No Apple Sidecar Support? 4 Apps to Help You Use Your iPad as a Second Monitor

Apple's Sidecar feature lets you turn your iPad into a second display for the Mac, but it's limited to certain Mac and iPad models, which is a bummer if you have an older device or a Windows PC. If you're willing to pay, though, third-party apps can help fill the void.

Free Sidecar, SidecarPatcher: The Hack For Older Apple Devices

By default, Apple blocks Sidecar on Macs running anything older than macOS Catalina and iPad models that don't support the Apple Pencil. You can undo that block with Free Sidecar and SidecarPatcher, which edit the necessary files in your System Library. Download either one from their GitHub pages and follow the directions.

This process is more involved than simply operating Sidecar on a supported device, but once set up, your iPad should be able to connect to your Mac. The one caveat is that wireless connectivity is reportedly spotty with these tools. Make sure Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff are turned on and that both devices are logged into the same Apple ID. If you're still having trouble, you may want to connect your devices via USB.

Splashtop Wired XDisplay: The Cheap, Cross-Platform Option

If your Mac or iPad isn't supported by Sidecar—or you're a Windows and Android user—Splashtop Wired XDisplay is a third-party app that can turn your tablet into a second monitor. It only works when connected over USB, and isn't the smoothest option I've used, but it will do the job adequately for not a lot of money.

Splashtop Wired XDisplay has two components: A desktop agent that runs in the background on your PC or Mac, and an app for iOS, iPadOS, or Android that runs on your mobile device. (The iPad app appears to be free, while the Android app is $7—though there's a free trial version that works for 10 minutes at a time.)

Install the desktop app and mobile app on the devices you wish to use together. With the desktop app running, connect your tablet to your computer with a USB cable, then launch the XDisplay app on your tablet. It will establish a connection to your computer, and a blank desktop will appear on your mobile device.

You can rearrange your monitors from your computer's Display settings, drag windows to your tablet, and otherwise use it as a second monitor for a productivity boost. I recommend having a stand to keep it propped up—something like this works great if you're using your tablet with a laptop, while a more adjustable stand is ideal for desktop usage.

Splashtop Wired XDisplay works decently well, at least in my experience using an iPad and a Windows PC. There is some noticeable latency, and I did have some trouble with it getting stuck in Mirrored Mode on one of my computers, but for the price of free, it's worth a shot. (The $7 Android app has more mixed reviews, and if you're going to pay money, I think it's worth shelling out a few more and using the better option below.)

Duet Display: A Better, Pricier Alternative

If you want the smoothest experience possible, Duet Display is the best app I've tested for turning an iPad into a second monitor. Like Splashtop, it has an app for your tablet that connects to a companion app on your computer. You're free to test out the service for 10 minutes at a time, but for longer usage (or additional features like wireless connections) you will need to subscribe to a tiered pricing plan.

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Sign up for an account, then install the desktop and tablet apps. With the desktop app running in the background on your PC, plug your tablet in via USB and launch the Duet Display mobile app. If you pay for the $48-per-year Duet Air plan, make sure to sign in to wirelessly connect your devices. You must then enable screen sharing in Duet settings. Select the computer under the Air tab in the app to connect.

Finally, click the Duet Display icon on your PC to gain access to a few other settings, like the frame rate and resolution your tablet uses. For me, the default settings worked great, but if you find it's being a bit sluggish on an older laptop, lowering the resolution, frame rate, or power usage from this window may help.

Duet Display may be more expensive than its competitors, but it's been the smoothest experience by far. If you use your iPad as a second monitor regularly, it's worth the price.

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