Sidecar keeps freezing on iPad

What was your OS versions before your last update?

l have been having this problem since OS versions of 2021 like many others here, probably ever since the introduction of universal control that year.

I have been following this thread since August and having this issue since more than a year with my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, 2 TBT3). I’m just telling the fact that sidecar seems to work fine with the new MBA M1.

Anyway they don’t seem to be going to fix this issue any time soon or fix this ever at all.

No change with MacOS 13.4 and iPadOS16.5!

I read in SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT for MacOS a Disclaimer of Warranties that says Apple does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free operation of the software and services and that any defects in the software or services will be corrected.

Is this against Consumer Law Rights?

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.

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.

No improvements at all for me, if do nothing on the extend display it will freeze within an hour, if pay some video on it for example than it will last only for a few minutes wirelessly.

One or two times a day is not bad at all. How long do you use Sidecar a day?

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.

Hi, celebrated too early.

Unfortunately, after some minutes of YouTube in freezes still. Anyway, it feels much more stable without AppleTV in the wifi network.

Updating TV to OS16.5 didn't improve the situation btw.

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.

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 :).

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.

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!

The problem is with the DOCK.. This occurs only, and consistently, when the dock on my Macbook pro is on the left of my screen. If I put it at the BOTTOM, which I normally never do, the problem is solved. Yes, Apple should fix this.

So does any of their suggestions work?

The power mode also doesn’t make a difference at all, once the freezing starts 3 days after iPad reboot, Sidecar will freeze just minutes after play some videos or putting the running stopwatch of the clock app on it, this is how I always test it, otherwise it will just last a bit longer.

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.