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You can use a compatible iPad mini as a second screen for a Mac with Apple’s built-in Sidecar feature. Apple’s documented setup does not let an iPad mini act as a second-screen receiver for an iPhone. If you want a bigger view of iPhone content, Apple documents AirPlay from an iPhone to a compatible Mac—not to an iPad mini.
Use Sidecar to connect an iPad mini to a Mac
Sidecar lets a supported Mac extend its desktop onto an iPad or mirror the same Mac view on both screens. Apple lists iPad mini (5th generation) or later with iPadOS 13 or later as compatible; the Mac must also meet Apple’s Sidecar requirements, including macOS Catalina 10.15 or later. Check Apple’s Sidecar compatibility and connection requirements for your devices.
1. Check accounts and connection requirements
- Sign in to both devices with the same Apple Account and enable two-factor authentication.
- For wireless Sidecar, turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff on both devices, and keep them within 10 metres (30 feet).
- Neither device should share its internet connection in a way that conflicts with Sidecar. A VPN configuration that blocks local networking can also interfere with Continuity features.
- A USB cable is optional. For a wired session, connect the devices and tap Trust on the iPad if prompted; a cable can also keep the iPad charged while you work.
Apple’s Continuity requirements explain the network conditions that apply to these features.
2. Add the iPad mini in macOS
- On the Mac, open System Settings > Displays.
- Choose Add Display, then select your iPad mini.
- Choose whether to extend or mirror the Mac display. Arrange the displays in the Displays settings to match their physical positions.
On macOS 12.5 or earlier, Apple’s setup instructions use System Preferences rather than System Settings. See Apple’s Sidecar setup guide for the relevant controls.
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Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro): Apple Intelligence, 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6E, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Space Gray
- 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.
3. Move work to the iPad or end the session
With an extended desktop, move a window to the iPad by dragging it to the edge of the Mac display where the iPad is arranged, or use the window’s Move to option. To disconnect, deselect the iPad from Screen Mirroring on the Mac or use the Sidecar controls on the iPad.
Choose wireless or USB Sidecar
| Connection | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless | A flexible desk setup without a cable | Requires Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff on both devices, the same Apple Account with two-factor authentication, and a distance of no more than 10 metres (30 feet). Network sharing or a VPN that blocks local networking may interfere. |
| USB | A wired connection or keeping the iPad charged during Sidecar | Connect the Mac and iPad with a cable; the iPad must trust the Mac. Check the ports on both devices before choosing a cable, since connector types vary by iPad mini generation. |
Choose extend or mirror
- Extend gives you a separate workspace. Keep one app on the Mac and move another window to the iPad mini.
- Mirror shows the same Mac view on both displays, which is useful when you want the iPad to duplicate what is on the Mac rather than provide extra desktop space.
Sidecar also supports Apple Pencil interaction with Mac content on compatible iPads. Pencil support and accessory compatibility depend on the iPad mini generation; check the device-specific details before buying an accessory.
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Apple iPad 11-inch: A16 chip, 11-inch Model, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Blue
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- 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.
Can an iPad mini be an iPhone’s second screen?
Apple’s reviewed support guidance does not document using an iPad mini as a display that receives an iPhone’s screen. Sidecar is specifically a way to extend or mirror a Mac desktop to an iPad, so its setup steps do not apply to an iPhone.
Apple documents a different direction for AirPlay: an iPhone can send or mirror content to a compatible Mac with AirPlay Receiver enabled. That does not make the iPad mini an iPhone display. Likewise, Apple’s guidance for connecting a USB-C iPad to an external display describes the iPad as the source; it does not establish an iPhone-to-iPad-mini display connection. See Apple’s pages on Continuity features and connecting an iPad to an external display for those separate workflows.
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Best Value
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Apple 2021 iPad Mini 6 (8.3-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)
- 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
- Stay connected with ultrafast Wi-Fi 6 - Up to 256GB storage - Comes in 4 colors
- 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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Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro): Apple Intelligence, 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 256GB, Wi-Fi 6E, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Space Gray
- 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.
Rank #3
Sale
Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro): Apple Intelligence, 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6E, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Purple
- 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.
When Sidecar does not connect
- The iPad does not appear under Add Display: Confirm that both devices meet Sidecar’s system requirements and use the same Apple Account with two-factor authentication.
- Wireless connection fails: Check Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff on both devices, move them within 10 metres (30 feet), and check for internet sharing or a VPN that blocks local networking.
- USB connection fails: Confirm the cable works with the ports on both devices, then accept the Trust prompt on the iPad if it appears.
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