Once the settings are enabled, Sidecar should work effortlessly. This article explains where to set it up and what to do if your Mac and iPad can't get Sidecar to work or stay connected.
Here are the most likely reasons why Sidecar won't run at all on Mac and iPad:
- Apple ID inconsistency : You need to be logged in with the same Apple ID on both devices for Sidecar to work properly.
- Unsupported devices : Sidecar is not an option on all iPads and Macs. Verify your model is supported.
- Outdated system software : Sidecar issues may mean your device needs an operating system update. Check that your iPad and Mac have the latest iPadOS and macOS versions.
Please try the following fixes to enable Sidecar to work with your Mac and iPad. Make sure to perform the repairs in order, as they start with the simplest and gradually become more involved.
Make sure you are logged in to the same Apple ID account. On a Mac, check from Apple menu > System Settings . Confirm your Apple ID from the Settings app on your iPad.
Double check if your device is supported. Our article on Sidecar explains which devices support using this feature.
Make sure your iPad and Mac are up to date. Check System Settings > General > Software Update on Mac, and Settings > General > Software Update on iPad.
Check to make sure your iPad is unlocked. If your iPad is locked, you won't be able to use Sidecar.
Check if the toggle is enabled. Handoff is a feature that allows Mac and iOS devices to share data wirelessly. It's enabled by default, but double-check that both devices are still turned on from System Settings / Settings > General > Airplay & Handoff .
Check your iPad Bluetooth settings. There may be Bluetooth communication issues between the devices. Try turning Bluetooth off and on again on your Mac and iPad.
Keep your device close. While the Bluetooth range is pretty good (30 feet), you'll need to keep the two devices close together to ensure timeouts don't occur.
Try restarting both devices. Sometimes, a quick restart of your iPad or Mac can resolve communication issues or clear corrupt files from memory and get the systems talking to each other again.
Try plugging your iPad into your Mac. Plug your iPad into your Mac using a USB cable to resolve any wireless connection issues.
Check if your iPad is a trusted device with two-factor authentication settings. If you added your iPad as a trusted device via two-factor authentication on your Mac, you should see it in the list of trusted devices from Apple Menu > Settings > Apple ID > Trusted Devices at the bottom of the screen.
Make sure your Mac is not sharing its Wi-Fi connection. The same goes for iPads that share a cellular connection.
Clear the black screen. If you see a black screen, click the Apple logo > System Settings > Display > Arrange and turn on the Mirroring option on your Mac and turn it off to reset it.
Not all iPads support Sidecar. Compatible devices include all models of iPad Pro, iPad 6 and later, iPad Mini 5 and later, and iPad Air 3 and later.
Apple provides a list of compatible devices on its support website. In addition to the iPad requirements, you'll also need a suitable Mac. Generally speaking, you can run Sidecar if your Mac is from 2019 or newer, but some earlier models can use the feature as well.
