How to sync an iPad with Mac mini and open the sidebar

The iPad should show up in the Finder sidebar when it is plugged into the Mac mini.

see > Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with your Mac - Apple Support

If it is not, go to Finder > Settings... > Sidebar tab > make sure that CDs, DVDs and iOS Devices is checked.

Your iPad will display itself as an item in the sidebar IF you have gone into Finder > Settings > Sidebar tab and check marked the box to display CDs, DVD, and iOS Devices.

Now, in the sidebar of a Finder window, you'll find your iPad listed. Click your iPad and the Finder window will present options to manage and sync content to the device.

Sync content between your Mac and iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch over Wi-Fi - Apple Support

If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Also make sure that you have clicked and turned down the arrow to show items in the Locations heading of the sidebar. The arrow only displays itself when the mouse pointer is on the word 'Locations' in the sidebar.

den.thed wrote:

The iPad should show up in the Finder sidebar when it is plugged into the Mac mini.

see > Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with your Mac - Apple Support

If it is not, go to Finder > Settings... > Sidebar tab > make sure that CDs, DVDs and iOS Devices is checked.

To the OP:

If you get nothing after doing the above, make sure that the cable is rated to carry data. Some cables only have the power pins connected – if you use one, the iPad will charge, but the Mac and iPad won't be able to see each other, so the Sidebar entry for the iPad will fail to appear.

I could be mistaken, but you might also see a dialog on the iPad asking if it is OK to trust this computer.

iPads and iPhones do not show up on the desktop in the later macOS versions.

The way to manually sync and manage your iPad with your Mac mini is using Finder.

Plug the iPad into the Mac mini and select the iPad's icon in the Locations section of the Finder sidebar.

DanMccarter wrote:

Thanks for the help

The problem is that I can't seem to open the lopen the side bar. I have found the to menu items showing hide and show the bar and have been able to click the show button but nothing shows up on my desk. top

It seems to me that you may be misunderstanding what the sidebar is and does.

The sidebar only shows itself when you have a Finder window open. It's a simple slide-out at the left side of a Finder window. It does not open separately from a Finder window, nor does it cause the display of any device icon on the desktop.

Use the Finder on Mac - Apple Support

Customize the Finder sidebar on Mac - Apple Support

To Show or Hide the sidebar in a Finder window, in the Finder menu bar click View > Show Sidebar.

The keyboard shortcut to show or hide the sidebar is control-command-S (⌃⌘S).

Re: “nothing shows up on my desk. top”

The sidebar appears in Finder windows - not by itself on the Desktop.

You're welcome.