How to Use Your iPad As a Second Monitor

Last Updated: May 25, 2021

This wikiHow teaches you how to use your iPad as a second monitor for your Mac or PC. You can use Duet Display to connect with a USB or lightning cable, or Air Display to connect wirelessly.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Using Duet Display

1
Download Duet Display from the App Store. This is a paid app that allows you to use your iPad as a second monitor for your PC or Mac. To use Duet Display, you’ll need your lightning or USB charging cable handy.^{[1]
X
Research source} You can select a different app if you wish—the setup steps should be similar.
2
Navigate to https://www.duetdisplay.com on your Mac or PC. You can use any web browser, such as Chrome or Safari, to access the website.

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3
Click Download Mac or Download PC. Duet Display should now start downloading to your computer. Once the download is complete, you can move to the next step.
4
Run the installer file. To do this, double-click the file you just downloaded, then follow the on-screen instructions. This will install Duet Display on your computer.^{[2]
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Research source}
- If you’re using a Mac, you’ll be prompted to install a required graphics driver. After the driver is installed, you’ll have to restart your Mac.
- If you’re using a PC, you won’t need to install drivers, but you will need to restart your computer once the installation is complete.
5
Open Duet Display on your iPad. It’s the blue “d” icon on the home screen. You’ll see a message that says “Connect to Mac or PC.”
6
Connect the iPad to the computer with a USB to 30 pin or lightning cable. You can use the same cable you use to charge and/or sync your iPad. After a moment, your iPad should now display a part of your computer’s desktop.
7
Adjust your display settings. You can configure all types of settings, such as the location/position of the iPad monitor (e.g. to the left or right of the primary monitor) in your computer’s display settings. Here’s where to find those:^{[3]
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Research source}
- macOS: Click Displays under System Preferences, then select Arrangement. You can drag the screens around in the order you desire.
- Windows: Click the Duet icon in the system tray (usually at the bottom-right corner of the screen, near the clock), then click the link to your display settings.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Using Air Display

1
Download Air Display 3 from the App Store. Air Display is a paid app that allows you to use your iPad as a second monitor for your Mac or PC. You won’t need to use a cable (though you can, if you want), as Air Display can connect wirelessly.
- The computer and iPad must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network to use the wireless method.
2
Navigate to https://avatron.com/air-display-hosts/ on your PC or Mac. You can use any web browser, such as Safari or Chrome, to download the required files to your computer.^{[4]
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Research source}
3
Fill out the form and click Download Now. In a few moments, you will receive an email from Air Display that contains a download link.
4
Click the link in the email to download the installer. This will download a program that will install the Air Display host app and drivers.
5
Run the installer file. Double-click the file you just downloaded, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- You may have to give the app permission to run, depending on your settings.
- When the installation is complete, you’ll find an Air Display icon in your Windows Taskbar or your Mac’s Applications folder.
6
Click the Air Display icon on the computer. This opens the app on the computer’s side.
7
Tap the Air Display icon on your iPad. The iPad is now ready to connect.
8
Select your iPad in Air Display on your computer. This will create a wireless connection between the two devices, and in a moment, you’ll see part of your computer’s desktop extended onto the iPad.
- If you prefer to use a USB cable, connect it before clicking your iPad—the devices will connect through the cable automatically.
9
Adjust your display settings. You can configure all types of settings, such as the location/position of the iPad monitor (e.g. to the left or right of the primary monitor) in your computer’s display settings. Here’s where to find those:^{[5]
X
Research source}
- macOS: Click Displays under System Preferences, then select Arrangement. You can drag the screens around in the order you desire.
- Windows: Click the Air Display icon in the system tray (usually at the bottom-right corner of the screen, near the clock), then click the link to your display settings.
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