iPad Sidecar onscreen keyboard missing tab key

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iPad Sidecar onscreen keyboard missing tab key

I want to mirror my Mac's screen to my iPad and then use my iPad to control my Mac from a different room, without using an external keyboard. This worked, with two exceptions. While mirroring the Mac's screen, the iPad's mirroring onscreen keyboard is missing both escape and tab keys. The command, option, and control keys are provided in the mirroring sidebar, but escape and tab keys are unavailable there, as well as missing from the onscreen keyboard.

Is there a way in which to use the escape and tab keys while mirroring my Mac's screen? These keys are necessary when working in Terminal and vim.

iPad Air 4 at latest iPadOS version

16" 2019 MacBook Pro at latest macOS version

iPad Air (4th generation)

Posted on Apr 2, 2025 8:16 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 4, 2025 8:50 AM in response to BevInTX

Ah... an excellent question.

Insofar as I understand, Sidecar isn't designed to allow full remote control of a Mac from an iPad - and for this reason you may encounter difficulties with what you are attempting.

As an alternative, consider exploring Duet Air:

https://www.duetdisplay.com/

https://apps.apple.com/app/duet-display/id935754064

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Answer 2

BevInTX Author

Level 1

42 points

Apr 4, 2025 9:05 AM in response to BevInTX

I found that using command + . for the escape key works in the Vim editor. I read about that here:

https://osxdaily.com/2019/04/12/how-type-escape-key-ipad/

but none of the other options works. I'm glad that one of them does!

now I just need the tab key,

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Answer 3

Apr 4, 2025 3:56 PM in response to BevInTX

Apple invite submission of comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback portal. If you would like to see a specific feature or functionality in a future version of iPadOS, this would be the most appropriate channel through which to make a request:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

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Answer 4

Apr 4, 2025 7:47 AM in response to BevInTX

You will need to consider using a third-party keyboard App - such as Typefinity:

https://apps.apple.com/app/typefinity/id1512009869

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Answer 5

BevInTX Author

Level 1

42 points

Apr 4, 2025 9:33 AM in response to LotusPilot

Thanks! Duet Air looks like a good possibility.

I looked around on their site and found the following webpage, which shows all of the extra keys along the bottom of the screen. It even includes arrow keys. I'll investigate further.

https://www.duetdisplay.com/help-center/fixing-cmd-key-shortcuts-in-duet-display

It's a subscription service, so ideally, finding a way in which to type a tab key would still be best.

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Answer 6

BevInTX Author

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42 points

Apr 4, 2025 8:34 AM in response to LotusPilot

Would that keyboard actually be used in Sidecar? I normally use the regular full size onscreen keyboard, which has a tab key. But in Sidecar (app actually says Continuity) I can only use a small floating keyboard. It won't let me switch to the full sized keyboard. I've attached a picture.

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Answer 7

BevInTX Author

Level 1

42 points

Apr 4, 2025 3:24 PM in response to LotusPilot

I contacted Duet Support and was told, "While you are mirroring or extending the Macs screen into the iPad you can't control the Mac from the iPad; this one can only be used as a second screen. Also with the Duet remote access and other subscription tiers are the same."

I'll look into whether some other 3rd party app would accomplish what I want.

It would be nice if there's a way to type a tab character in Apple's Sidecar/Continuity.

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Answer 8

BevInTX Author

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42 points

Apr 4, 2025 10:17 AM in response to LotusPilot

I forgot to ask, what functionality, other than anything requiring a reboot or logoff, is missing in Sidecar?

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iPad Sidecar onscreen keyboard missing tab key

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