How to Use Sidecar on Mac

Joel Mason

Mac, Tutorials

Are you looking to extend your workspace and boost your productivity on your Mac? Look no further than Sidecar!

This feature allows you to use your iPad as a second display for your Mac, giving you more screen real estate to work with. In this tutorial, we will walk you through how to set up and use Sidecar on your Mac.

Requirements

Before we get started, let’s make sure you have everything you need for Sidecar:

  • A Mac running macOS Catalina or later
  • An iPad running iPadOS 13 or later
  • Both devices must be signed in with the same Apple ID and connected to the same Wi-Fi network

Setting Up Sidecar

Follow these simple steps to set up Sidecar:

Step 1: Enable Bluetooth & Wi-Fi

To begin, ensure that both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on both your Mac and iPad. You can check this by going to the Control Center on your iPad and the System Preferences on your Mac.

Step 2: Connect Your Devices

Next, make sure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is crucial for establishing a reliable connection between your Mac and iPad.

Step 3: Open Sidecar Preferences

On your Mac, click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences” from the dropdown menu. In the System Preferences window, click on “Sidecar”.

Step 4: Choose Your iPad

In the Sidecar preferences window, you should see a list of available iPads. Select your iPad from the list to begin the pairing process.

Step 5: Customize Sidecar Settings

Once you’ve selected your iPad, you can customize various settings such as the position of the Sidebar, Touch Bar visibility, and more. Take a moment to explore these options and adjust them according to your preferences.

Step 6: Enable Sidecar

Finally, click on the checkbox next to “Show Sidebar” in the Sidecar preferences window to enable Sidecar. Your iPad should now function as a second display for your Mac.

Using Sidecar

Now that you have set up Sidecar, let’s explore some of its features and functionalities:

Touch Bar on iPad

If you have a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar, you can access it directly from your iPad while using Sidecar. Simply tap on the Touch Bar icon located in the bottom-right corner of the screen to reveal it.

Pencil Integration

If you own an Apple Pencil, you can use it directly on your iPad while using Sidecar. This makes it incredibly convenient for tasks that require precision and drawing.

Gestures

Sidecar supports various gestures that allow you to interact with your Mac using touch inputs on your iPad. For example, you can use a two-finger swipe gesture to scroll or a pinch gesture to zoom in or out.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while using Sidecar, here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:

  • Ensure that both devices have sufficient battery life.
  • Restart both your Mac and iPad.
  • Make sure you have the latest software updates installed on both devices.
  • Disconnect and reconnect the Sidecar connection by going back to the Sidecar preferences on your Mac.

With Sidecar, you can now maximize your productivity by expanding your workspace with just a few simple steps. Enjoy the benefits of a dual-screen setup without the need for additional hardware. Happy multitasking!

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