Use an iPad as a second display, or control it from the Mac
Sidecar extends the Mac desktop onto an iPad; Universal Control lets one keyboard and trackpad drive both.
Works on: macOS Ventura 13 and later · checked on macOS Golden Gate 27
Published: · Source: Apple
An iPad next to a Mac can play two quite different roles.
A second display. In System Settings → Displays, select your iPad at the top. The Mac desktop extends onto it by default; to show the same image on both, use the Screen Mirroring menu in the menu bar. This is Sidecar, and it works wirelessly within about 10 metres or over a USB cable, on compatible iPads.
A second computer you control from the Mac. With Universal Control, push the pointer past the edge of the Mac screen towards the iPad and keep going: it crosses over, and the Mac’s keyboard and trackpad now work on the iPad — copying content between the two included. Turn it on in System Settings → Displays → Advanced with Allow your pointer and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad, and on the iPad with Cursor and Keyboard, in Settings → General → AirPlay & Continuity.
Both need the devices signed in to the same Apple Account with two-factor authentication, and Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Handoff turned on. Universal Control needs macOS Monterey 12.4 and iPadOS 15.4 or later.
Related tips
Use the iPhone as the Mac webcam
Continuity Camera turns the iPhone into a camera and microphone for FaceTime and video calls.
Use your iPhone from the Mac screen
iPhone Mirroring puts the phone, its apps and its notifications in a window on the Mac — outside the EU.
Copy on the iPhone and paste on the Mac
Universal Clipboard moves text, images and files between your devices with the usual copy and paste.