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You can use a tablet as a laptop’s second screen if your devices support a compatible display feature. For a supported Mac and iPad, use Apple Sidecar; for select Windows PCs and Galaxy tablets, check Samsung Second screen. Other device pairs may need third-party software, and support for every combination is not guaranteed.
Choose the connection that matches your devices
| Device pair | Built-in option | What to check | What the sources establish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supported Mac and iPad | Apple Sidecar | Supported models and operating systems; same Apple Account with two-factor authentication | Wireless or trusted USB connection; can extend or mirror the Mac desktop |
| Select Windows PC and Galaxy Tab | Samsung Second screen | Exact tablet model, One UI version, PC Wireless Display support, and Windows version | Samsung’s Canada support result describes mirroring; check the behavior for your exact setup |
| Other laptop and tablet combinations | Third-party display software may be an option | Current support for both devices, connection method, display mode, and pricing | Universal tablet receiver support is not established by the official pages cited here |
Use an iPad with a Mac through Sidecar
Check compatibility and prerequisites
Apple Sidecar supports extending or mirroring a Mac desktop on an iPad. Apple lists macOS Catalina 10.15 or later and iPadOS 13 or later, along with specific supported Mac and iPad generations. Check Apple’s Sidecar compatibility and setup page for your exact models.
Both devices must be signed in to the same Apple Account, with two-factor authentication enabled. For wireless use, Apple requires Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff to be on, and the devices to be within 10 meters (30 feet). Apple also lists internet-sharing and cellular-sharing conditions that can prevent wireless Sidecar from working; consult its setup page if the devices do not connect.
Connect and move windows
- Wireless: Turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff on the Mac and iPad, and make sure both are signed in to the same Apple Account with two-factor authentication.
- On the Mac, open System Settings, choose Displays, then select the iPad.
- Move a window to the iPad by dragging it there or using the Mac’s move-to-iPad option. Choose whether to extend or mirror the desktop in the display controls.
- USB: Connect the iPad directly to the Mac with a cable that fits both devices. If prompted, trust the Mac on the iPad. A direct connection can also keep the iPad charged while Sidecar is in use.
Apple describes the feature this way: “With Sidecar, you can use your iPad as a display that extends or mirrors your Mac desktop.” See Apple’s Sidecar instructions for the current controls and model list.
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Use a Galaxy Tab with a Windows PC
Check regional and device support
Samsung’s US support result lists Galaxy Tab S7, S8, S9, and S10 devices running One UI 3.1 or later, paired with select PCs that support Wireless Display and run Windows 10 version 2004 or later. Samsung’s Canada result lists Galaxy Tab S7 and S8 series and describes the result as mirroring. Because the regional pages differ in the models they list, verify the current Samsung support information for your country and exact tablet and PC.
Start Second screen
On a supported Galaxy Tab, open the Second screen feature. On the Windows PC, the required Wireless Display capability must be available. Samsung’s support information describes the supported pairing, but the cited regional material does not establish identical behavior for every model or configuration. Check whether your specific setup mirrors the screen or offers an extended desktop before relying on it as extra workspace.
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What to do with other Windows and tablet combinations
Microsoft documents projecting from Windows to a wireless display, and says the Wireless Display app is available on Windows 11 version 22H2 and later. That describes a Windows-side projection capability; it does not mean that any tablet can receive the signal or serve as an extended display. Confirm that the tablet supports acting as a receiver and whether the connection mirrors or extends the desktop. See Microsoft’s wireless display instructions.
If your devices lack a compatible built-in route, third-party display software may support your pairing. Before installing or paying for an app, check its vendor’s current host and tablet requirements, supported connection methods, available display modes, and pricing. The available official support pages do not establish a universal solution or verify current third-party compatibility.
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Optional accessories
- Tablet stand: Useful for positioning the tablet beside the laptop at a comfortable viewing angle, but it does not enable the display connection.
- USB cable: Needed only if you choose a supported wired setup or want to charge the tablet. For Sidecar, use a cable that fits both devices; wireless Sidecar does not require one.
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