You can use a compatible iPad mini as a second screen for a Mac with Apple’s Sidecar feature. Apple’s reviewed instructions do not document using an iPad mini as a display receiver for an iPhone. Sidecar runs from a Mac; it is not an iPhone-to-iPad display feature.
Use Sidecar to connect an iPad mini to a Mac
Sidecar lets a compatible iPad extend a Mac’s desktop or mirror it. Before setting it up, check that both devices meet Apple’s requirements.
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- iPad: iPad mini (5th generation) or later, running iPadOS 13 or later.
- Mac: A Sidecar-compatible Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later.
- Account: Both devices must be signed in to the same Apple Account with two-factor authentication enabled.
See Apple’s Sidecar requirements and connection guidance for the supported-device details.
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Connect wirelessly
For wireless Sidecar, turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Handoff on both devices. Keep them within 10 metres (30 feet). Internet sharing can prevent the connection, and a VPN configuration that blocks local networking can interfere with Continuity features.
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- WHY IPAD MINI — The full iPad experience in an ultraportable design. Featuring Apple Intelligence.* With an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display,* ultrafast A17 Pro chip, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage, USB-C connectivity, superfast Wi-Fi 6E, and compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro.* Take notes, mark up documents, and edit photos and videos.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly.* With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple. (Coming fall 2024.)
- 8.3-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display features advanced technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything look stunning.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The A17 Pro chip delivers powerful performance and ultrafast graphics. And with all-day battery life, iPad mini is always ready for any task or project.* Storage starting at 128GB for all your apps, music, movies, and more.*
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos. iPad mini comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps available on the App Store.
Connect with a cable
A USB connection is optional. It can be useful if you want to keep the iPad charged while using Sidecar; for a USB connection, the iPad must trust the Mac. Check the ports on your specific devices before choosing a cable: older iPad mini models may use a different connector. Apple explains the connection options in its Sidecar setup guide.
Start Sidecar in macOS
- On the Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > Displays.
- Choose Add Display, then select your iPad mini.
- Choose whether to extend or mirror the Mac display. Arrange the displays in settings if needed.
On macOS 12.5 or earlier, Apple’s setup guidance uses System Preferences rather than System Settings; labels and locations can vary by macOS version.
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- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Choose between extending and mirroring
| Sidecar mode | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Extend | Adds workspace so you can place different windows on the Mac and iPad screens. | Use it when you want extra room for documents, reference material or other Mac windows. |
| Mirror | Shows the same Mac view on both displays. | Use it when you want the iPad to show what is on the Mac screen rather than serve as separate workspace. |
In extended mode, move a window to the iPad by dragging it to the edge of the Mac display or using the window’s Move to option. Apple’s guide also describes interacting with Mac content using Apple Pencil; Pencil compatibility depends on the iPad mini generation.
Disconnect the iPad mini
End the Sidecar session by deselecting the iPad in Screen Mirroring on the Mac, or disconnect from the Sidecar controls on the iPad.
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- WHY IPAD MINI — The full iPad experience in an ultraportable design. Featuring Apple Intelligence.* With an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display,* ultrafast A17 Pro chip, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage, USB-C connectivity, superfast Wi-Fi 6E, and compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro.* Take notes, mark up documents, and edit photos and videos.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly.* With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple. (Coming fall 2024.)
- 8.3-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display features advanced technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything look stunning.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The A17 Pro chip delivers powerful performance and ultrafast graphics. And with all-day battery life, iPad mini is always ready for any task or project.* Storage starting at 128GB for all your apps, music, movies, and more.*
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos. iPad mini comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps available on the App Store.
Can an iPad mini be a second screen for an iPhone?
Apple’s reviewed support material does not establish an iPad mini as a second-screen receiver for an iPhone. Do not follow Sidecar steps expecting them to connect an iPhone to the iPad: Sidecar is for extending or mirroring a Mac desktop.
Apple documents a different AirPlay direction: an iPhone can send or mirror content to a compatible Mac with AirPlay Receiver enabled. That makes the Mac the receiving display, not the iPad mini. Apple’s Continuity requirements describe both features. Its guidance for connecting an iPad to an external display concerns the iPad as the source, not an iPhone sending its screen to an iPad over USB; see iPad USB-C display connections.
Rank #4
- WHY IPAD MINI — The full iPad experience in an ultraportable design. Featuring Apple Intelligence.* With an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display,* ultrafast A17 Pro chip, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage, USB-C connectivity, superfast Wi-Fi 6E, and compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro.* Take notes, mark up documents, and edit photos and videos.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly.* With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple. (Coming fall 2024.)
- 8.3-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display features advanced technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything look stunning.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The A17 Pro chip delivers powerful performance and ultrafast graphics. And with all-day battery life, iPad mini is always ready for any task or project.* Storage starting at 128GB for all your apps, music, movies, and more.*
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos. iPad mini comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps available on the App Store.
If your goal is to see iPhone content on a larger screen, AirPlay to a compatible Mac is the documented option among these Apple features. The reviewed Apple guidance does not confirm a universal iPhone-to-iPad-mini second-screen workflow.
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- Gorgeous 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone - A15 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- 12MP Wide back camera, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
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- Up to 10 hours of battery life - Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
- USB-C connector for charging and accessories - Supports Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
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