Connecting MAC air to iPad

Raythompmusic wrote:

I have a music app (MainStage) which I run on my MacBook Air. I have this on stage with me. I want to connect an iPad to it via Bluetooth so adjustments can be made on the iPad for sound levels. The MacBook Air will be mirrored on the iPad. Can I do this? If not possible with a MacBook Air is it possible with a MacBook Pro?

No you can't connect to Apple devices via bluetooth unless you're tethering.

Bluetooth profiles that iOS and iPadOS support - Apple Support

Raythompmusic wrote:

I will explore the sidecar method. Excuse the ignorance but, what is sidecar? Is it an app or some kind of mode that I need to turn on?

Sidecar lets you use an iPad as a second display for a Mac – and, to a certain extent, it lets you use an iPad as an input device for a Mac.

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

It is a built-in feature on supported Macs and iPads – not an app. See the Support document for details on how to set up and use the feature.

You may want to check and see whether Sidecar will do what you want. ("With Sidecar, you can use your iPad as a display that extends or mirrors your Mac desktop.").

Continuity features and requirements on Apple devices - Apple Support

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

When you are using Sidecar wirelessly, it makes use of both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but not in a traditional Bluetooth pairing sort of way.

Raythompmusic wrote:

Excuse the ignorance but, what is sidecar?

In common usage, a sidecar is "a car attached to the side of a motorcycle for a passenger." Here, the Mac is the "motorcycle" driving down the highway, and the iPad is the "sidecar" being dragged along …