If you’ve ever wished you had a second monitor for your computer, there’s good news: you can use your iPad as a second monitor with the right apps. This can be a great way to increase your productivity, or just to get more use out of your iPad. Here’s how to set it up.
Requirements
In order to use your iPad as a second monitor, you’ll need the following:
- An iPad running iOS 9 or later
- A Mac running OS X 10.11 or later
- A Lightning to USB Cable (or 30-pin to USB Cable if you’re using an older iPad)
- An app that supports using an iPad as a second monitor, such as Duet Display
Step One: Download an App
The first step is to download an app that supports using an iPad as a second monitor. There are a few different options available, but we recommend Duet Display. It’s one of the most popular options, and it’s also one of the most affordable.
Step Two: Connect Your Devices
Once you’ve downloaded the app, it’s time to connect your devices. First, connect your iPad to your Mac using the Lightning to USB Cable (or 30-pin to USB Cable if you’re using an older iPad). Then, launch the Duet Display app on your Mac. You should see your iPad appear as a second display in the Duet Display app.
Step Three: Adjust Your Settings
Now that your iPad is connected, you can adjust your settings to get it set up the way you want. To do this, click on the Duet Display icon in the menu bar, and then click on “Preferences.” From here, you can adjust the resolution, frame rate, and other settings. Once you’ve got everything the way you want it, you’re ready to start using your iPad as a second monitor.
Step Four: Use Your iPad
Now that your iPad is all set up, you can start using it as a second monitor. You can use it to extend your desktop, or you can use it as a separate display. If you want to use it as a separate display, you can drag windows onto your iPad just like you would with a regular second monitor. You can also use apps like iA Writer and Evernote to take advantage of the extra screen real estate.
Step Five: Disconnect When You’re Done
When you’re finished using your iPad as a second monitor, you can disconnect it by clicking on the Duet Display icon in the menu bar and selecting “Disconnect.” You can also disconnect it by unplugging the Lightning to USB Cable (or 30-pin to USB Cable if you’re using an older iPad).
Tips
- If you’re using your iPad as a second monitor, you can charge it at the same time by connecting it to your Mac’s power adapter using the Lightning to USB Cable (or 30-pin to USB Cable if you’re using an older iPad).
- If you want to use your iPad as a second monitor but don’t want to carry around the Lightning to USB Cable (or 30-pin to USB Cable if you’re using an older iPad), you can use a wireless connection. To do this, you’ll need an Apple TV and an iPad case with an integrated Lightning connector. Once you have those, you can follow the instructions in this Apple support document to set up a wireless connection.