Mac Mini: Use iPad as Main Monitor (free method)
▶ Overview - This tutorial explains how to use your iPad as the main Display on your Mac using a headless setup. Many videos on YouTube claim you would need LunaDisplay, Duet or even HDMI dummies. Not true!
We will utilize native Sidecar (Apple's integrated feature in OS-X for screen sharing) and are about to trash paid screen mirroring apps, additional hardware and dongles.
I will help you set up this headless sidecar solution using your Mac Mini and an iPad on the Go. We will use BetterDisplay, an open-source application, to create a virtual display that tricks your Mac into thinking a monitor is connected. This lets your iPad act as the Main Monitor for your Mac on Mobile Setups.
▶ Software Guide
0. Requirements: Mac Mini M4; Sidecar-supported Apple Device (e.g., iPad Air 4th Gen iOS 16+)
1. Installation of BetterDisplay (demo version is fully sufficient; I'll replace it with Applescript soon)
Download BetterDisplay here: https://github.com/waydabber/BetterDi...
Open the .dmg file and move the app to the /Applications folder.
2. BetterDisplay Settings
Make sure Autostart is enabled (Within Programs)
Make sure the "HTTP serve"r and "URL schema" settings are toggled (Within Programs)
2. Creating a Virtual Display (dummy monitor) within BetterDisplay
Create a Virtual Display (use the layout of your target device aspect ratio, i.e ipad Air 2020)
Activate your newly created Virtual Display (e.g call it HDMI_DUMMY)
Within your Mac Mini System Settings → Monitors: you'll see the new monitor appear
Connect to Sidecar within Mac Mini System Settings → Monitors; use the + button and you should see your ipad/target device appear)
3. Headless sidecar (start Sidecar automatically)
Great! We only need three things (1. The Mac's ip address; 2. BetterDisplay Parameters, 3. iPad's name)
Mac Mini IP address within the network: (e.g. 192.168.0.42) System Settings → Wifi → Details → TCP/IP
Target/iPad's device name (e.g Ipad1337) which you can view/change inside Settings → General → Name
→ http://MAC-MINIS-IP-ADDRESS:55777/toggle?sidecarConnected&specifier=IPAD_DEVICE_NAME
Awesome, if we insert this information we should get something like
http://192.168.0.42:55777/toggle?sidecarConnected&specifier=ipad1337
Now open your the modified url on your device (e.g. on your target/iPad itself within Safari)
→ You should see a new sidecar session spawning!
▶ Final Notes and Troubleshooting
Ensure autologin is activated on your Mac, unless you have to enter your passcode on every startup without a display attached yet (since BetterDisplay depends on the Desktop environment work)
Ensure that your iPad is compatible and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac (both devices have to share the same Apple ID)
Ensure BetterDisplay is setup for automatic start on login (BetterDisplay Settings → Application)
Ensure BetterDisplay allow http connections (BetterDisplay Settings → Application)
You can always attach lightning or data cable between the target device and the Mac Mini - this will provide a more stable connection!
This will also work on new networks (if network settings sharing is enabled within your iCloud) - you might have to connect the iPad and Mac via a cable to kick off the sync when you enter a new network
Chapters:
00:00 - 00:15 Intro and Step 1 (On Mac: Installation)
00:16 - 00:43 Step 2 (On Mac: Create Virtual Display)
00:44 - 01:08 Step 2.1 (On Mac : BetterDisplay Settings)
01:08 - 01:35 Step 3 (On Mac: Sidecar connections)
01:36 - 01:55 Step 4 (On Mac: Get IP address)
01:56 - 02:14 Step 5 (On iPad: device name)
02:15 - 02:58 Step 6 (Construct Remote Sidecar URL)
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