How to use iPad as Sidecar on MacOS Monterey?

Sidecar is a great feature for Mac and iPad users. It enables you to use your iPad as a secondary display for your macOS. It also eases your control handling as it provides various features like controlling using gestures, touch bar, sidebar, etc. There are certain system requirements for the Sidecar feature support. But since the release of macOS Monterey, the procedure to turn on the sidecar has changed a little bit. And if you are also facing difficulty in turning on the same, then you are at the right place. Let’s discuss which are the technical requirements of iPad and macOS for Sidecar, how to enable the feature and various types of controls through iPad provided by Sidecar, and how can you turn off the feature.

Technical requirements for using Sidecar

Major technical requirements for using the Sidecar feature are MacOS version of macOS Catalina or later. The iPad should consist of iPadOS 13 or later. Major Mac supporting Sidecar is:

• MacBook Pro (2016 or later)
• MacBook (2016 or later)
• The MacBook Air (2018 or later)
• iMac (2017 or later)
• iMac Pro
• Mac Mini (2019)
• Mac Pro (2019)

Flagship iPad supporting this major feature are:

• iPad Pro (all models)
• iPad (6^th generation or newer)
• The iPad mini (5^th generation or newer)
• iPad Air (3^rd generation or newer)

Other major technical requirement for using SideCar is both devices must be signed in to iCloud using the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication. To use SideCar wirelessly, both devices must be within 10 meters or 30 feet of each other. Moreover, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff should be turned on. Cellular connection of iPad and internet connection of Mac should not be being shared by corresponding devices. To use feature over USB, make sure that your iPad is set to trust your Mac.

How to use iPad as SideCar for MacOS Monterey?

The procedure to connect your iPad with Mac has been changed a little bit since the release of macOS Monterey (12.0.1 or later). The step-by-step procedure for the same is as below:

• Connect your iPad to your Mac using USB cable. To connect them wirelessly, make sure they both are connected on same Wi-Fi network.
• Go to system preferences of your Mac and select Display option.
• Now after choosing Display options, look for the “Add Display” drop down button and click on it.
• Finally look at list of available devices and select your iPad’s name.
• Now you can easily use your iPad as secondary display.

Different features and controls provided by SideCar

The sidebar provides you with many features and different types of controls that you can use to enhance your experience. One of the major features is using the sidebar which is provided by SideCar as a default feature in iPad. It contains various options like Command, Shift, and other modifier keys. It can be used to show or hide the menu bar, show your computer’s dock, Undo button, show or hide the on-screen keyboard. You can click the required option using your hands or pencil.

Another major feature provided by SideCar is multi-touch gestures. It is a great feature when using the iPad as a secondary display. This enables us to do to scrolling and many other operations by gestures below:

• Scroll: Swipe with two fingers.
• Copy: Pinch in with three fingers.
• Cut: Pinch in with three fingers twice.
• Paste: Pinch out with three fingers.
• Undo: Swipe left with three fingers or double tap with three fingers.
• Redo: Swipe right with three fingers.

You can also use an apple pencil to point, click, select and perform drawing, edit photos and manipulate objects on your iPad and mirroring on Mac. You do not need to use a mouse or keyboard when using an apple pencil for drawing and other purposes. While using SideCar you can get a Touch Bar on your iPad and use it in applications that do not have such controls.

How to turn off iPad as SideCar feature

Once your work is over, you would surely want to turn off the SideCar feature. But if you just want to terminate your SideCar use any application on iPad and then reconnect. Then you do not need to disconnect. You can easily do it and return back to the SideCar screen after using the application on the iPad. The session will get stop till the time you will be using an application and go back to the SideCar application which appears only when your iPad is connected.

To terminate your connection just follow the steps below:

• Click on sidecar icon on Mac’s Menu bar.
• Then from the display menu click on the connected iPad’s name.
• Your iPad now will be disconnected from Mac.

Conclusion

iPad can easily be converted to the secondary second of your Mac. Using iPad as SideCar provides you with many inbuilt features. It enhances your experience with the system. Moreover, it will also ease your controls and reduce tedious work.

Do you use the SideCar feature? Which service provided by it is most useful according to you? Tell us in the comments below!!