Learn how to use your iPad as a second screen for your Windows computer, either to mirror your PC display or extend it for more workspace.
Extending your Mac screen to an iPad is easy, thanks to the built-in Sidecar feature. But when it comes to using your iPad as a display for a Windows desktop, the lack of native support means you’ll need a third-party app. One of the best options is spacedesk by datronicsoft, which is free for personal use.
We’ll walk you through everything to get set up, starting with the wireless method and covering the wired option at the end. These tips work with all iPad models, including iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini.
Use iPad as a second display for your Windows PC
1) Visit spacedesk.net to download and install the correct version of the spacedesk driver on your Windows PC. The spacedesk app from the Microsoft Store doesn’t seem to work.
2) Then, download the spacedesk viewer app on your iPad from the Apple App Store.
3) Make sure both the Windows computer and iPad are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Note that the app doesn’t require a working Internet connection to work.
4) Open the spacedesk DRIVER Console app on your PC and make sure it’s ON.
Then, open the spacedesk app on your iPad, and in a moment, you’ll see your PC appear here. Tap the underlined Connection: IP address link, then allow the iPadOS app your local network permission.
5) Soon, the spacedesk apps on your iPad and PC will connect, and you’ll see your Windows screen on the iPad. By default, your PC screen is mirrored on the iPad, showing the same content on both devices—but you can change that, as explained below.
Mirror or extend your Windows PC screen to iPad
After setting up spacedesk, you’ll notice that your iPad mirrors your desktop screen, showing the same thing in both places. You can change that and use the iPad as an additional screen by pressing the Windows ⊞ + P keys on your PC and selecting Extend from the project menu. From here, you can also choose to keep just the PC screen or the second screen (iPad, in this case) active.
Move a Windows app to your iPad screen
If you choose to use your iPad as an extended display for your PC, you’ll naturally want to move apps to it. To do that, open the application on your computer and press the Windows ⊞ + Shift + left or right arrow keys.
The app will move to your iPad screen. Use the same keyboard shortcut to move the app back to your computer screen.
Alternatively, you can drag an app window to the edge of your computer screen and push it to your iPad screen, but this can be tricky to get right.
Identify your iPad’s display position in PC settings
Just like macOS, Windows lets you adjust how your additional displays are arranged. So, take a moment to check how your computer thinks your iPad is positioned. This ensures you can move the mouse pointer and apps smoothly across both screens. For example, if your iPad is placed to the left of your PC screen, you’ll want the settings to match—so dragging the pointer to the left edge of your PC moves it onto the iPad screen, and vice versa.
1) Open Settings on your Windows PC and go to System > Display.
2) Make sure you’re using your iPad as an extended display instead of a duplicate display. Then, click Identify to know which number is assigned to a display. Usually, number 1 will be your PC screen and 2 your iPad screen.
3) Now, drag your iPad screen thumbnail left or right to change its position if needed, and hit Apply.
Using an iPad as your Windows PC display
Whether you’re using your iPad as a duplicate or extended display for your PC, you can use your finger or Apple Pencil on the iPad touchscreen to open apps, scroll through web pages, and perform other actions.
One aspect where spacedesk is better than Apple’s Sidecar
While Apple’s Sidecar has advantages, the most prominent being its super high video quality, it has one significant disadvantage compared to spacedesk.
When using Sidecar, you can’t interact with the touchscreen in meaningful ways using your finger—you’re limited to two-finger scrolling and pinch-to-zoom. However, if you have an Apple Pencil, you can use it to open apps and perform other actions during Sidecar.
Thankfully, spacedesk has no such limitation. You can use either your finger or the Apple Pencil on the iPad touchscreen when using your iPad as a monitor for your Windows computer.
Access spacedesk settings
Open the app on your Windows PC and select your iPad under the Connections heading to adjust client settings like size, position, framerate, contrast, and more. However, these options didn’t work for me—your experience may vary.
Stop using the iPad as your Windows PC display
Do one of the following if you no longer want to mirror the contents of your Windows computer to your iPad:
- Swipe up to exit spacedesk, like any regular iPad app.
- Press the Windows + P keys on your computer and select PC screen only.
- Tap the hamburger menu inside the spacedesk app on your iPad and hit Disconnect.
- Open spacedesk Driver Console on your Windows computer and click the OFF radio button.
Fix spacedesk not working on Windows PC and iPad
If you can’t get spacedesk to wirelessly mirror or extend your Windows computer screen to your iOS device, here are some things to check.
- Ensure your iPad and PC are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Allow the iPad app local network permission (Settings > Apps > spacedesk).
- Restart both devices and your Wi-Fi router.
- Make sure ON and Local Area Network are checked in the spacedesk app on your PC, as shown in the screenshot below.
- Try connecting to another Wi-Fi network or Personal Hotspot.
- Delete and reinstall both apps.
Turn off spacedesk notifications on PC
In rare cases of random disconnection, the spacedesk app on your PC may enter into a loop where it sends you a “Connection lost” notification numerous times, even if you keep dismissing them. To fix this, open the spacedesk app on your computer and hit the OFF button. You can also turn off these alerts by going to PC Settings > System > Notifications > spacedesk Notification Application.
Use iPad as a wired display for your Windows PC
If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or prefer working offline, you can mirror or extend your PC display to an iPad over a wired connection.
1) Connect your iPad to your Windows computer using a USB-C or Lightning cable.
2) Open spacedesk on your PC and click Communication Interfaces. Then, check the box for USB Cable iOS and wait for it to activate. While you’re here, make sure the ON radio button is green. Turn off the wireless connection by unchecking the Local Area Network box if you want.
3) Now, open the spacedesk app on your iPad, and you should see a pop-up saying, “spacedesk USB connection recognized.” Tap Connect here to use your iPad as your Windows PC monitor over a wired connection. The rest of the things, like display settings, mirroring, moving apps, etc., work the same way as the wireless method.
Alternatives
This is how you can view the contents of your Windows PC on your iPad for free. If the free spacedesk app doesn’t meet your needs, you can try Duet Display to use your iPad as a second monitor for your Windows PC. Just keep in mind that it’s a paid app with yearly and lifetime plans, though a trial period is available. Additionally, while researching for this tutorial, I came across the LetsView app, but it didn’t work for me and failed to turn my iPad into a companion display for my PC.
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