How to connect iPad to MacBook as second monitor

TheLittles wrote:

slava278 Said:

"How can I fix this? Sidecar cannot connect wirelessly because the Wi‑Fi network of this iPad is unavailable. To use Sidecar wirelessly, turn on Wi‑Fi and make sure that it is not used for modem mode."

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I. Troubleshooting AirPlay:

The OP is asking about Sidecar – not about generic AirPlay. The Support document for Sidecar lists several requirements, including these:

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Use an iPad as a second display for a Mac - Apple Support

Additional requirements

• Both devices must be signed in with the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication.
• To use Sidecar wirelessly, both devices must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff turned on. Your iPad must not be sharing its cellular connection and your Mac must not be sharing its internet connection.
• To use Sidecar over USB, your iPad must be set to trust your Mac.
• Make sure your Mac is using the latest version of macOS.

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The requirement that "Your iPad must not be sharing its cellular connection" might be relevant to the OP. If the iPad is sharing its connection, perhaps this is the reason why "the Wi-Fi network of this iPad is unavailable."

I toggled the Handoff option off/on (Under AirPlay & Handoff section) and confirmed all boxes were on and it fixed the issue. I am running MacBook M3 Pro and IPad Pro. Hope this helps and happy to share more if needed. ^Jay

I solved the problem by turning airplane mode on and off.

I tried everything I found here and on reddit and in the end what worked was this: on my iPad I changed my Apple ID password, then on my Air I signed out of my Apple ID (I went to settings, clicked on my name and then on "sign out"), restarted the computer and then added my ID account again with the new password. I hope it works for you, too. Good luck!

Not sure if this will work for everyone, but I had to update my Mac and iPad, plug my iPad into my Mac to use Sidecar via USB-C and allow the iPad to trust my Mac again. I have a 2020 13-inch Macbook Pro running macOS Sonoma 14.4 and a 7th generation iPad running iPad OS 17.4.1. I had previously trusted my Mac on my iPad, so I'm not sure why that got reset, but it seems to have solved the problem for now.

SOLVED IT. FINALLY!

Go to iPad settings, and next to your name and photo, if you have issues with iCloud Sync, or your Name, etc., if you clear out the errors, it might solve your issues as well. For me, once I cleared the encryption between iPad and MacBook and iCloud Sync, I was once again able to connect as I always did.

Good Luck!

I was going insane with my sidecar not working. Cutting in and out every other second. I worked on it for a good hour and no luck. I couldn't even get my iPad icon to show.

I unplugged my router though and plugged back in and this morning at least at this writing , it's back up and running. We shall see, and maybe that's something to try if you haven't already

Took me a while but I finally solved it on mine:

IN iPad Settings, next to your name and photo, Check your iCloud Sync on iPad. IF it's showing errors to solve or other issues to correct, it should solve the sidecar connectivity issue.

Again, in ICloud, Make sure you aren't having trouble with your back up or end to end encryption of data sharing.

You can find this setting in your iPad settings next to your name and photo. Good Luck!

Sign out and Sign In your apple ID on both devices. Works for me!

This method ended up working for me. Try logging out of both devices and then log back in. Worked for me!!! Thank you!

This worked. I just disabled Handoff on both devices and then enabled both again and it cleared the hurdle.

slava278 Said:

"How can I fix this? Sidecar cannot connect wirelessly because the Wi‑Fi network of this iPad is unavailable. To use Sidecar wirelessly, turn on Wi‑Fi and make sure that it is not used for modem mode."

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I. Troubleshooting AirPlay:

A. Compatibility being the Culprit:

Have a compatible TV?:

1. Go here: Use AirPlay to Stream Video or Mirror the Screen of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
2. As it Reads: "Use AirPlay to stream or share content from your Apple devices to your Apple TV or AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV. Stream a video."

B. Go here: If AirPlay or Screen Mirroring isn’t Working On your Device - Apple Support

II. Troubleshooting iPad WiFi:

A. Delete a VPN:

A VPN is a common a culprit. So, disconnect from it, unless required for work, school, and such.

B. Start Here: If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won’t Connect to a Wi-Fi Network - Apple Support

C. Clear Temporary Internet Files:

If Wifi is disconnecting, try clearing out your Temporary Internet Files: History, Cache, and Cookies. Go Here: Clear your Safari Browser History and Set Up Content Blockers on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

D. Report this to Apple:

Did you just update your device?

Do your part: Let Apple know what is going on here. Provide them with feedback on this. They may not get back to you directly, but the more feedback they received on this, the more they will know what is going on, and what needs to be fixed in updates to come.

1. Go Here: Feedback - iPad - Apple
2. Comment: that it is after installing the update when the issue began
3. Select: "Bug Report" for the "Feedback Type"
4. Proceed from there aw necessary

I don’t know if this is a total coincidence but my space heater was right in front of my Wi-Fi extender. I moved it and it’s been working about 95% of the time ever since! I guess there are things that can interfere with Wi-Fi.? I don’t know if this helps, and I don’t know if I believe that this was the answer

I SOLVED IT!

IT ended up being a problem with my iCloud Sync. Make sure you aren't having trouble with your back up or end to end encryption of data sharing. You can find this setting in your iPad settings next to your name and photo. Good Luck!