There is too much wifi interference at school, so I connect my iPad Pro to my MacBook via USB-C to prevent Screen Mirroring from lagging and disconnecting constantly. I don't want to have to turn my iPad wifi off every time I connect it to my MacBook. How can I set the MacBook to default to USB?
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.3
Hello Alexzander1026
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. In order to use the screen mirroring feature, it requires you to connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your other devices. This is mentioned in Apple's official resource here: Use AirPlay to stream video or mirror the screen of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
Mirror your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to a TV or Mac:
Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV, AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV, or Mac
You can use this information to submit feedback to Apple on things they can change or update. Leave your feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple
Yeah, I thought it would default to the cable too, but it doesn’t. Like in your suggestion, I have checked all of the other methods. If I have WiFi on, I typically have to disconnect and reconnect every 5-20mins when at school (even when I have the cable connected). So I guess my question should be reframed as a feature request… Apple, can you please add a check box in Display Preferences to allow us to force the Mac to use USB if it’s connected?
I do understand how to use WiFi to screen mirror. That was not my question.
Also, the article you linked is inaccurate because it says you must use WiFi for Screen Mirroring and does not explain that you can also use USB. Also, I am not trying to mirror the screen per se. I don’t need to use AirPlay, I am using the Screen Mirroring button in Control Center. What this does is use the Sidecar feature. That feature can use USB if WiFi is turned off, but I do not want to have to do that to have a reliable connection.
I don’t know of a way to change that on the fly, sorry. Besides disconnecting wifi, the other option is to disconnect and reconnect the display In System Preferences or from the menu bar. If both connections are available when you add your ipad display, I am pretty sure it will use the cable.
That seems like a good suggestion but to have Apple hear it you need to tell them, using the feedback page:
https://www.apple.com/feedback
While I understand what you are saying, it is an incomplete answer that doesn’t address my original request.
Imagine you are sitting in the office and both your MacBook and iPad are connected to the same WiFi. You start screen mirroring but notice it’s lagging and disconnects repeatedly. You connect the two together with a usb cable hoping to improve the connection, however, there is no change. You then turn off WiFi and see a message pop up on the iPad which says, “switching connection to USB.” THAT is what I want. I want it to ALWAYS use USB regardless of WiFi status. I don’t want to have to turn off WiFi just to get it to use the USB connection. Can anyone tell me how to do that?
You don't need to do anything.
Just connect your iPad to your mac using the cable, and pronto.
Is there any way to default Screen Mirroring to use USB instead of wifi?
