Sidecar not working over USB. Error: "To use Sidecar, turn on Wi‑Fi or connect over USB."

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Level 2

357 points

Sidecar not working over USB. Error: "To use Sidecar, turn on Wi‑Fi or connect over USB."

My setup…

15" MacBook Pro (2019) with macOS Catalina 10.15.1

iPad Pro 12.9" (2018) iPadOS 13.2.2

The iPad is connected via an Apple USB-C cable and is a trusted device. Nothing else is connected. I can see and access the iPad in the sidebar.

However, the only way I can connect Sidecar is over WiFi. If I turn off WiFi and try to connect over USB I get the following error…

I've tried restarting both devices. I'm sure this was working last week before the recent minor OS updates on both platforms.

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Nov 11, 2019 3:01 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

k-a-r-l

Level 1

4 points

Jan 26, 2020 5:40 PM in response to Mark Paterson

This worked for me...

Find this file:

/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist

back it up, then delete it, and restart.

The fix isn't perfect, the issue re-appears every time I use my VPN, but it's still been a big help.

Credit goes to the fine people on this thread:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250712996?answerId=252035694022

Hope it works!

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Answer 2

Nov 11, 2019 10:42 PM in response to Mark Paterson

Also having issues with sidecar over USB. Only works over WiFi for me. Revert back to using Duet.

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Answer 3

D-Reck09

Level 1

4 points

Jan 22, 2020 8:28 PM in response to Mark Paterson

I’m having the same issue. Works over WiFi, then disconnects in 3 seconds after connecting usb-c to usb-c cable. I’d prefer to use the cable, as it seems to lag, and even freeze up over the WiFi. Was hoping the cable would fix it, but no go. I’ve done the basics to get it going - restarted both devices, ran through the settings, and it seems it should work for me, but doesn’t.

Anyone finding any resolves???

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Answer 4

Mark Paterson Author

Level 2

357 points

Jan 30, 2020 9:40 AM in response to k-a-r-l

Thanks, that indeed worked!

SO glad of this fix, because I love Sidecar but unfortunately haven't been able to use it much due to its WiFi only bug. I need to turn WiFi off because macOS can't be trusted to honor the Service Order of network devices. I have a NAS and I always end up getting slow transfers until I realize that yes, it has once again started accessing files over WiFi.

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Answer 5

Dec 18, 2019 3:09 PM in response to Mark Paterson

Have the same problem too.

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Sidecar not working over USB. Error: "To use Sidecar, turn on Wi‑Fi or connect over USB."

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