If you’ve got a spare iPad, it may have crossed your mind to use it as a monitor for a console or just to get an extra screen for your computer. However, iPads are not exactly the same as an external monitor, so can you use an iPad as an HDMI monitor?
You can use an iPad as an HDMI monitor but it will require a supported iPad or an extra dongle depending on exactly how you want to use it. It is not the easiest thing to achieve and you’re better off getting a separate monitor.
Let’s look at some of the ways you can use an iPad as an extra monitor, the hardware you’ll need, and where to enable the correct settings. Screen sharing and remote play apps are one of the easiest ways to get this going but join me as we go through some methods.
How to Use an iPad as a Monitor Using HDMI?
If your iPad has a USB-C or Thunderbolt or USB 4 connector, then plug a USB-C Display AV Adapter or USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter into the charging port on the iPad and then connect an HDMI or VGA cable to the adapter.
From here, it is a simple case of connecting the other end of the HDMI or VGA cable to the TV, or computer.
If you’ve only got a Lightning connector, then you’ll need a Lightning Digital AV Adapter or Lightning to VGA Adapter into the charging port on the iPad.
The Splashtop XDisplay solution will also work, but first requires installing the app on both the iPad and PC. Use the Lightning Digital AV Adapter and an HDMI cable to connect the iPad to the computer, then open up the apps and open up iTunes.
You can also get the app from the App Store itself.
You should get a prompt asking whether you want to trust the device. Click on Trust this Device and it should be connected. If nothing happens, close the apps completely and then unplug and replug the Lightning connector again to see if it tries again.
The app has a prompt for Connect to Computer, that sometimes you have to wait until that is displayed until you connect the cables.
Keep in mind that due to the different resolutions on the iPad and the monitor, you may get blackbars or other strange display artifacts.
iPad as a second monitor without HDMI
With the appropriate cable or adapter, you can connect your iPad to a secondary display, like a computer display, TV, or projector, where you can view the iPad screen.
With Sidecar, you can extend the workspace of your Mac by using the iPad as a second display.
Sidecar requires macOS 10.15 or later and iPadOS 13, and is only available on iPad mini (5th generation and later), iPad (6th generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later) and the iPad Pro.
From the Apple menu, go to System Preferences, click Displays, click Add Display, and then choose Mirror or extend next to your iPad from the list.
You can also access this via the AirPlay icon in the menu bar on your Mac. After that, tap on the option to connect to your iPad.
This extended workspace allows you to use different apps on different screens or use the same app on both screens.
Studio Display automatically turns on when you plug your iPad into power and connect it to your iPad using the Thunderbolt cable, but is only supported on iPad Pro 11-inch or iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later).
Pro Display XDR, which is very similar to Studio Display, is compatible with iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) only.
A cable-free example is to use Duet Display, which you have to pay for via this website.
The Duet Display requires the above linked $10 iPad app, and a wired connection between the two devices, typically via USB-C to HDMI, or Lightning to HDMI. With both types of software running, connect the tablet and see your PC’s desktop extend to its screen.
Can You Use an iPad As a Monitor for Xbox?
This may seem relatively straightforward but is not really feasible.
It may be possible to use Urgod’s Wireless HDMI Transmitter and Receiver, by connecting the iPad wirelessly to the box, and then plugging in the HDMI transmitter to the Xbox. You still may run into some delay issues, however.
If at some point there is a USB-C capture card, then this may allow the possibility, but for now, this does not seem possible. In the end, an iPad is not really a great choice to use as an output device for Xbox.
Can You Use an iPad As a Monitor for PS?
It is possible to stream games from your console using remote play to your iPad, but this is going to require some very decent, stable internet. Even then, you will be getting some delays but it will depend on your internet stability.
Install the app on your iPad, then connect both the PlayStation and iPad to the same account.
After that, make sure you’re on fast WiFi (a wired connection for the PlayStation is fine), and then go into the PlayStation settings, find Remote Play Connection Settings, and put a check next to ‘Allow Remote Play.’
