iPad Air times out when used as an extended display

iPad Air (4th gen) on 26.1 iOS keeps timing out when it is an extended display. I extend my Macbook Pro on Tahoe 26.1 to my iPad so I can draw directly into Toon Boom Harmony. In the last month after about 20 minutes, the cursor stops moving and then the screen blacks out. The window I was working on snaps back to the Mac and then my iPad resets itself. If I have an extended display and nothing occurs, then it doesn't time out. It's only when I am constantly working on it. I checked the auto-lock and it's set to never. I even updated from 18.6 to 26.1 thinking it would fix this problem. I am looked up if anyone else has this issue but they're from years ago.

Posted on Nov 29, 2025 6:25 PM

Reply

Similar questions

2 replies

AlWeir

Level 5

5,103 points

Nov 30, 2025 6:04 AM in response to kesha294

fix is to disable the Auto-Lock feature on your iPad Air:

Open the Settings app on your iPad.
Tap on Display & Brightness.
Tap on Auto-Lock.
Select Never.

This prevents your iPad's screen from automatically sleeping after a period of inactivity, which is often what causes the connection to time out.

Reply

kesha294 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 30, 2025 6:49 PM in response to AlWeir

It's already set to this and has been for years. I even changed it and went back to this setting prior to posting. It only times out when I'm using the iPad physically.

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.

iPad Air times out when used as an extended 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