Using iPad as sidecar broken in Ventura 13.3.1

Question

Using iPad as sidecar broken in Ventura 13.3.1

I have been using an iPad Air (3rd gen) as a second display/extended display with my MacBook Pro (2019, touchbar) for three years with no problem. (Well... some problems, but mostly it worked.)

Updated the iPad to 16.4.1 last week with no issue. Updated the Macbook to Ventura 13.3.1 overnight and now the screen on the iPad is letterboxed, top and bottom, which changes the aspect ratio of the screen and makes it too small to be suitable as a second monitor. There is also no way to adjust this in the Displays setting.

This is quite annoying as it is the only reason I purchased the iPad and I depend on it as a second monitor for my work.

Is this a bug and will it be fixed?

MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on Apr 24, 2023 3:00 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

marniefromottawa Author

Level 1

4 points

May 17, 2023 2:20 PM in response to marniefromottawa

Just a follow-up for anyone who has the same problem. I spent some time on a call with a senior advisor from the engineering team troubleshooting. It turns out that this is a known issue with Ventura 13.3.1, they have had a lot of reports. Apparently they have finished the investigation stage so maybe there will be a solution in the not too distant future. In the meantime, if you haven't updated to 13.3.1 don't!

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Answer 2

mac98aop

Level 1

9 points

Oct 5, 2023 1:41 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks, Luis.

Nothing working so did a simple hard shutdown and reboot of all devices.

Now working.

Sorry. Should have remembered to always try that first.

Thanks again

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Answer 3

Oct 4, 2023 11:44 AM in response to mac98aop

Try connecting the iPad directly to your Mac using a cable, instead of just Wifi.

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Answer 4

jdo_apple

Community Specialist

Apr 26, 2023 3:24 PM in response to marniefromottawa

Hi marniefromottawa,

Thanks for posting in Apple Support Communities. It sounds like you are having an issue with using your iPad with your MacBook Pro with the Sidecar feature. Since both devices are up to date, please contact Apple for further investigation:

Get Support

Regards.

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Answer 5

Aug 11, 2023 6:31 AM in response to marniefromottawa

still not resolved on 13.5 for anyone who's interested. I also spent some time on chat and it is a known issue apparently, with no timeline on a resolution

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Answer 6

Oct 2, 2023 10:28 AM in response to mac98aop

Go to System Settings->Displays.

At the right there is a "+" button/menu where you can add a display:

Are you not seeing your iPad on the list of options in this menu?

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Answer 7

mac98aop

Level 1

9 points

Oct 2, 2023 8:36 AM in response to marniefromottawa

Thanks for all the updates Marnie. I just can't get it to work either. Totally hopeless. Sidecar is working (it offers option to my external LCD second display) but I want/require it on my iPad.

Any luck or joy with you?

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Answer 8

Oct 2, 2023 9:52 AM in response to mac98aop

mac98aop wrote:

Thanks for all the updates Marnie. I just can't get it to work either. Totally hopeless. Sidecar is working (it offers option to my external LCD second display) but I want/require it on my iPad.

Any luck or joy with you?

Sorry, I don't understand: you wrote "Sidecar is working" but "I want it on my iPad"?!

Sidecar is the feature that allows you to use an iPad as an external display to your mac...

And, FWIW, I just tested to make sure... I can perfectly use my iPad and also another display together with my MBP, for a total of three displays. I did it with Monterey, then Ventura and now also with Sonoma. It works...

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Answer 9

mac98aop

Level 1

9 points

Oct 2, 2023 10:18 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry I wasn’t clear.

What I mean is that I can’t see my iPad listed if for instance I long click on the green button of a window, but my other external display is there.

So I can’t see how to send a screen or window to my iPad. It’s not appearing as being connected.

clear as mud?!

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Answer 10

Oct 3, 2023 7:12 AM in response to mac98aop

Your problem is separate from the OP, and only now I am realizing it.

I have no problem discussing this here, but for the future it is better to start a new thread and give details about your devices and OS versions.

So to return to basics:

a) what is your iPad model? and

b) have you ever been able to use this iPad with Sidecar?

At the moment, I wonder if quite simply you have an iPad that is too old. For example, I have a 7th generation iPad that works fine, and 3rd generation that never supported this feature (but still works well after all these years!).

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