You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

📢 Newsroom Update

The new iPad mini is available today. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: RileyHarder
RileyHarder Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

iPad does not take up full external display

My iPad does not take up the full area it can use on some external monitors. While some work as intended, with only space on the sides due to different aspect ratios, some also leave bars on the top and bottom as well, as seen in this image. In this case, it's going to a capture card, but I've also seen it on regular monitors, especially when trying to use powerpoint. Is there a way to adjust display settings like this on the iPad? I haven't been able to find anything but thought I should ask.



Red box is the outline of the screen.

iPad Air (4th generation)

Posted on Jul 3, 2023 9:29 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: LotusPilot
LotusPilot
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
288,776 points

Posted on Jul 3, 2023 9:37 AM

The tags appended to your post suggest that you have a fourth generation iPad Air.


Due to limitations of internal hardware, the new Stage Manager feature introduced with iPadOS 16.1 is only available for these models of iPad:


  • iPad Air (5th generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (all generations)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)


Feature availability is usually limited by system hardware - CPU and available RAM being critical to some advanced functionality.


iPad models supporting Stage Manager have an M2, M1 or A12X CPU (upon which the M-series CPUs are reportedly based) - with at least 8GB RAM. The iPad Air4 has only 4GB RAM.


For iPad models that do not support Stage Manager, a connected monitor/display will be limited to mirroring the iPad’s 4:3 aspect-ratio. As such, you will see “letterboxing” with black infill-bands to the left and right of the display - and depending upon the specific monitor, may also see infill-bands at top-and bottom per your screenshot.


Some monitors may have settings to stretch the image to fill the available screen; where used, image distortion will occur.


View in context

Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: LotusPilot
LotusPilot
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
288,776 points

Jul 3, 2023 9:37 AM in response to RileyHarder

The tags appended to your post suggest that you have a fourth generation iPad Air.


Due to limitations of internal hardware, the new Stage Manager feature introduced with iPadOS 16.1 is only available for these models of iPad:


  • iPad Air (5th generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (all generations)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)


Feature availability is usually limited by system hardware - CPU and available RAM being critical to some advanced functionality.


iPad models supporting Stage Manager have an M2, M1 or A12X CPU (upon which the M-series CPUs are reportedly based) - with at least 8GB RAM. The iPad Air4 has only 4GB RAM.


For iPad models that do not support Stage Manager, a connected monitor/display will be limited to mirroring the iPad’s 4:3 aspect-ratio. As such, you will see “letterboxing” with black infill-bands to the left and right of the display - and depending upon the specific monitor, may also see infill-bands at top-and bottom per your screenshot.


Some monitors may have settings to stretch the image to fill the available screen; where used, image distortion will occur.


Reply

iPad does not take up full external display

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up