Sidecar keeps freezing on iPad

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.

Hi!!,

After trying all 'solutions' seen on internet, none worked for me, finally I found one. It works great, no more lags or from time to time (or constant) frozen keyboard, mouse or trackpad. Anyway let me say that this solution is not for everyone because it requires to connect both an external monitor and the iPad to your computer, in my case a MacBook Air 2024 + ASUS ZenScreen portable monitor plugged via Apple ThunderBold usb-c cable + my iPad Air 2024 connected via WiFi to my local network. Once I attached the external monitor all problems gone!!, no more issues. Why?, perhaps it's because some driver is activated for the external monitor and is also affecting in some way to iPad?, I don't know, but it works, at least for me.

I was so desperate for a solution and so happy to FINALLY find one that I decided to report it to Apple guys (obviously no reply) but they already know. I'm sure they receive thousands of reports and to pretend to be replied is a little naive, but ok, if they want to investigate here it is ;)

Well, I hope at least this helps to other users...

Regards!!

Sebastian

Looks like 12.5 fixes the bug...

Try new update 🤞🏾 so far so good. Ventura 13.1 Ipad pro 16.2

Personally i've had the issue occur much less when disabling low power mode in the battery settings of my MacBook Air M2

Using Affinity Designer on my M1 iMac connected via Sidecar with my iPad Pro is the basis of my workflow. It worked perfectly fine until around the time when Apple introduced Universal Control to macOS Monterey. Now my iPad regularly freezes while working, and I need to click disconnect on it's side panel, the Affinity Designer window moves back to iMac, and I need to reconnect via Sidecar again, until the whole things happens again. Sometimes after half an hour, sometimes after minutes. Needles to say, it makes working with this setup impossible. 

I've seen that iPad freezing while using Sidecar is a known issue on Apple forums, but the suggested workarounds (disable Face ID on iPad, use cable connection etc) don't seem to work for me.

I've got all the apps and operating systems updated. My WiFi works completely fine (besides, the issue happened via cable connection as-well). 

The only workaround I've found for now is downloading Astropad. It's an app that basically gives you functionality similar to Sidecar (makes iPad a graphics tablet for Mac), but it's paid and subscription-based, so it would be a bit frustrating to pay for something that previously worked for free as a built in macOS feature.

Same issue here on up to date Monterey and up to date iPad Pro. Wired, wireless, no difference. It freezes after 20 seconds or so, but I've noticed the issue seems to be confined to when I am only using the iPad as a display without interacting with it. If I use it as a display and input device eg mirroring Adobe Illustrator display and using my Apple Pencil to draw on it in Sidecar mode then there are no issues. So it's like the iPad connection just times out or something.

Very frustrating. I've been considering getting a new 14inch laptop and relying on Sidecar to my iPad Pro when I need more screen real estate but this issue rules that out.

I have managed to solve my problem through Apple Technical support over imessage! Ended up, it was the login items that actually cause the glitch. So I tested with Adobe Photoshop and tried using pen tool with my ipad wirelessly and also with USB C Cable connected to my macbook pro and it works like a breeze. No more freezing. Hope this comment help!

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.

I have the same issues with 2020 MBP 16" (OS Sonoma) with 4th Gen. iPad Pro 12.9" (iOS 17) Sidecar. But freezes only in Microsoft Word for Mac, I have not experienced it with other apps. When the Sidecar freezes, I just disconnect "Screen Mirroring" from the MBP and reconnect back. iPad re-connects right away without losing any of the windows I had open... I hope this helps someone out there.

Nothing has changed. Keeps disconnecting and freezing. There is a workaround that helps for like few minutes. From the source Mac select screen mirroring option and click on hide sidebard and show sidebar. It will reconnect the external iPad back but literally for like few minutes.

Still having this issue. Using Ipad pro with usb-c cable connected to Imac pro and never had this problem till recent updates. After I updated to 13.0.1 (on mac) 16.1.1 (ipad) it has become worse, stopping every 20-30 seconds.

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.

Hasn't started freezing 400 hours after iPadOS 17.4 (21E219) update-restart.

Finally after more than two years???