
