Sidecar Not Working on iPad? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Handoff turned off, the devices on different Wi-Fi networks, or, when you use Sidecar wirelessly, the devices more than 10 meters (30 feet) apart
• Your Mac and iPad not signed in to the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication
• A Mac, iPad, macOS version or iPadOS version that Sidecar doesn’t work with
• Your iPad sharing its cellular connection, or your Mac sharing its internet connection, when you use Sidecar wirelessly
• An iPad that isn’t set to trust your Mac when you connect over USB
• Wireless interference, which can affect Sidecar performance when you use it wirelessly

Step-by-Step Solutions

Start with the requirement checks, then work through the steps in order and try Sidecar again after each one.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check that your Mac and iPad work with Sidecar

   Sidecar works only with the Mac and iPad models and software versions Apple lists.

   Apple lists the devices and operating systems Sidecar works with. Find your Mac and your iPad below.

   • Mac: macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, on a MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later, iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015), or any other Mac model introduced in 2016 or later.
   • iPad: iPadOS 13 or later, on any iPad Pro, iPad (6th generation) or later, iPad mini (5th generation) or later, or iPad Air (3rd generation) or later.

   Good to know

   Sidecar settings are available only on computers that support Sidecar.

2. 2

   Step 2: Choose your iPad on your Mac

   You start Sidecar from your Mac, either in Control Center or in Displays settings.

   On your Mac, use Control Center: click screen mirroring in the menu bar, click Screen Mirroring, then choose your iPad.

   You can also open the System Settings app on your Mac and click Displays in the sidebar. You may need to scroll down. To change Sidecar options, such as extending or mirroring your Mac display, choose your iPad in Displays, then choose from the available options.

   Good to know

   On macOS Ventura 13 or later, Sidecar settings are in System Settings: click Displays in the sidebar, then click your iPad at the top of the window.

3. 3

   Step 3: Use the same Apple Account on both devices

   Sidecar needs both devices signed in with the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication.

   Both your Mac and your iPad must be signed in with the same Apple Account, and that account must use two-factor authentication.

   If Sidecar isn’t working, Apple asks you to check this.

4. 4

   Step 4: Turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Handoff

   Apple asks you to make sure both devices have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Handoff turned on and are on the same Wi-Fi network.

   Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Handoff turned on, and that they’re on the same Wi-Fi network.

   Handoff is turned on by default, but it’s worth checking. On your iPad, open Settings, tap General, tap AirPlay & Continuity (or AirPlay & Handoff), then turn on Handoff.

   On a Mac with macOS Ventura 13 or later, choose System Settings from the Apple menu, click General in the sidebar, then click AirDrop & Continuity (or AirDrop & Handoff). Turn on “Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.”

5. 5

   Step 5: Move your iPad closer and reduce interference

   Wireless Sidecar needs the devices within 10 meters (30 feet), and interference can affect how it performs.

   To use Sidecar wirelessly, your Mac and iPad must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other.

   Wireless interference can affect Sidecar performance when you use it wirelessly. Interference can stop Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices from connecting or staying connected. These steps can help:

   • Bring the devices that are connecting to each other closer together.
   • Avoid using them near power cables, microwave ovens, fluorescent lights, wireless video cameras and cordless phones.
   • Avoid physical obstructions in the path of the wireless signal.
   • If your Mac uses USB 3 or Thunderbolt 3 devices, including USB hubs, move them farther away from your wireless devices.
6. 6

   Step 6: Turn off Personal Hotspot and Internet Sharing

   Wireless Sidecar needs your iPad not to be sharing its cellular connection and your Mac not to be sharing its internet connection.

   To use Sidecar wirelessly, your iPad must not be sharing its cellular connection, and your Mac must not be sharing its internet connection.

   On an iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular), open Settings, then tap Personal Hotspot (or tap Cellular, then Personal Hotspot). Turn off Allow Others to Join.

   On your Mac, choose System Settings from the Apple menu, click General in the sidebar, then click Sharing. You may need to scroll down. If Internet Sharing is turned on, turn it off.

7. 7

   Step 7: Check your VPN

   Apple’s Sidecar setup page asks you to check that a VPN doesn’t prevent local networking.

   If you’re using a VPN, make sure its configuration doesn’t prevent local networking. Apple lists this check before you set up Sidecar, because a VPN configuration that prevents local networking may interfere with some Continuity features.

8. 8

   Step 8: Connect with USB and trust your Mac

   Over USB, your iPad must be set to trust your Mac.

   You can connect your Mac and iPad with the USB cable that came with your iPad, or another cable that matches the ports on both devices. Apple says that to keep your iPad charged during use, you can connect it directly to your Mac with the USB charge cable that came with your iPad.

   To use Sidecar over USB, your iPad must be set to trust your Mac. The first time you connect, an alert asks whether you trust the computer. Enter your passcode to unlock your iPad if you have one, then tap Trust.

   If the alert won’t appear, or your Mac doesn’t accept your answer, try these steps and try again after each one: make sure your Mac has the latest version of macOS, disconnect and reconnect your iPad, restart your Mac, then restart your iPad.

   Good to know

   A trusted computer can sync with your iPad and access its photos, videos, contacts and other content. If you tap Don’t Trust, the alert appears every time you connect your iPad to that Mac.

9. 9

   Step 9: Update iPadOS and macOS

   Apple recommends installing the latest updates if you’re having difficulty with Sidecar.

   On your iPad, back up first using iCloud or your computer, then plug it into power and connect to Wi-Fi. Open Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update. If an update is available, tap Download and Install, then follow the onscreen instructions.

   On your Mac, back up first. Choose System Settings from the Apple menu, click General in the sidebar, then click Software Update. If software is available, click the button to update, upgrade or restart now.

   Let the Mac installation finish without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid.

10. 10

    Step 10: Reset network settings if the Trust alert won’t appear

    This is one of Apple’s later steps when the Trust alert won’t appear or your Mac won’t accept your answer.

    If you’re using USB and the Trust alert still won’t appear, you can reset your iPad’s network settings. Open Settings, tap General, tap Transfer or Reset iPad, tap Reset, then tap Reset Network Settings.

    Then connect your iPad to your Mac again and look for the Trust alert.

    Good to know

    Resetting network settings also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you’ve used before.

Frequently Asked Questions