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Sidecar keeps freezing on iPad

I am on macOS Monterey 12.4 (M1 MacBook Air) and I use Sidecar with my 2018 iPad Pro WiFi on iPadOS 15.5. Ever since Universal Control was introduced, Sidecar has been really unstable. After connecting to my iPad using my Mac, the sidecar display freezes within 20 seconds of use. The iPad does not freeze, it's only the sidecar app that freezes.


I have tried rebooting both my devices. Disconnecting and reconnecting my iPad and other such generic attempts to troubleshoot. This is apparently a big problem for a lot of users and Sidecar is simply unusable. Please fix this ASAP.



[Re-Titled by Moderator]


MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.4

Posted on Jun 14, 2022 12:27 AM

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87 replies

Jun 7, 2023 3:48 AM in response to ShivamK

Having the same issue with M1 Max 16" 2021 model running Monterey 12.6 and iPad Pro 4th Generation 12,9" running 16.5.


Im not even trying to update both devices as future OS and IOS seem to have the same problem and upgrading will cause issues with other softwares.


Deactivating the auto-lock feature seems to have brought some stability, but again had to reconnect the iPad couple of times today.


Thumbs down apple for not fixing this.

Jun 7, 2023 8:12 AM in response to Kabelstapler

Guys, after last updates, I saw a bit mor stability. I still need do reconnect one or two times a day. But I saw some improvements. Also, I was having issues with my Bose Quiet Air Buds cutting out the audio . After some research, I found the problem is that wireless 2.4g uses the same channels as Bluetooth devices uses. Once I have multiple smart devices at home that are 2.4g only and my access point are in my office, this was causing interference on Bluetooth devices. I relocated the access point a few inches and problem was solved. Not sure if Apple also uses Bluetooth some way with sidecar that may strogle with interference.

Jul 4, 2023 4:26 AM in response to ShivamK

Hi, suffered myself from the same problem M1-MBP(Ventura 13.4.1) + iPad Gen8(16.5.1).

Just found my solution: for me it seemed to correlate to AppleTV4k Gen1 (A1842/15.6), connection always broke when my MBP reconnected or lost my AppleTV.

After I pulled the power AppleTV plug, the connection kept stable. Reconnecting AppleTVs power led to frozen sidecar again.

Updating to current AppleTV4K to current software version (16.5) seemed to have fixed the issue as well.

Jul 8, 2023 12:08 PM in response to 3Lt2on

Again, I believe I solved the problem, my sidecar is now running for some hours.

I think, there are two independent reasons for a freezing sidecar:

(1) Some Bluetooth / WiFi related problems

(2) DRM related reasons

The reason (1) in my case was solved by switching off my AppleTV / updating the TV OS. I've read several user who witnessed problems in certain locations and none in other.

The (2) (by which I frustratedly replied to my comment above) occurs still immediately when I start Netflix. But now I've running vlc and YouTube for some time and the sidecar still doesn't freeze.

But maybe it wasn't the DRM after all but only a missing reboot of the iPad which might have been necessary as well.


Aug 10, 2023 6:52 PM in response to calwong

Just did this with a 13" M2 MBP and a M2 11" iPad Pro and now it seems to work correctly. Not sure what's going on within the OS to do this, but that's pretty wonky. I too ran into the 20 second freeze until I did the above.


I followed the steps described earlier about turning off things on the MBP then rebooting both the MBP and iPad Pro and so far, fingers crossed, it continues to work. I think the commenter said the biggest part was disable these features and then reboot both devices.

Aug 15, 2023 8:21 AM in response to Piotr Kowal

I already came to a conclusion that having too many Apple devices causes problems. How in this case AppleTV and mac and iPad are connected? I read that when you get rid of some devices, the others work better. That's funny.

So, turning off AppleTV is the solution, right? So what about automations, when AppleTV is the HomeHub? Or what about the situation, that you want to watch something? You need to plug AppleTV and wait until it boots to watch anything? Clever, seems like XXI's century solution :).

Aug 24, 2023 1:35 AM in response to ShivamK

Same problem here, not sure when exactly started but I remember when sidecar was working flawlessly. In my case it happens several times a day, including when I'm actively using it, the apps are stuck on the iPad screen and will return to M1 main screen after I disconnect the iPad. With the mouse same thing, I can see that it moves where iPad screen should be.


For me the only solution is to disconnect and reconnect the iPad from MBP (universal control is off with the rest of the options available under Displays). I don't have Apple TV, only Apple Watch, AirTag, iPhone on top of MBP and iPad (all up to date). Problem started around Monterey, and persist on Ventura.


I will test with AirTag off, I know it constantly connects to other devices reporting low battery and other stuff.


Hope to keep this thread active and find a viable solution for this issue.


Aug 30, 2023 5:17 AM in response to dragos_2p

After testing a different tablet, the same model where the problem did not manifest itself, I began to suspect the settings, so I was able to solve this problem by resetting the iPad.


How to reset the settings without loosing the content?

In Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPad, Reset. The tablet will restart, the content will still be available, only the settings will be lost.


I've been using it for a few days, so far, the problem has not manifested itself!

Sidecar keeps freezing on iPad

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