How do I use an iPad display and change its Sidecar controls?

What needs to be ready first?

Use a Sidecar-compatible iPad signed into the same Apple Account as the Mac, with two-factor authentication. Wireless Sidecar requires Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff on both devices, within 10 metres. Neither device should be sharing its internet connection. For a USB connection, the iPad must trust the Mac. See Apple's Sidecar setup guide for the complete compatibility list and requirements.

If the iPad has just restarted, unlock it once. Radar Display shows devices that the Sidecar service reports as available or part of a current connection attempt/session. A remembered but unreachable iPad may not appear.

How do I connect or disconnect the iPad?

1. Open Radar Display and find the iPad under Displays.
2. Turn its connection switch on.
3. Wait for the progress indicator. A connection attempt can take up to about 30 seconds before reporting a timeout.
4. Expand the connected iPad to use its settings.

Turn the switch off to end the Sidecar session. A failed connection or disconnection shows an error on the iPad's row and restores the previous switch request.

An available iPad starts off in Radar Display unless it already has a live Sidecar session. If you end Sidecar elsewhere, Radar Display updates its switch; it does not automatically restart that session. Quitting Radar Display does not deliberately end an existing Sidecar session.

The Connection row can show Wi-Fi or USB for a live session. If you want to use USB, connect and trust the iPad, then check the reported session rather than assuming that the cable changed an existing wireless connection.

Can the iPad extend, mirror or become the main display?

Yes. On the connected iPad's card, use Use as to choose Extended display, Main display, or an offered Mirror for [physical display name]. Radar Display does not offer a physical monitor a new mirror target pointing to the iPad.

When the iPad is extended and is not main, use Position to place it beside, above, or below another active display. These relative positions can be remembered for a returning session. See arranging displays.

Use the Aa text-size strip when it is available. The number of sizes can change with Sidecar's available modes or sidebar layout. Radar Display does not offer a separate numeric Resolution or Refresh rate picker on an iPad card.

An iPad does not count as a spare physical screen for the Only active display disconnect guard. Keep a physical screen usable while changing the setup.

How do I show or move the Sidecar sidebar?

Open Show Sidebar on the connected iPad and choose Never, On the left, or On the right. The sidebar contains controls such as modifier keys and access to the Dock or menu bar. Apple's Sidecar guide explains the individual controls.

Moving a visible sidebar can briefly hide and show it while the new position is applied. Never hides it without erasing the preferred side. If the underlying Sidecar controls are unavailable, this row can be absent.

Radar Display reads and changes macOS's Sidecar preferences. If there is no saved sidebar preference, the implementation treats it as shown on the left; your current system preference takes precedence.

How do I show or move the Touch Bar?

Open Show Touch Bar and choose Never, On the top, or On the bottom. Moving a visible Touch Bar can briefly hide and show it. Never hides it without erasing the preferred position.

The Touch Bar can appear in Sidecar even if the Mac has no physical Touch Bar. Apple's Sidecar guide describes this feature.

Radar Display reads the system's preference. With no saved preference, its implementation treats the Touch Bar as shown at the bottom. This row can be absent if the Sidecar control interface is unavailable.

How do I enable Apple Pencil double tap?

Turn on Enable double tap on Apple Pencil on the iPad's card when it is offered. The gesture requires a compatible Pencil and an app that supports the gesture. Apple's Sidecar guide describes its use.

Radar Display changes Sidecar's system preference. With no saved preference, the switch is off. A managed system preference can make this control unavailable. Turning it on does not add gesture support to an incompatible Pencil or app.

Which settings are different from a physical monitor?

An iPad card can offer Use as, Position, the text-size strip, Show Sidebar, Show Touch Bar, Enable double tap on Apple Pencil, and Connection.

It does not offer the physical-display controls for Brightness, Automatically adjust brightness, True Tone, HDR, Preset, Color profile, Rotation, numeric Resolution, or Refresh rate. Adjust the iPad's own brightness on the iPad.

Sidecar overlay and Pencil settings use Apple's preferences, rather than Radar Display's physical-display setting memory. Layout rules and custom names are separate. The app does not automatically restart ended sessions, keep the iPad reachable, or unlock it.

Screens off under Closed Lid Mode does not deliberately disconnect the iPad or turn off its screen. It operates on the Mac's physical external displays.

What should I check if the iPad is missing or will not connect?

1. Unlock the iPad, especially after a restart.
2. Check Apple's account and connection requirements linked above.
3. For wireless use, check the devices' wireless settings and proximity. For USB, check the cable and trust prompt.
4. Reopen Radar Display's panel to refresh discovery.
5. Try the iPad's connection switch again once the previous attempt has finished.

The iPad can’t be found. means the requested device was not found by the Sidecar service. The iPad isn’t reachable. points to current reachability; its detail suggests unlocking a newly restarted iPad or checking Wi-Fi. The iPad didn’t respond. Check its connection and try again. is a timed-out request. Other Sidecar errors can include the system's own explanation, such as a locked device.

If Sidecar also fails through macOS's own controls, resolve that connection first. If it works there but not in Radar Display, send support the exact error, whether the session was Wi-Fi or USB, and the Mac/iPad models and operating-system versions. Sidebar or Touch Bar rows missing by themselves do not prove that the whole Sidecar session is unavailable.