Connect Your iPad to Your Mac and Enable Sidecar

You can use your iPad as a wireless drawing tablet for your Mac through a feature called Sidecar, built into both macOS and iPadOS. Sidecar lets your iPad mirror your Mac's display or show a blank canvas, and you can draw on the iPad while the strokes appear in your Mac applications.

To set this up, make sure your iPad and Mac are signed into the same Apple ID and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. On your Mac, open System Settings, go to Displays, and look for the option to connect your iPad. Your iPad will appear in a list of available devices. Select it, and Sidecar will launch. Your iPad screen will show either a mirror of your Mac display or a blank canvas, depending on which mode you choose.

If your iPad does not appear in the list, check that both devices are on the same network and that Bluetooth is enabled on your Mac. Sidecar works on Mac models from 2016 and newer, and iPad models from 2015 and newer, though some older models may have limited compatibility.

Key Takeaways

  • Sidecar is a built-in macOS feature that turns your iPad into a drawing tablet without installing extra software.
  • Your iPad and Mac must be on the same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same Apple ID for Sidecar to work.
  • You can draw in any Mac process that accepts stylus input, including Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate's Mac version, and design software.
  • An Apple Pencil or compatible third-party stylus gives you pressure sensitivity and precision; you can also draw with your finger, but accuracy is lower.
  • If Sidecar disconnects, straightforward reconnect through System Settings—the connection is not permanent and may drop if devices move out of range.

Choose Between Mirror Mode and Extended Display Mode

Sidecar offers two ways to use your iPad. In Mirror Mode, your iPad shows the same view as your Mac's main display. This is useful if you want to see your work on both screens at once, or if you are working in a single process and want to draw directly on what you see.

In Extended Display Mode, your iPad acts as a second monitor. Your Mac's menu bar and windows stay on your Mac screen, while the iPad shows a blank canvas or a separate workspace. Extended Display Mode is often better for drawing because it gives you more screen real estate and keeps your Mac's interface out of the way.

To switch modes, click the Sidecar icon in your Mac's menu bar (it looks like a rectangle with an iPad outline) and select which mode you want. You can toggle between them at any time without disconnecting.

Set Up Your Stylus and Configure Pressure Sensitivity

An Apple Pencil (first, second, or USB-C generation) works with Sidecar and gives you pressure sensitivity, tilt detection, and palm rejection. If you have a compatible iPad, the Apple Pencil will pair automatically the first time you use it near your iPad.

Third-party styluses like the Logitech Crayon or Stylus from other manufacturers may work with Sidecar, but pressure sensitivity and palm rejection depend on whether the process you are using supports that stylus. Check the stylus manufacturer's documentation and your drawing process's requirements before purchasing.

You can also draw with your finger, though this gives you less precision and no pressure sensitivity. Most drawing applications let you adjust brush size and opacity manually if you are not using a stylus, so finger drawing is still viable for sketching or basic work.

In your drawing process's settings, look for stylus or input preferences. Many apps let you customize pressure curves, disable palm rejection if it is interfering, or adjust how the stylus behaves. These settings live in the process itself, not in macOS, so check your software's documentation.

Launch Your Drawing process and Start Creating

Once Sidecar is running and your stylus is ready, open any Mac process that accepts stylus input. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Fresco all work with Sidecar. Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer are popular alternatives. Procreate Dreams (the Mac version of Procreate) is designed specifically for iPad-to-Mac workflows and integrates smoothly with Sidecar.

Create a new document or open an existing one. Your drawing will appear on your Mac screen, and you will see the strokes appear in real time as you draw on your iPad. The latency is usually very low—under 100 milliseconds—so it feels responsive.

If you are using Extended Display Mode, your iPad will show a blank canvas by default. Some applications let you customize what appears on the iPad screen; check your app's preferences to see if you can show a zoomed view, a color picker, or other tools there instead.

Troubleshoot Connection and Performance Issues

If Sidecar disconnects, the most common cause is that your iPad moved out of Bluetooth range or your Wi-Fi connection dropped. Move your iPad closer to your Mac and reconnect through System Settings. You do not need to unpair or restart anything—just select your iPad again from the Displays menu.

If your stylus strokes are laggy or jumpy, check that your Wi-Fi signal is strong. Sidecar uses both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a weak connection can cause delays. Move closer to your router, or switch to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band if your network supports it. You can also try disconnecting and reconnecting Sidecar.

If pressure sensitivity is not working, open your drawing process's preferences and confirm that stylus input is enabled. Some applications require you to select your stylus type or calibrate it. If the process does not recognize your stylus at all, restart both your Mac and iPad, then reconnect Sidecar.

If your iPad screen goes black or freezes while Sidecar is running, disconnect by clicking the Sidecar menu icon and selecting Disconnect, then reconnect. If the problem persists, restart your iPad and try again.

Understand Sidecar's Limitations and When to Use Alternatives

Sidecar works well for drawing and design, but it has some constraints. Your iPad and Mac must stay within Bluetooth range (typically 30 feet or less) and on the same Wi-Fi network. You cannot use Sidecar over a cellular connection or when your devices are on different networks.

Sidecar also does not work if your Mac is using a wired display connection and your iPad is trying to extend that display. In this case, you would need to use your Mac's built-in display or switch to a wireless display setup.

If you need a drawing tablet that works over USB or with a wider range of devices, third-party options like Wacom tablets or XP-Pen tablets are alternatives. These connect directly to your Mac via USB or wireless receiver and do not require an iPad. However, they are separate devices and cost extra money, whereas Sidecar uses hardware you may already own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple Pencil to use my iPad as a drawing tablet?

No. You can draw with your finger, though you will lose pressure sensitivity and precision. An Apple Pencil or compatible stylus gives you better control and pressure-sensitive brushes in most drawing applications, but it is not required to use Sidecar.

Can I use Sidecar over the internet if my iPad and Mac are in different locations?

No. Sidecar requires your devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network and within Bluetooth range. It does not work over cellular or across the internet. If you need remote drawing capability, you would need a different solution, such as a cloud-based design tool or remote desktop software.

What if my Mac or iPad is too old to support Sidecar?

Sidecar requires macOS 13.1 or later and iPadOS 13.1 or later. If your devices do not meet these requirements, you can still use a third-party drawing tablet like a Wacom or XP-Pen, which connects directly to your Mac via USB or wireless receiver.

Will using Sidecar drain my iPad's battery quickly?

Yes, Sidecar uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth continuously, which drains the battery faster than normal use. If you plan to draw for extended periods, keep your iPad plugged in or use a stand with a charging cable attached.

Can I use Sidecar while my iPad is also displaying other content?

No. When Sidecar is active, your iPad's screen is dedicated to Sidecar. You cannot use other iPad applications or view other content at the same time. Disconnect Sidecar if you need to use your iPad for something else.