User profile for user: hashtag_sauntering
hashtag_sauntering Author
User level: Level 1
24 points

On Apple Silicon devices, can an iMac be used as a second screen for an iPad Pro? (As opposed to the other way around)

Clearly iPads can be used as a second screen and input device for Macs. I have seen a lot of information about Sidecar use.

BUT my question is different.


Please consider a setup consisting of a basic iMac used mainly for web browsing and word processing tasks, and a maxed out spec iPad Pro mainly for artwork purposes using the Apple Pro Pencil.


Can I use the iMac as a second, larger screen for the iPad and its apps that I probably wouldn’t have on the iMac? And make use of iPad that has greater processing power than the iMac actually does?


Or is there any other alternative solution other than buying a dedicated display screen to enlarge the iPad display?


(It is a pity iOS doesn’t quite cut it for fully-fledged academic word processing capabilities - as far as I am aware…)

Posted on Jul 7, 2024 10:55 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Servant of Cats
Servant of Cats
User level: Level 8
44,571 points

Posted on Jul 7, 2024 11:11 PM

Macs cannot be used as hardware monitors for iPads.


If your Mac is recent enough, and running Monterey or later, you can set it up as an AirPlay Receiver ("AirPlay To Mac"). You could then try to AirPlay from your iPad to it, in much the same way you would AirPlay to an Apple TV set-top box.


Continuity features and requirements on Apple devices - Apple Support

Set up your Mac to be an AirPlay Receiver - Apple Support


As an alternative, you might consider buying a real monitor that has multiple video inputs – and could serve as a monitor both for an iPad and for a Mac. (Keeping in mind that iPads don't have the same level of multiple-screen support that Macs do.)

View in context

Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Servant of Cats
Servant of Cats
User level: Level 8
44,571 points

Jul 7, 2024 11:11 PM in response to hashtag_sauntering

Macs cannot be used as hardware monitors for iPads.


If your Mac is recent enough, and running Monterey or later, you can set it up as an AirPlay Receiver ("AirPlay To Mac"). You could then try to AirPlay from your iPad to it, in much the same way you would AirPlay to an Apple TV set-top box.


Continuity features and requirements on Apple devices - Apple Support

Set up your Mac to be an AirPlay Receiver - Apple Support


As an alternative, you might consider buying a real monitor that has multiple video inputs – and could serve as a monitor both for an iPad and for a Mac. (Keeping in mind that iPads don't have the same level of multiple-screen support that Macs do.)

Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

On Apple Silicon devices, can an iMac be used as a second screen for an iPad Pro? (As opposed to the other way around)

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