How to fix macOS Sidecar not connecting your iPad as a second display for your Mac

macOS KB-965

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix macOS Sidecar not connecting your iPad as a second display for your Mac. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Quick Tip: Need immediate assistance? 💻 Open a Ticket

Common Causes

macOS Sidecar allows you to use your iPad as a second display for your Mac, extending your workspace for improved productivity. If your iPad will not connect to your Mac, follow the steps below to resolve the issue.

Quick Fix Steps

Ensure both your Mac and iPad are signed in to the same Apple ID.
Restart both your Mac and iPad.
Toggle Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off and then back on for both devices.
Check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Detailed Instructions

Check System Requirements

Sidecar requires specific hardware and software versions. Ensure your devices meet the following criteria:

Mac: macOS Catalina or later
iPad: iPadOS 13 or later
Connection: USB cable or wireless connection via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

Enable Sidecar on Your Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
Select System Settings.
Click Displays in the sidebar.
Click the Add Display button (+).
Select your iPad from the list of available displays.

Connect via USB Cable

If wireless connection fails, connect your iPad to your Mac using a USB cable. This often provides a more stable connection for business applications.

Troubleshooting

iPad Not Appearing in Display List

Open System Settings on your Mac.
Navigate to Displays.
Ensure Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices is enabled in General > AirDrop & Handoff.
Verify that Sidecar is enabled in System Settings > Displays.

Connection Drops Frequently

Move your iPad closer to your Mac to reduce wireless interference.
Disable any VPN or firewall software temporarily to test connectivity.
Update both devices to the latest version of macOS and iPadOS.

Sidecar works best when both devices are connected to the same power source during extended use.

Do not attempt to use Sidecar while your Mac is connected to a corporate VPN unless your network administrator has configured split tunneling.

If you continue to experience issues with Sidecar, Open a Ticket with our Brisbane support team.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

💻 Open a Ticket